Easter is a big time for brass players. Every church wants a group to add to their worship service, and each of our members probably had to turn down a couple of churches this year. It’s nice to see things coming back from the scary pandemic years. Our Easter 2024 was spent with the inaugural service of the Messiah Lutheran congregation that meets at the Rosalind Hills Baptist church facility. So we were very excited to play for two congregations.

For the services, we played the Bankelsangerlieder (which my best sources tell me translates from German into “the Bench Singer’s Song) and Haydn’s Achieved Is the Glorious Work as a rousing postlude (which actually prompted people to hang around and listen to the end!) We also played along with the choir and a few hymns.

You may notice that we have a couple of new members. Timothy Murphy (bottom left) on trumpet is a local school music teacher. He and his wife recently had a baby, so please congratulate them when you come to see us next. Also Dr. Marc LaChance (upper right) is new on tuba. Marc is the Director of Bands at Roanoke College. He is normally a talented trombone player, but has agreed to help us out on tuba. Lise’ (bottom center), Elmore (bottom right) and me (Matt, upper left) are founding members.

Star City Brass is excited to be working on a lot of new music. Initially we worked on ceremonial music for weddings and churches, and then worked on more pop music styles including an ABBA medley, Frankie Valli. And of course we had to work up some Christmas tunes (secular and sacred) for two performances of Dickens of a Christmas and the annual St. Andrews gig.

But lately we’re working on some American theme music including a suite from Bernstein’s West Side Story, a Stephen Foster medley, Ashokan Farewell (from Ken Burns Civil War documentary), of course Sousa marches, some Charles Ives and other surprises.

But also we’re working on some more serious quintet classics like Ewald #1, Suite From the Monteregian Hills, and a newish reduction of Marquez’ Danzon #2. So you can see we’re busy expanding our repertoire.

We would be very happy to come play for your event or organization. Give me a call (540.748.1138), send an email (matt@starcitybq.com) or just leave a comment here at our site.