Group History
“These are the men who put brass music on the map: with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor, they brighten the rosters of concert halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout the world. Their numerous recordings, frequent television appearances and tireless efforts in the realm of music education have resulted in vast new audiences for the art of the Canadian Brass.”
- Washington Post
Five tremendous brass musicians — each a virtuoso in his own right — form the legendary Canadian Brass. With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earned the distinction of “the world’s most famous brass group.”
Friends Chuck Daellenbach and Gene Watts first came together in 1970 to form a brass quintet — a chamber music setting not entirely new, but never before having garnered the success and storied career Canadian Brass would achieve over the next 40 years. Initially, Gene took on the role of developing new repertoire while Chuck was the moving force in marketing, publishing and managing the group. Three empty chairs were quickly filled and together, the group’s imagination and consummate musicianship elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today. Here was not only an opportunity to explore the possibilities of an all-brass chamber group but a challenge to bring the sound and the excitement of brass music to new audiences.
The varied Canadian Brass repertoire features brass standards as well as a wide-ranging library of original arrangements created especially for them. These include the works of Renaissance and Baroque masters, Classical works, marches, holiday favorites, ragtime, Dixieland, Latin, jazz, big band, Broadway and Christian music as well as popular songs and standards. Having started with a very limited base, Canadian Brass has created their own musical world by transcribing, arranging and commissioning more than 200 works, including critically acclaimed compositions from Michael Kamen, Luther Henderson, Bramwell Tovey, Don Gillis and more. They have transformed a previously neglected group of instruments with a limited repertoire into a versatile and vital ensemble that can play everything from Gabrieli to Gershwin! Canadian Brass is especially noted for their famous Holiday Concerts at Christmastime and was at the forefront of re-establishing Scott Joplin with today’s audiences through their research, arrangements and recordings of his “rags” and other works.
With a discography of over 100 albums and an extensive world-wide touring schedule, Canadian Brass is an important pioneer in bringing brass music to mass audiences everywhere. They have sold well over 2 million albums worldwide, with 1.2 million sold in the Nielsen Soundscan era alone (since 1991). They continue to score Billboard chart positions — most recently with their rousing recording of patriotic songs and marches, Stars & Stripes: Canadian Brass Salute America, which spent 8 weeks in the Top 25 on the Billboard Classical Chart during the summer of 2010, peaking at #2! Touring legends with an enthusiastic fan base, the Canadian Brass play to packed houses everywhere throughout the USA, Canada, Japan and Europe. They were the first brass ensemble from the West to perform in the People’s Republic of China (where they returned for a 5-city tour to great acclaim in the spring of 2010) as well as the first brass group to take the stage at the venerable Carnegie Hall. They have also performed in Australia, the Middle East, the Soviet Union and South America. On numerous occasions Canadian Brass has been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of states, becoming one of Canada’s greatest resources and musical ambassadors.
Masters of concert presentations — from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects — Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences. Whatever the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication, skill and excellence. The hallmark of any Canadian Brass performance is entertainment, spontaneity, virtuosity and, most of all, fun.
Millions of television viewers have had Canadian Brass come into their homes with appearances on The Tonight Show, Today and Entertainment Tonight and recently to more than 1/2 a billion viewers for Chinese New Year. They have appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ Music Around the World, numerous PBS specials, including a celebrated appearance on Sesame Street, and are frequent guests of many major symphony orchestras. Canadian Brass were the featured artists on the soundtrack to the 1988 film The Couch Trip, starring Dan Aykroyd and Walter Matthau. Consummate artists, the quintet has also created unique and interactive videos that have gained an international audience including a series of DVDs featuring the brass in concert and teaching. They are on the cutting edge of technology offering their fans multimedia airplay, downloads and youtube videos and streaming opportunities as well as digital applications with iPhone and other smartphone carriers. You can find them twittering and on facebook with their fanbase growing daily!
