Copper Street Brass was Here Yesterday.

http://www.csbq.org/

Every once in a while something comes along and you remember why you got into teaching.

Yesterday was one of those days.

My teaching partner is constantly looking for listening opportunities for our students and has the energy to chase down grants to make those opportunities happen.  Thank you Westonka Foundation, Target Foundation and Band Boosters for your generosity.  Let me assure you it was money well spent.  Thanks, Gretchen for making it happen.

The Copper Street Brass Quintet has as varied a repertoire as any brass quintet that I have heard.  I was expecting baroque and got Brubeck and Adele too.

Virtuoso players and a great rapport with the young audience made for an enjoyable afternoon concert in our "gymnacafatorium."  It is hard to entertain and teach middle schoolers the day before a long weekend, but this group held their attention well.  We have pretty darn good kids here, but you have about 2 minutes to impress our kids before they check out on you on a day like this.

Performance-wise, I was impressed with the members of the group.  Frequently, brass quintets seem to be forums for show-casing trumpet players.  This group has the trumpets to do that, but the horn, trombone and tuba get their chance to shine too. (and BOY do they!)  It has been a while since I have heard masterful trombone, tuba and horn soloing.

Spreading things around like that will do wonders for my program, if for no other people than my low brass players.

Thanks again to everyone who made it happen.

If you get the chance, check out the CSBQ.  Visit their website.  Have them over.  It will be good.