I feel like Santa Claus right now, because I'm about to give you a glimpse of the November 11 "Brass Fireworks!" concert! I can just imagine your hands rubbing together at this very moment!
If you came to the event, you know how exciting it was....you saw the energy of the audience as they heard this incredible brass band perform musical acrobatics....yet turn around and delicately perform a tender melody.
If you missed then, then you need to kick yourself right now! But I do have the next best thing: video!
And over the next few weeks, I'll release a clip or two here and there. Not all of it, of course. We need to save some for the people that came! But it's enough to hopefully build your resolve to come next time.
And speaking of next time, you'll want to get your tickets to "O, Holy Brass!" before they sell out. As of this writing there are just 152 left.
This video is of an exciting and energetic arrangement of Bach's Toccata in D Minor. I hope you enjoy it!
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Concert Report: BRASS FIREWORKS!
"Brass Fireworks!" was a huge success! We had over 300 people turn out for the concert, which wasn't what we were hoping for, but still represents 430% more attendees than our last full-length concert. It that respect, we can certainly count it as a step in the right direction!
The audience turned out to be a very enthusiastic and generous. The best audience we've played for. The energy of the band fed the energy of the audience, which in turn fed the energy of the band!
We're currently at work editing the audio and video and we'll have some video posted on the website soon.
If you haven't purchased your tickets to "O, Holy Brass!" on December 9, then I invite you to visit our home page where you'll have an opportunity to purchase tickets and pre-order a CD of the concert.
Keep in mind that this next concert can only accommodate 200 attendees, so we expect to sell out the show. If you'd like to be there, then you'll want to purchase your tickets early!
Photos and video are coming soon, so stay tuned...
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
The audience turned out to be a very enthusiastic and generous. The best audience we've played for. The energy of the band fed the energy of the audience, which in turn fed the energy of the band!
We're currently at work editing the audio and video and we'll have some video posted on the website soon.
If you haven't purchased your tickets to "O, Holy Brass!" on December 9, then I invite you to visit our home page where you'll have an opportunity to purchase tickets and pre-order a CD of the concert.
Keep in mind that this next concert can only accommodate 200 attendees, so we expect to sell out the show. If you'd like to be there, then you'll want to purchase your tickets early!
Photos and video are coming soon, so stay tuned...
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
Monday, November 5, 2007
Concert Program Announced!
Hi, folks!
The photo above is from our latest rehearsal just this last Saturday. Things are coming together and I can't wait until November 11! (My fiance can't wait, either...she says I'm not spending enough time with her! It is definitely an enormous amount of work and stress to put together an event like this, but I hope you'll agree it's worth it after hearing the band this Sunday!)
We've settled on the program...though we may pull a couple of surprises for you, yet!
Here's what you'll hear on Sunday:
"Royal Fireworks" by Handel (classical transcription)
"Candide" by Bernstein (classical transcription)
"The Shepherd's Song," (traditional melody) arr. by G. Richards
"My Strength, My Tower" by Dean Goffin (a brass band original!)
"Toccata in D Minor" by J.S. Bach (classical transcription)
A Sousa march for our veterans (don't know which one, just yet)
"Londonderry Air" (a flugelhorn solo)
Fugue from "Falstaff" by Richard Wagner (classical transcription)
"Peace Like a River" (trombone feature) by Stephen Bulla
"Symphony of Thanksgiving" by Dean Goffin (a brass band original)
You may not be as excited as I am looking at this list on paper...but when you hear these 30 brass & percussion musicians actually play these pieces...well...that's where the fun is at!
See you Sunday!
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
Friday, November 2, 2007
Another Video: Abu Hassan
Well...as promised, here's another "underground" video of the L.A. Metropolitan Brass Band from back in May 2006. This time, an arrangement of Carl Maria von Weber's Overture to Abu Hassan.
In listening to this, I believe we just may have assembled an even better band this time around! Be sure and show up on November 11 for some fun and exciting brass band music! RSVP Here.
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
In listening to this, I believe we just may have assembled an even better band this time around! Be sure and show up on November 11 for some fun and exciting brass band music! RSVP Here.
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Rehearsal Report No. 1
Well...last Saturday was our first rehearsal for the November 11 concert. I took a photo to post here, but I keep misplacing my camera! So I decided to just post and add the photo later.
The band was certainly glad to be back together. Ivor, the conductor, was a bit frustrated, however, because we didn't have a full band.
It's simply the result of recruiting the best musicians, I'm afraid. Often, someone gets a paying gig someplace else which conflicts with the rehearsal.
