Formed
in 1995, The Bay Brass, is comprised of a cooperative of
players from the San Francisco Bay Area's leading performing
organizations including the San
Francisco Symphony, the San
Francisco Ballet Orchestra, the San
Francisco Opera Orchestra, and the San
Jose Symphony. The aim of the group is to present both
large-scale symphonic brass ensemble works and compositions for
smaller combinations of players in acoustics which complement the
wonderful sound of brass. In addition, The Bay Brass programs
concerts of remarkable diversity, combining the traditional brass
repertory with jazz and other contemporary styles, including the
works of some of today's most influential composers.
As a true cooperative, The Bay Brass has no principal players and
no music director - only a core of musicians who share equally in all
of the organizational and musical responsibilities of the group.
Members of the ensemble also conduct, arrange, and compose, allowing
for maximum musical growth and enjoyment for each member. Another
important priority is the commissioning of new works in an effort to
expand and enhance the brass repertory.
Since its inception, The Bay Brass has performed many concerts in
the Bay Area including those at San Francisco's Grace
Cathedral, Davies Symphony
Hall, and the University of
California - Berkeley. The group has premiered numerous new works
for brass including, most recently, the West Coast Premiere of
Michael Tilson Thomas' Street Song with the composer conducting. The
Bay Brass was also one of the featured performing groups at the 1996
International BrassFest held in Long Beach, CA. and has been
presented on radio broadcasts throughout the Bay Area.
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It's
not too early to be thinking about the
featuring the Bay Brass at the Menlo School
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The
American Composers
Recording Project
a brief overview
(video temporarily removed) |
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Michael
Tilson Thomas conducts a recording session of his Street
Song for Large Brass Ensemble
(video temporarily removed) |
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Bruce Broughton in a recording
session of
his Bay Brass commission Fanfares, Marches, Hymns and
Finale
Alasdair Neale records
Three Fanfares by John Williams
(video temporarily removed) |
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Bay Brass Christmas
CD
still a classic for Christmas 2007!
buy it here!
Or at Amazon.com!
In January 2000, the Bay Brass
recorded its first CD with organist John Fenstermaker at Grace Cathedral.
The CD features Christmas brass and organ music taken from many of our
holiday performances along with some exciting new arrangements done
especially for this recording!
We were also fortunate to have
as our recording engineer
Shawn Murphy, one of the most respected names in the recording industry.
The editing was done by Bob Wolff of Sony Classics, so you know the
sound and impact is amazing!
This CD is now available at your local CD store - just
remember to be careful with the volume level on your stereo when you
crank it up...
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"If you're looking for festive Christmas music by brass and
organ, you won't find a better recording than this one...Bay Brass
is a truly wonderful brass ensemble with a full-bodied sound and
no rough edges."
- American Record Guide, Nov/Dec 2000 |
Thank you for visiting our site. For additional information about The Bay Brass,
or to join our mailing list
please contact Jonathan Ring at 510/652.6277 or by email at jringmrath@support.net
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These pages last changed on 12 August 2007