Education plays a key role in the story of Canadian Brass and each member is uniquely attuned to training the next generation of players. On their travels around the world, they often pause for master classes and are more than happy to work with students and young audiences. Canadian Brass is currently Artist in Residence at the University of Toronto after having been Chamber Quintet-in-Residence for many years at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, and has created an innovative brass summer course at the Eastman School of Music. A vital part of their outreach is their role as clinicians and exclusive artists for Conn-Selmer Musical Instruments, conn-selmer.com/. The Brass perform exclusively on a set of 24K gold-plated Artisan Bach and Conn horns, and their support of education is also clearly viewed in their outreach and interaction with El Sistema, the acclaimed global music education program in Venezuela and their in their new partnership and commitment to the Conn-Selmer Institute, csinstitute.org/. In conjunction with the Hal Leonard Corporation, the Canadian Brass have also made available, an extensive library of brass music for performers of all levels as well as learning tools, all in conjunction with the Hal Leonard Corporation, halleonard.com/
Since 1998 Canadian Brass has been a recording artist at Opening Day Entertainment Group, openingday.com releasing 20 CD’s on the label with their next recording to be released in January of 2012 by classical music retailer ArkivMusic.com.
Canadian Brass is Chuck Daellenbach (tuba), Caleb Hudson and Christopher Coletti (trumpets), Achilles Liarmakopoulos (trombone) and Eric Reed (horn) and are represented by IMG Artists in New York. http://www.imgartists.com/
With four decades under their belts, Canadian Brass continues to thrill audiences around the world – and they don’t look like they are letting up anytime soon!
Canadian Brass: Current Members
Chuck Daellenbach
Chuck Daellenbach has brought music, imagination and humour to Canadian Brass since the group was formed in 1970. Playing a key role in all of the group's ground- breaking projects, world travels and on over 100 recordings, Chuck and his gold-plated & carbon fiber tuba are the bedrock of the massive Canadian Brass repertoire – from Baroque to jazz. Chuck comes from a long line of German and Swiss musicians and, during his upbringing in Wisconsin, his father gave him daily music lessons.
As a teenager, Chuck began studies with legendary Chicago Symphony tuba player, Arnold Jacobs and throughout his career whenever possible would stop in to see his mentor, Mr. Jacobs.
After earning a Ph.D. at the age of 25 from the Eastman School of Music, Chuck headed north to teach at the Music Faculty at the University of Toronto. His academic plans were soon derailed when he met trombonist Gene Watts. Together they formed this unique brass quintet with Chuck on tuba.
For the next 38 years Gene and Chuck guided Canadian Brass to the top of their field, through thousands of wonderful perfor- mances and fantastic opportunities including two "command" performances for the Queen of England. Chuck's dialogue during concerts has kept audiences engaged (and in stitches) for many years helping to establish a bridge of appreciation for great music of all types to musicians and non-musicians alike. Possibly the most recognized tuba player in the world, having appeared on over 100 recordings, Chuck has performed with many of the greatest musicians and conductors of the last 40 years.
The definition of a multi-tasker, Chuck always has several projects in the works at once and somehow keeps track of it all. Among his various projects is a series of 200 brass works published by Hal Leonard, many accompanied by CDs, played by music students around the world. He is President of Canadian Brass Publishing as well as Opening Day Entertainment Group, the group's record- ing label. Chuck has also enlisted the services of his wife, MB, a fine musician in her own right, to do A&R, production and direct social media for Opening Day as well as support the management of the Brass in Canada.
download Chuck's press sheet here.
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Achilles Liarmakopoulos
Achilles Liarmakopoulos is the newest member of the legendary Canadian Brass. A native of Greece, Achilles is an established and award-winning trombonist dedicated to performing a wide variety of musical styles and often premiers works by emerging composers who have written specifically for him. Achilles is not only committed to reviving important works from the music archives, but also devotes much time to researching and supporting the expansion of the Canadian Brass repertoire.
Achilles has given solo recitals in the USA, China, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Greece. He was the Principal Trombonist for the Greek Radio Symphony -ERT for four seasons and has performed as a member with many leading orchestras worlwide.
