Professional Brass Ensembles - Week II

This week we will focus on large professional ensembles. Here is basically a copy of the class lecture outline with hyperlinks to the ensemble websites:

Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
• Founded in 1951 (started as a quartet, quintet by 1961, 10 members by 1970)
• Over 36 recordings
• Philip Jones retired in 1986, died in 1990 at age 71.
• The Odyssey of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble - McDonald. Editions BIM 1986
• Spin-offs: London Brass (1986), Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble (1992)

German Brass
• Founded in 1974 (founded as a quintet, 10 members by 1975)
• Over 6 recordings (+DVD)
• German Brass Academy

Summit Brass
• Founded in 1985 (16 piece brass ensemble, optional percussion)
• 9 recordings
• Affiliated with Summit Records and Rafael Mendez Institute

Black Dyke Band
• Founded 1855 (British Brass Band) *150 years of performing and touring
• Over 39 recordings
• National Brass Band Champions (England)

Besses O' the Barn Band
• Founded 1818
• More than 4 recordings
• Numerous British Competition titles, International touring

Grimethorpe Colliery Band
• Founded 1917
• Over 23 recordings ( including Soundtrack to Brassed Off)
• Winners of 19 competitions from 1932-1945
• First brass band ensemble-in-residence at Royal College of Music in London
• Conducted by Elgar Howarth (among many)

Proteus 7
• Founded 1994
• Mixed Septet (2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 tuba, 1 percussion, 1 reed player)
• Dorian Label, 4 recordings

Symphonia
•Founded 1995, Winston Morris (Tennessee Tech.)
• 3 recordings
• Comprised of American tuba and euphonium professors and soloists