Canadian Brass

After the performance, the Pritchards spoke with the group about performing in Gaithersburg. “The Canadian Brass is five world class musicians who are used to playing venues such as the Kennedy Center, Strathmore and Wolf Trap but who also believe strongly in music education and the importance of it for today’s youth. When we approached them to see if they would play, they said yes,” Becky said.The importance of music education plays a key role in the life of each member of the Canadian Brass. While traveling around the world, they often pause to work with students and young audiences. The Canadian Brass is currently artist in residence at the University of Toronto and has created an innovative brass summer course at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Each member is uniquely attuned to training the next generation of brass players.

This week, students from eight schools in the Gaithersburg area had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work and perform with the Canadian Brass. Seventeen brass players from Quince Orchard High School (QOHS), Lakelands Park Middle School (LPMS), Rachel Carson Elementary School (RCES) and several other area schools played with the brass ensemble, while an additional 44 academy students played with the QOHS Honors Symphonic Band. The brass players are members of the three brass ensembles offered at Pritchard Music Academy.

On April 16, the students participated in a rehearsal of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” composed by J.S. Bach, with the Canadian Brass on the Kentlands Main Street pavilion green. They performed the piece together in concert on April 17 at QOHS.

Chris Hunter, an LPMS sixth grader, has played the trombone for three years. “I picked the trombone because I thought it would be cool to be able to move my instrument instead of just pushing buttons,” said Chris at the rehearsal. While he was excited about playing with the world-famous group, he admitted to some nervousness. “I’m nervous because if I mess up, it makes the Canadian Brass look bad.”

Mary of Nazareth sixth grader Jonah Mittelstadt has played the trumpet for less than two years. “I’m very excited to perform with the Canadian Brass. I have a music sheet book by them and have heard about them for a long time,” Jonah said.

Joe Poetzschke and Bradley Jones, 11th grade trumpet players from QOHS, were also eager for opportunity to play with the Canadian Brass. “I’m not nervous because I know they are better than me. There’s no competition,” Joe said.

Management and logistics for the concert were undertaken by Pritchard Festival Productions, the production company established by the Pritchards in 2011 to manage concerts and large-scale performances. In 2011, the Main Street Music Festival managed by the Pritchards staged eight weekly summer performances at the Kentlands Main Street pavilion.

The Pritchards intend to divide any profits earned from the April 17 Canadian Brass performance equally between QOHS, LPMS, RCES and a scholarship fund administered by Pritchard Music Academy.

click here to read the original article