I just got back from Philadelphia where I attended the Temple University Wind Symphony concert, featuring the Canadian Brass. This was an excellent night, both for the quality of the ensemble at Temple--truly excellent--and the legit playing of the Brass. The Brass were the featured soloists on a piece called "Shaker Suite" by R Wright, Suite from Bernstein's "Mass", and "Manhattan Music" by B Tovey. These are an 80% new group, only Chuck and 4 young-20's guys who play their butts off. The trombone player, a Canadian named Keith Dyrda [22 years old, from McGill!] just dominates the stage with his playing. The 2 trumpets are spectacular, the hornist equally brilliant. Chuck is still Chuck, but it looks like his 4 sons up there.
The ensemble from Temple is extremely well-trained, playing difficult music very well. Jay Krush [of Chestnut Brass] is low brass instructor, and they reflected their teacher's high standards quite well.
It was nice to see the C Brass play some very serious music, and play it so very well. Catch them if you want to hear some brilliant brass playing from the young generation.
2 thumbs up. Absolutely excellent all around!