The High Priests of Brass American Brass Quintet at ASU’s Farthing Auditorium October 23rd Special to The Mountain Times The American Brass Quintet has been universally hailed as today’s leader in the field of serious brass chamber music. The ensemble is the longest continuously performing brass quintet in North America, and has performed on the world’s major concert stages to accolades from audiences and critics alike. The internationally renowned ensemble will perform on Saturday, October 23 at 8 pm in Farthing Auditorium, Boone. The concert is part of the 2004-05 Performing Arts Series at Appalachian State University, presented by the Office of Cultural Affairs. The American Brass Quintet will perform the world premiere of High Country musician and composer William Harbinson’s Quintet No. 1 for Brass at ASU’s Farthing Auditorium on Saturday, October 23. In connection with their visit to Boone, the musicians of the American Brass Quintet will participate in a “Brass Chamber Music Forum” consisting of performances and master classes featuring many of the world’s finest brass musicians. The event is sponsored by Appalachian’s highly acclaimed Mariam Cannon Hayes School of Music, the Office of Cultural Affairs, the Hubbard Center for Faculty Development, and ACMP Foundation. When it comes to brass quintets, there is only one that Newsweek has hailed as “The High Priests of Brass”: the American Brass Quintet. Performances by the ensemble feature repertoire ranging from their own definitive editions of Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces to commissioned works by significant contemporary composers. The October 23rd concert program will feature 17th century dances, Melinda Wagner’s Brass Quintet, music of the 26th NC Regimental Band, Eric Ewazen’s Colchester Fantasy, Josquin des prés’ Chansons, and the premiére of William Harbinson’s Quintet No. 1 for Brass. Members of the New York Brass Quintet, currently celebrating their 50th Anniversary season, will join the ensemble for Giovanni Gabrieli’s Venetian Canzoni. (One of the ensemble’s original members, Robert Nagel, will perform with the group). According to The New York Times, “the brilliance of their playing is matched by the extraordinary sonics: crystalline definition, airy spaciousness, superb presence, and an overall clarity that is positively breathtaking.” Founded in 1960, the American Brass Quintet recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary season. Almost since its inception, the quintet has toured both nationally and internationally, and has performed in virtually all of the world’s major cities, concert halls, and music festivals. The quintet also presents a formal concert series in New York City each season and is the only brass quintet ever presented on PBS’ Live From Lincoln Center. The American Brass Quintet is currently comprised of Raymond Mase and Devin Cobb (trumpets), David Wakefield (horn), Michael Powell (trombone), and John Rojak (Bass trombone). Past members of the ensemble have included such legendary brass players as Gerard Schwarz, Robert Biddlecome and Louis Ranger. The ABQ recently released its 45th recording, adding to a discography that represents the largest body of serious brass chamber music ever recorded by one ensemble. The quintet is Ensemble-in-Residence both of The Juilliard School and the Aspen Music Festival. The appearance by the American Brass Quintet is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Brass Chamber Music Association, Inc., and the Southern Arts Federation. Media sponsors for ASU’s Performing Arts Series include The Mountain Times, Watauga Democrat, WFDD Public Radio, WNCW-FM, WDAV – Classical 89.9 fm, WETS-FM, Aisling Broadcasting, Mountain Television Network, and Charter Communications, Inc. For additional details about the Brass Chamber Music Forum, please call 262.6455. Tickets for the October 23rd performance are $8 for students, $14 for seniors and ASU faculty and staff, and $16 for all others. For more information or to order tickets, call the Farthing Auditorium Box Office at 800.841.2787 or 262.4046 in the Boone area. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available online at: www.oca.appstate.edu.