Lauded as “the world’s most famous brass group,” Canadian Brass will present the kick-off concert for the 2011-12 season of Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Yost Center on the Hesston College campus.
“Since I have been involved with HBPA, we’ve received more patron requests for Canadian Brass than any other artist or ensemble,” says HBPA Director Matthew Schloneger. “When one thinks of entertaining brass music, one immediately thinks of Canadian Brass, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to bring them to this series.”
The quintet – made up of Chuck Daellenbach on tuba, Achilles Liarmakopolous on trombone, Eric Reed on French horn and Brandon Ridenour and Chris Coletti on trumpet – has created a wide repertoire featuring brass standards, as well as original arrangements highlighting Renaissance and Baroque masters, classical works, marches, ragtime, Latin, jazz, big band, Broadway and Christian music. Their HBPA performance will also feature several arrangements of popular Beatles tunes.
The group has had 22 members since its founding by Daellenbach and Gene Watts in 1970 and has created more than 90 albums and has an extensive world-wide touring schedule. They are no strangers to the Billboard charts and spent eight weeks in the Top 25 on the Billboard Classical Chart during summer 2010 with their recording of patriotic songs and marches “Stars and Stripes: Canadian Brass Salute America,” peaking at number two.
Aside from having performed to packed houses on five continents, Canadian Brass has also appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Today,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and as guest artists on “Evening at Pops” with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ “Music Around the World” and numerous PBS specials, including an appearance on “Sesame Street.” They are often guest artists of many major symphony orchestras and were featured on the soundtrack to the 1988 film “The Couch Trip.”
Each of the current members are accomplished soloists, having played with major symphony orchestras around the world. They also frequently teach master classes of their respective instruments to aspiring musicians during their travels.
Prior to the HBPA concert, Canadian Brass will perform as part of the grand opening of the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.
“To put Canadian Brass’ renown in perspective, tickets for the Kauffman Center performance started at $1,000 and are sold out,” says Schloneger. “Yet you can see them in Hesston for $20.”
Other concerts in the series include chamber ensemble St. Petersburg Quartet, YouTube musical sensation Igudesman and Joo, traditional Irish music and dance rhythms with the highly acclaimed Celtic Crossroads and ancient choral music by Rose Ensemble. Visit www.hesston.edu/hbpa for dates and times.
“We have a great variety of performers this year,” says Schloneger. “A season ticket to the series is a great value, and it’s not too late to purchase tickets.”
Single ticket prices for Canadian Brass range from $20 to $24, depending on seating section, with discounts available to students and senior citizens.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 620-327-8158 (Hesston College) or 316-284-5205 (Bethel College), email hbpa@hesston.edu or visit the HBPA website at www.hesston.edu/hbpa.
This program is presented in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, with generous underwriting by area patrons.
The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series, now in its 30th year, started in 1982 as the Hesston Performing Arts Series (HPA) with funding and planning provided by Hesston College and the Hesston community. In 1998, HPA planners launched a partnership with Bethel College (North Newton) and the name changed to Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts. Hesston College and Bethel College host five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year.