Canadian Brass to Participate in Pre-Concert Master Class at ISU

Before they perform in an 8 p.m. concert in Bloomington on Sunday, Jan. 31, the members of the Canadian Brass will present a free master class for brass musicians at 5 p.m. at Illinois State University's Center for the Performing Arts.

The Canadian Brass, founded in Toronto 40 years ago, has a long history of concert performances and recording.  They have more than 90 recordings, which include the works of Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven and Wagner. 

Millions of television viewers have seen the Canadian Brass in such shows as "The Tonight Show," "Today" and "Entertainment Tonight."  They have appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops and numerous PBS specials. 

There were few traditional compositions for brass when they began performing, so Canadian Brass created their own musical world by transcribing, arranging and commissioning more than 200 works.  They are not only presenting works in the classical repertoire but continue to leap into jazz, contemporary concert music and popular songs.

Because they care about the next generation of brass musicians, members of the Canadian Brass often make themselves available for master classes while on concert tours.  Canadian Brass is the chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, Calif., and they have created an innovative brass summer course at the famous Eastman School of Music.