As a former musician myself, I understand the situation: paying gigs take precedence, plain and simple. We just have to work with what we've got until we have a budget to pay our musicians.
We were short a few trumpet players, had no bass trombone, and only one percussionist. But all the other parts were covered.
In all, it was a great rehearsal. (Just not according to Ivor! He was ready to cancel the whole thing if we didn't have a full band for the next rehearsal. Don't worry, though--we're NOT canceling. It's simply a challenge to overcome. Every organization has it's birth pains.)
I'm excited about the program we have lined out for the concert. Our next rehearsal is this Saturday, and we should (keyword "should") have a full complement. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
We'll also know our complete program by then and will post it here in about a week.
Stay tuned...
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
P.S. Don't forget, you can get instant access to a 17-minute video of the brass band simply by telling three friends about us. Fill out the form here:
http://www.lametrobrass.com/tell-friends.html
The band was certainly glad to be back together. Ivor, the conductor, was a bit frustrated, however, because we didn't have a full band.
It's simply the result of recruiting the best musicians, I'm afraid. Often, someone gets a paying gig someplace else which conflicts with the rehearsal.
As a former musician myself, I understand the situation: paying gigs take precedence, plain and simple. We just have to work with what we've got until we have a budget to pay our musicians.
We were short a few trumpet players, had no bass trombone, and only one percussionist. But all the other parts were covered.
In all, it was a great rehearsal. (Just not according to Ivor! He was ready to cancel the whole thing if we didn't have a full band for the next rehearsal. Don't worry, though--we're NOT canceling. It's simply a challenge to overcome. Every organization has it's birth pains.)
I'm excited about the program we have lined out for the concert. Our next rehearsal is this Saturday, and we should (keyword "should") have a full complement. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
We'll also know our complete program by then and will post it here in about a week.
Stay tuned...
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
P.S. Don't forget, you can get instant access to a 17-minute video of the brass band simply by telling three friends about us. Fill out the form here:
http://www.lametrobrass.com/tell-friends.html
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A Brass Band Profile...
I just found this interesting video on YouTube, from a UK newscast that gives some interesting insight into the British brass band tradition. The L.A. Metropolitan Brass Band is based on the British-style brass bands, so this is a look at our heritage!
As you watch, keep in mind that many British towns and corporations sponsor their very own brass band. There is a whole tradition of these bands competing against each other in championship competitions, which is still going on strong today. These bands are amateur ensembles, though many are good enough to be professional...some even contain all professional musicians (though I believe there are certain rules regarding that when it comes to competitions).
This video highlights the Betteshanger Brass Band, formerly associated with the Betteshanger Colliery (a coal mine).
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
As you watch, keep in mind that many British towns and corporations sponsor their very own brass band. There is a whole tradition of these bands competing against each other in championship competitions, which is still going on strong today. These bands are amateur ensembles, though many are good enough to be professional...some even contain all professional musicians (though I believe there are certain rules regarding that when it comes to competitions).
This video highlights the Betteshanger Brass Band, formerly associated with the Betteshanger Colliery (a coal mine).
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
Monday, October 22, 2007
An Exclusive 17-Minute Video Excerpt...
I hope you're enjoying these videos that recently resurfaced. They're a bit "underground," but that makes them all the more appealing!
(By the way, the trombone feature from the last post is called "Peace Like A Rive," arranged by Stephen Bulla.)
I've got another for you...
It's a powerhouse of a piece called "The Lord Is King," written in three movements by a Salvation Army composer named Ray Steadman-Allen.
But there's a catch this time.
You see, we need all the "word of mouth advertising" we can get, and you can help us with that. If you'd be willing to tell at least three of your friends, family, or acquaintances about the band, I'll give you instant access to this 17-minute video excerpt.
All you need to do is fill out the form here...
www.LAMetroBrass.com/tell-friends.html
Once you've filled out the form, you'll be taken immediately to the video page.
Enjoy!
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
(By the way, the trombone feature from the last post is called "Peace Like A Rive," arranged by Stephen Bulla.)
I've got another for you...
It's a powerhouse of a piece called "The Lord Is King," written in three movements by a Salvation Army composer named Ray Steadman-Allen.
But there's a catch this time.
You see, we need all the "word of mouth advertising" we can get, and you can help us with that. If you'd be willing to tell at least three of your friends, family, or acquaintances about the band, I'll give you instant access to this 17-minute video excerpt.
All you need to do is fill out the form here...
www.LAMetroBrass.com/tell-friends.html
Once you've filled out the form, you'll be taken immediately to the video page.
Enjoy!
J. Aaron Stanley, President
L.A. Metro Brass Band
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