Posted by Alloy Brass on September 26, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Alloy Brass has relocated!
We're now located in Madison, NY, within 30 minutes of the campuses of Colgate University, Hamilton College, SUNY Morrisville, Cazenovia College and Utica College.
We're just an hour from Syracuse, and just under five hours from New York City.
We have a 480 square foot rehearsal space (with 12' ceilings), and we're ready to dive into some brass music.
We're currently looking for the following:
Trumpet
Horn
We're always interested in meeting new brass players of all levels. If you're interested, drop us a line at alloybrass@gmail.com
Posted by Alloy Brass on June 3, 2016 at 2:55 PM
To those of you who may be looking to enjoy some live brass music during Grand Old Days, my new quintet will be playing at Mims Photography this Sunday at noon. 1746 Grand Ave St. Paul. Come on out!
MIMSPHOTO.COM
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 19, 2011 at 9:48 AM
We're back at it!
After almost a year of dormancy, we've found an arrangement that works, at least for now. And besides losing Bill Simenson, our wonderful first trumpet to scheduling conflicts, our founding horn player, Neil Okerlund has also opted for other projects. So for horn, we've turned to Marjorie Black and our trumpet chair is being filled by Geoff Senn. The rest of the group is filled out by Brad Bellows on euphonium, Greg Lewis on second trumpet and Scott Lewis (no relation) on tuba.
We all met in Brad's living room and played the following:
#335 Two Pieces: Honie Suckle and Night Watch
#47 Holst Second Suite
#151 Ewald #3, all four movements
#190 Bothnian Rhapsody
We're looking forward to meeting again this week.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 3, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Here's a unique opportunity. I quote Scott Stulen:
"I am writing for assistance in finding musicians, specifically brass and percussionists, for a site-specific performance on the Stone Arch Bridge for the upcoming Northern Spark Festival. This is going to be very cool and please let me know if you are interested, available or know anyone that fits this description. Particularly if you know any college or high-school marching bands members....
Full details here.
http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=1020
This is going to be a huge spectacle and hopefully a memorable experience for all.
Thanks for your help,
Scott
--
Scott Stulen
Project Director, mnartists.org
Director, McKnight Artist Fellowship for Photographers
Phone 612.375.7616 | Fax 612.375.5802
Walker Art Center | 1750 Hennepin Avenue | Minneapolis | Minnesota 55403 |
www.facebook.com/scott.stulen "
Posted by Alloy Brass on November 17, 2010 at 5:36 PM
If you've been wondering what Alloy has been up to since the summer, I'll tell you. Bill's schedule has gotten overbooked, what with teaching, playing and writing. He finally had to make the decision to drop something, and unfortunately, it was Alloy. Bill improved the musicality of the group tremendously, and for that we are extremely appreciative. Best of luck to Bill in all future endeavors.
The other unfortunate ramification of this development is that Bill had the keys to the rehearsal space! So now we're in the process of looking for a new first trumpet and a place to rehearse.
If anyone has an idea, drop me a line, and thanks.
Posted by Alloy Brass on June 4, 2010 at 9:19 AM
Join the West Bank School of Music on August 21, 2010 from 7:30 to 9:10 pm at beautiful Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis for a free public concert. The third annual faculty showcase presents these great bands that will get you up and dancing.
Siama Matuzungidi and Friends
Featuring WBSM's guitar instructor Siama playing African and Afro-Caribbean music
Black Blondie
Featuring the WBSM's pianot and bass teachers Tasha Baron and Liz Draper playing soulful R & B with and experimental twist.
Information at www.westbandmusic.org and http://www.minneapolisparks.org/documents/activities/concerts/Lake_Harriet.pdf
West Bank School of Music Summer Classes
Posted by Alloy Brass on June 4, 2010 at 9:11 AM
The schedule of summer classes at the West Bank School of Music has been released.
From among the thirteen classes listed, you can choose Jazz History and Listening presented by Stefan Kac, Building Vocal Confidence I and II presented by Bobbi Miller, or Music Theory for the Guitar, Level I and II presented by Dale Dahlquist.
All classes are 90 minutes long and cost $110 unless otherwise noted on the schedule. The WBSM is located at 1813 S. 6th St in Minneapolis, 55454. Find the complete schedule at www.westbankmusic.org.
Posted by Alloy Brass on June 4, 2010 at 9:02 AM
All regular occupants in their usual chairs.
Alloy is preparing for an upcoming wedding performance on Saturday, June 26. We'll be performing after the service and before the reception, and to that end among the pieces on the program, we've begun polishing the following:
186 Things Left Unsaid, Mike Nelson
317 Quintet, mvt. 1, Malcolm Arnold
295 Two Improvisations on Folk Songs, mvt 1, Bernard Stevens
320 One Hand, One Heart from West Side Story, Bernstein/Sondheim
313 Minnesota Rouser, Floyd M. Hutshell
293 Cork Songs, Declan Townsend
76 English Folk Song Suite, Vaughn Williams
It's an outdoor wedding and the couple wanted it to be non-traditional, so I've tried to give the program the feel of a summer event, like an ice cream social, but with some more challenging moments.
