Seattle Symphony Brass Masterclass Series begins next week

[Chris Olka]

Hello all. Thanks for the great response to the tuba ensemble query for the UW. On a sort of related topic, I have been working for the last two years to develop a Brass Masterclass series through the Seattle Symphony that would be free to the public and be targeted to all brass players of all levels and ages. I am happy to announce that this has come to pass and the first class will be this next Tuesday night at 6:30PM in the Soundbridge at Seattle Symphony's Benaroya Hall. It is free to everyone and the first class will cover Brass playing fundamentals for all the Brass instruments. The Class will be moderated by the new principal brass players of the Seattle Symphony including David Gordon, Principal trumpet, Jeff Fair, assistant principal horn, Hamod Abu-Eid, acting Principal trombone and myself on tuba. There will be one class a month for the next 4 months culminating in an All-Star Brass ensemble of Masterclass participants of high-school and college age giving a concert in late May or early June. Each class will focus on a particular aspect of Brass Playing for all of the brass instruments. For example, the second month will focus on solo playing with performances of solo rep. from each of the above listed players, the third class will be chamber music with a Symphony Brass quintet and finally a class concerning large ensemble playing, i.e. orchestra and wind ensemble.

It is my sincere hope that this class will be well attended to show the management of the Symphony that this is an important offering to the community. All of the players of the brass section that are involved are volunteering their services and there will be no charge because I have secured sponsorship for the incurred expenses.

Please show how important furthering the art of Brass Playing is to all of you in Seattle by spreading the word and attending if you can.

Thanks in advance to all of you who come and thanks to Sean Chisham for providing this forum for us to PUT OUT THE WORD.

Sincerely,
Chris Olka
Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera
University of Washington
Cheers623@aol.com