Holding degrees from the Yale University-Yale School of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music the San Francisco Conservatory and the Philippos Nakas Conservatory, Achilles' studies have been financially supported by merit-based scholarships including the Bok. Foundation, the Milton L. Rock Annual Fellowships, the Henry & Lucy Moses Fund Inc., Alexandros S. Onassis Foundation and the Greek State Scholarship Foundation. Upon graduation, Yale University awarded him with the prestigious "Philip Francis Nelson Prize" which is given for outstanding musicianship and entrepreneurial spirit.
Achilles has earned honors in many prestigious competitions. At the age of 18, he gave two solo performances at the Walt Disney Hall as the Grand Prize Winner of the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition, judged by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He continued on to win prizes in the Christian Lindberg International Competition, the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe (YMFE) the International Trombone Festivals, "Robert Marsteller/Conn-Selmer", "Solo" "Larry Wiehe" competition, to name a few.
As part of an exclusive agreement between Conn-Selmer and Canadian Brass, Achilles plays a 24k gold-plated Bach 42B trombone.
For more information about Achilles visit achillestrombone.com
download Achilles press sheet here. Show all
Chris Coletti
Since joining Canadian Brass in 2009, trumpeter/arranger Christopher Coletti has performed hundred of concerts, TV and radio appearances around the world with the group, recorded 4 billboard chart-topping/award-winning CDs, filmed multiple music videos, and arranged a plethora of music that The Brass has recorded and regularly performs. Canadian Brass' dedication to music education is a perfect fit for Coletti who enjoys sharing his unique perspective as a full-time performer, active educator, and recent college graduate with students and fellow teachers.
Coletti received his Masters Degree from The Juilliard School and his Bachelors Degree from Manhattan School of Music which he completed in just 3 years. Throughout his education, Coletti received multiple awards and scholarships, and won a number of competitions including the Music Academy of the West Chamber Concerto Competition, Manhattan School of Music Concerto Competition, LaGuardia Arts Concerto Competition Staten Island Symphony Concerto Competition, The Tanglewood Music Center Charles E. Culpeper Foundation Fellowship and Susan B. Kaplan Fellowship,The Juilliard School Frieda and Harry Aronson Scholarship, and The Manhattan School of Music President Scholarship.
Coletti got his professional start as Principal Trumpet of The Huntsville Symphony in Alabama. Comfortable in many musical styles, Coletti has performed with a wide range of musicians ranging from Yefim Bronfman, Pierre Boulez, Michael Tilson Thomas and Ricardo Muti to Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan, and Miami Sound Machine. Coletti has perfect pitch, is a proficient whistler, and has the unique ability to sing an operatic high C.
Coletti performs exclusively on Bach Artisan Trumpets, (Bb, C, Eb and Piccolo), Bach Cornet 184ML and Conn "Vintage 1" (V1) Flugelhorn.
download Chris' press sheet here.
Compositions and Arrangements by Chris
America the Beautiful (Stars & Stripes) Available for Brass Quintet
My country 'Tis of Thee (Stars & Stripes)
Waltzes (Brahms on Brass)
Song of the Guerrillas (Hunan TV Spring Festival)
Mo li Hua (Chinese traditional melody arranged and performed many times in China)
Carmen orchestration (Performed often but not recorded nor for sale as sheet music)
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Caleb Hudson
joins the Canadian Brass having graduated from the Juilliard School in 2012 with a Bachelor and Master of Music degree and made his solo debut this season with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Caleb has performed in music festivals including the Verbier Festival, Music Academy of the West and the Aspen Music Festival, where he was soloist with pianist Vladimir Feltsman in a performance of Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 for Piano, Trumpet and Orchestra. Hudson has won first place at the National Trumpet Competition multiple times, and has performed with the New York City Ballet, New World Symphony, Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, New York Trumpet Ensemble, Ensemble ACJW and the American Brass Quintet. An avid baroque musician, Caleb also performs with notable period ensembles including Philharmonia Baroque, American Bach Soloists, The American Classical Orchestra, Concert Royal and the Trinity Baroque Orchestra. Native to Lexington, Kentucky, Caleb is principal trumpet of Symphony in C and is completing his time with the prestigious Academy post-grad program from Carnegie Hall, in NYC where he resides with his wife, Amanda.