Posted by Alloy Brass on June 2, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Just a quick note to let you know about a performance by our own Neil Okerlund and his woodwind quintet, Prevailing Winds. The group performed at the St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church in Saint Paul on Monday, May 24, 2010 to a very full house.
There were three "discovered" pieces on the program. Serenade, by Bryan Kelly, a work in four movements discovered in the Hennepin County Library stacks, Quintet by J. M. Weber in four movements from the Groth Music files, and Three Moods in three movements (!) by Andrey Rubtsov, discovered on YouTube.
It was a pleasant and challenging program, well received by the audience.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 31, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Marjorie Black sat in for Neil on French Horn this evening.
Tonight we ran:
351 Wind Breezes Bend the Trees, Viitasaari
186 Things Left Unsaid, Nelson
325 Music for Brass Instruments, Dahl
171 Suite, Grainger
287 Voyageurs Suite, Bartholomew
46 Quintet #1, mvt. 3, Ewald
The session was recorded downstairs at the WBSM.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 31, 2010 at 8:47 AM
All regular members in attendance.
Tonight's program:
284 Folk Song Suite, Bulla
257 Summer's Song, Di Stefano
311 Renaissance Dances
221 Carriage Drive, Mozart
295 Two Improvisations on Folk Songs
The session was recorded downstairs at the West Bank School of Music.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 18, 2010 at 5:43 PM
The usual suspects were present.
Tonight we played:
309 Ninetta Polka
312 Eljen a Magyar Polka
293 Cork Songs by Declan Thomas
313 Minnesota Rouser
210 Jupiter by Gustav Holst
288 Colchester Fantasy by Eric Ewazen
45 Adagio by Mozart
Again, I recorded tonight’s meeting, and after some work earlier in the week, I believe I have found the magic combination. I hope to be able to post some new sound samples in the very near future.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 18, 2010 at 5:42 PM
All regular attendees present.
Tonight’s selections:
140 Boyce Suite, mvt III and IV
166 Simple Gifts by Copeland
335 Two Pieces by Holborne
320 West Side Story, mvt. 6, 7, 8
190 Bothnian Rhapsody by Jukka Vittisaari
284 Folk Song Suite by Stephen Bulla
171 Grainger Suite by Percy Grainger
246 Back to the Future 2 by Alan Silvestri
I made another attempt to record tonight’s meeting. There are still some input settings that need to be worked out.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 3, 2010 at 2:06 PM
This upcoming Wednesday, May 5, 2010 our own Brad Bellows will be performing at the Artist's Quarter with his jazz quintet, Valves meet Slide. Joining Brad are Dave Graf on trombone, Chris Lomheim on piano, Bassist Gordy Johnson and drummer Mac Santiago. The gig runs from 9:00 pm to 12:30.
Check out some past performances here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTgres5DOeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47T6dAZYxnY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx43nPaZu24
Info about the Artists' Quarter can be found here.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 1, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Gus Lindquist subbed for Greg Lewis on Trumpet II.
Tonight we ran:
Quintet #1 by Ewald
Quintet #3 by Ewald
Brass Calendar by Schickele
Quintet by Arnold, mvt.1
Tonight's rehearsal was recorded, but the mic setting was too high and the loud passages were clipped. Adjustments will be made in future attempts.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 1, 2010 at 9:51 PM
No rehearsal this evening.
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 1, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Gus Lindquist subbed for Greg Lewis on Trumpet II.
Tonight we ran:
#211 An American in Paris by Gershwin
#228 Music for His Majesty's Sackbuts and Cornets by Locke
#210 Jupiter by Holst
#219 Rags for Brass by Joplin, Lampe, and Holzman
#286 Yankee Doodle Fanfare by Mayer
#201 Gymnopedie #1 by Satie
#171 Suite by Grainger, mvt 1,2,3
#348 Moroccan Leigionaire by Vittisaari
#287 Voyageurs Suite by Bartholomew
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 1, 2010 at 9:38 PM
All regular members in attendance.
Tonight we ran:
#166 Simple Gifts by Copeland
#317 Quintet by Arnold, mvt. 1
#155 Quintet #2 by Ewald, mvt. 1,2,3
#171 Suite by Grainger
#102 Smatronld by Grieg
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 1, 2010 at 9:31 PM
All regular members in attendance.
Tonight we ran:
#287 Voyageurs Suite by Bartholomew
#317 Quintet by Arnold, mvt 1, 2, 3
#75 Contrapunctus IX by Bach, in oberservance of his birthday
#293 Cork Songs by Declan Townsend
#295 Two Improvisations on Folk Songs by Bernard Stevens
Posted by Alloy Brass on May 1, 2010 at 9:30 PM
No rehearsal this evening.