Kennesaw State Brass Blast

On March 2, 2019, the brass department at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Kennesaw, Georgia, hosted around 70 young brass players for the annual KSU Brass Blast. Featured guests this year were the Quintasonic Brass Quintet, with trumepters  Vince DiMartino and Jason Dovel, hornist Matthew Haislip, trombonist Alex van Duuren, and tubist Alex Lapins.   


Quintasonic Brass at KSU

The day began with breakout sectionals for each instrument. This portion of the day gave participants the opportunity to meet and learn from the KSU brass faculty. 


High school trumpet participants for Kennesaw Brass Blast

After the fundamentals session, the students rehearsed their ensemble selections then moved to the main hall for a presentation by Quintasonic Brass. The group gave a recital and then opened the floor for questions of a variety of pedagogical, professional, and musical topics.

The afternoon sessions kicked off with another ensemble rehearsal to prepare for the final afternoon concert. The members of the Quinatsonic Brass joined the ensemble rehearsals for the second half of the time. The various members of the quintet gave feedback, discussed brass topics, and played for the students.

After a long and fruitful day of rehearsals and classes, the concert commenced.  The afternoon concert featured each instrument ensemble, the Georgia Brass Band, and members of the Quintasonic Brass as soloists. The concert concluded with a mass brass ensemble version of Nimrod from Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations


Trumpeters Vince DiMartino and Jason Dovel perform Horowitz with the Georgia Brass Band

The Kennesaw State Brass area would like to thank the KSU School of Music, Schilke Instruments, and Rich Ita for their generous support of this day. It was a treat having Quinatsonic Brass on campus, and we look forward to future collaborations.


Student and faculty participants for the Kennesaw Brass Blast

After the recital, the students adjourned for lunch and the exhibits. The students were keen to try out all the great brass exhibits that Rich Ita brought with him this year!

(Source: Doug Lindsey)

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