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Eric Reed
Eric Reed, French horn, has established himself as a versatile performer, having appeared as a soloist, chamber artist and orchestral musician throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
He has been a member of the Oregon Symphony, New World Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, Ensemble ACJW and Burning River Brass, as well as a founding member of the Spectrum Brass Quintet. As an active freelance musician in New York City, he has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, New York City Opera and International Contemporary Ensemble, as well as with the Florida Orchestra and Kansas City Symphony. Also active in commercial and contemporary genres, Eric has performed as a member of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, and has regularly appeared with Gary Morgan's Latin big band, PanAmericana! He has been a regular substitute at numerous Broadway shows, and has played in back-up groups for Ray Charles, Wynton Marsalis and Boyz II Men.
Eric, who at age 9 already played piano, was encouraged to play the horn by his musician parents. His studies took him to Rice University to study with William VerMeulen and Roger Kaza and then to The Juilliard School with Julie Landsman.
While at The Juilliard School, Reed became a fellow at The Academy - a music program sponsored by Carnegie Hall and The Juilliard School for the finest young professional musicians today. It is designed to develop the artistic values and skills necessary for careers that combine musical excellence with education, community engagement, advocacy, and leadership. Eric often writes for various blogs and magazines supporting young players new to the music world such as The Horn Zone, an online publication of the International Horn Society geared toward younger readers.
IIn January 2010, when Canadian Brass was to perform in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, Eric was invited to perform. Little did he know that those three performances were in fact his audition! Reed formally joined the Brass in September 2010 and has already toured extensively with the group from China to Europe and supports Canadian Brass & Conn-Selmer outreach with personal appearances. As part of the exclusive agreement between Conn-Selmer and Canadian Brass, Eric performs on a 24K gold-plated "Vintage" model Conn 8D.
An avid yoga and golf enthusiast, Eric resides in New York City and is happily married to the lovely violinist, Sarah Zun.
download Eric's press sheet here.
Arrangements by Eric
Arranged for Brass and Organ
Gabriel Faure (accent aigu on the e)
Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11
Our Instruments
The Canadian Brass performs exclusively on instruments manufactured by Conn-Selmer Inc. under the legendary brands Vincent Bach and C. G. Conn. Skillfully handcrafted, each instrument is a blend of classic design, elegant styling, and signature sound, beautifully culminating with the Canadian BRass trademark 24K gold-plate finish.
Bb Trumpet |
Bach Artisan Stradivarius model AB190 | |
C Trumpet |
Bach Artisan Stradivarius model AC190 | |
Eb Trumpet |
Bach Artisan Stradivarius model AE190 | |
Piccolo Trumpet |
Bach Artisan Stradivarius model AP190 | |
Cornet |
Bach Stradivarius model 184 | |
Flugelhorn |
C. G. Conn Vintage One model 1FR | |
Horn |
C. G. Conn Vintage 8D model V8D | |
Trombone |
Bach Stradivarius model 42B | |
CC TUBA |
C.G. Conn 2J Model |
Canadian Brass: Emeritus Members
Gene Watts, trombone (1970-2010)
Gene Watts is the other half of the "Chuck & Gene" team, who are the original creators of Canadian Brass. In 1970 when the ensemble began, Gene had already carved out an orchestral career with orchestras in North Carolina, San Antonio and Milwaukee. Gene came to Toronto when he was hand-picked by Seiji Ozawa as principal trombonist for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Soon he met Chuck Daellenbach (tuba) and the two set out to create a new model for brass quintets, which has been widely emulated but not yet matched. Gene's life is steeped in music. He grew up in a musical family in Sedalia, Missouri, where he listened to mostly dance bands and sat in with local jazz groups. He financed his music studies at the University of Missouri in Columbia with his Dixieland band, the Missouri Mudcats. Gene further developed his lucid, elegant style during studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston, and his love for music expanded from baroque and classical to the newest sounds in concert music and jazz. His alma mater recently awarded him an honorary doctorate in music. The Watts philosophy of music has guided the Canadian Brass for over 30 years. His intuition often shapes the group's repertoire, and on stage his quick wit plays off Chuck's as they work the microphones to the delight of audiences.
Gene shares his life-long interest in meditation with the group, keeping down stress levels through months of touring. He lives in Toronto with film maker Barbara Sweete.
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Ron Romm, the longest-tenured trumpet player in the Canadian Brass, was a born musician. All members of his family in California played music – from classical to jazz – and for a while made music together as the dance band The Romm-Antics. On a scholarship at the University of Southern California, Ron played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He continued free-lancing in New York where he received two music degrees from The Juilliard School of Music. “I grew up listening to everything, from opera to rock’n'roll, and I played both Broadway and classical concerts in New York, so when The Canadian Brass called it was the perfect match for me”, says Ron. Canadian Brass had radical ideas, mixing styles and reaching audiences with acting and humor, though the music always was seriously well played. Ron’s unerring technique and beautiful tone fit right in. His warmth and laid-back California style have audience appeal, as he continues to turn the trumpet into the music itself. Ron is Professor of Trumpet at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ron Romm, trumpet (1971-2000)
Ron Romm, the longest-tenured trumpet player in the Canadian Brass, was a born musician. All members of his family in California played music - from classical to jazz - and for a while made music together as the dance band The Romm-Antics. On a scholarship at the University of Southern California, Ron played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He continued free-lancing in New York where he received two music degrees from The Juilliard School of Music. "I grew up listening to everything, from opera to rock'n'roll, and I played both Broadway and classical concerts in New York, so when The Canadian Brass called it was the perfect match for me", says Ron. Canadian Brass had radical ideas, mixing styles and reaching audiences with acting and humor, though the music always was seriously well played. Ron's unerring technique and beautiful tone fit right in. His warmth and laid-back California style have audience appeal, as he continues to turn the trumpet into the music itself. Ron is Professor of Trumpet at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Visit his web site
Show all Canadian Brass: Timeline
Canadian Brass
| TRUMPET | TRUMPET | HORN | TROMBONE | TUBA | |
| 2012-13 | COLETTI | HUDSON | REED | ACHILLES | CCD |
| RIDENOUR | |||||
Past Canadian Brass
| TRUMPET | TRUMPET | HORN | TROMBONE | TUBA | |
| 2011-12 | COLETTI | RIDENOUR | REED | ACHILLES | CCD |
| 2010-11 | COLETTI | RIDENOUR | REED | DYRDA | CCD |
| 2009-10 | RIDENOUR | ||||
| 2008-09 | RIDENOUR | ||||
| LAFRANCE | |||||
| 2007-08 | BURGSTALLER | RIDENOUR | NELSEN | WATTS | CCD |
| LAFRANCE | |||||
| 2006-07 | RIDENOUR | ||||
| LAFRANCE | |||||
| 2005-06 | EMERICH | SCULLY | |||
| 2004-05 | LAZARUS | ||||
| LAUGHTON | |||||
| 2003-04 | |||||
| 2002-03 | |||||
| ANTHONY | BURGSTALLER | NELSEN | WATTS | CCD | |
| 2001-02 | |||||
| 2000-01 | |||||
| 1999-00 | |||||
| 1998-99 | ROMM | JENS | COOPER | ||
| 1997-98 | |||||
| OHANIAN | |||||
| 1996-97 | |||||
Vintage Canadian Brass
| TRUMPET | TRUMPET | HORN | TROMBONE | TUBA | |
| 1995-96 | |||||
| 1994-95 | |||||
| 1993-94 | |||||
| 1992-93 | |||||
| 1991-92 | ROMM | MILLS | OHANIAN | WATTS | DAELLENBACH |
| 1990-91 | |||||
| 1989-90 | |||||
| 1988-89 | |||||
| 1987-88 | |||||
| 1986-87 | |||||
| 1985-86 | |||||
| 1984-85 | ROMM | MILLS | HACKLEMAN | WATTS | DAELLENBACH |
| 1983-84 | |||||
| 1982-83 | |||||
| 1981-82 | |||||
| 1980-81 | ROMM | MILLS | PAGE | WATTS | DAELLENBACH |
| 1979-80 | |||||
| 1978-79 | |||||
| 1977-78 | |||||
| 1976-77 | |||||
| 1975-76 | |||||
| 1974-75 | |||||
| 1973-74 | |||||
| 1972-73 | |||||
| 1971-72 | |||||
| 1970-71 | |||||
Discography
Albums
Videos and DVDs
Awards
Grammy Awards
- 2000 Grammy Win
Hornsmoke- Peter Schickele
- 2000 Grammy Nomination
“A” Train written by Luther Henderson
- 1993 Grammy Nomination
” The Canadian Brass: Home Movies ” was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Long Form Video in 1993.
see the nomination certificate here.
From the 2000 press release:
One Grammy Award winner, plus another nomination as Best Classical Crossover Album in 2000.
At the 42nd Grammy Canadian Brass takes great pride in two of the six Best Classical Crossover Album Grammy nominations this year.
First, of course, their own Take the “A” Train written by Duke Ellington’s own arranger, Luther Henderson.
Second, that of a CD created around the Canadian Brass signature showstopper Hornsmoke . Composer Peter Schickele is the featured performer in this and other works commissioned by the Canadian Brass in the 1970′s.
And the winner is: Hornsmoke ! – Congratulations, Peter!
Juno Awards
Canadian Brass has been nominated for JUNOs fourteen times … unprecedented for a classical ensemble!
- 2012 – Best Classical Album: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Brahms On Brass - 2011 – Best Classical Album: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Spirit Dance - 2006 – Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Magic Horn - 1995 – Best Classical Album: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Gabrieli For Brass - 1990 – Best Classical Album: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Gabrielli & Monteverdi: Antiphonal Music - 1990 – Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass - 1989 – Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass - 1987 – Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass - 1986 – Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass - 1985 – Instrumental Artist(s) of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass - 1984 – Best Classical Album of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Brass In Berlin - 1984 – Instrumental Artists of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass - 1981 – Best Classical Album of the Year
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: The Village Band - 1978 – Best Album Graphics
Artist: Canadian Brass
Title: Unexplored Territory
- 1985 Canadian Music Industry Awards
Visit the JUNO Awards
Echo Klassik
- (German Music Industry Award, 2002) in the category Chamber Music Recording goes to Canadian Brass ” Goldberg Variations ” (BMG/RCA).
Silver Rose
- ” The Canadian Brass: A Christmas Experiment ” was given the Silver Rose Award (best in its category) at the Golden Rose Festival in Montreux , Switzerland, 1998.
Ensemble Awards
- UMS Distinguished Artist Award
On May 8, 1999, The Canadian Brass received the 1999 UMS Distinguished Artist Award in Ann Arbor, MI.
- Tri-M Music Award
TriM-Logo Canadian Brass were presented the Tri-M Music Award at the MENC National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, in April 1998.
The following is the presentation speech given by Donna Stark Fox, National Chair.
“It is an honor to stand before you today to introduce you to the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Tri-M, known as Modern Music Masters, is a society with more than 2,900 chartered chapters worldwide. It was founded to recognize the musical excellence and achievement of its members. These students (present at ceremony) represent New York and Pennsylvania. They are not only members, but true advocates for music education and they are proud to be delegates to this MENC National Convention. At this time they will share the honor of Tri-M Membership with these five gentlemen who have inspired with their musicianship, their leadership, and with their service to the musical profession, to music education and to children through their partnership with MENC. We welcome the Canadian Brass as honorary members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.”
- Best Brass Ensemble in Global Classical Music Poll by Classical Insights in 1997.
The Canadian Brass has been voted Best Brass Ensemble in the first-ever Global Classical Music Poll in 1997.This special online poll was conducted by N2K’s Classical Insites. Thousands of classical music fans from more than sixty countries voted for their favorite classical artists, composers, ensembles, recordings, as well as a host of other categories.
- An honorary doctorate was awarded to The Canadian Brass in 1993 by the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.
- The first honorary doctorate bestowed on the Canadian Brass was from Hartwick College in 1993. This SUNY school of music is Fred Mills’ undergraduate alma mater.
Individual Awards
- The members of the Canadian Brass received the degree Doctor of Letters from McMaster University in May 2000.
- Gene received an honorary doctorate from the University of Missouri 2002.