Our History

The Tule British Brass Band is a community ensemble with traditional British brass band instrumentation. Founded in the spring of 1996 by a number of music educators, the band was created as an avenue to continue a brass band tradition that began at CSU Fresno under the direction of Dr. Ritchie Clendenin. Originally known as the Visalia Community Brass Band, the Tule British Brass Band gave their debut concert at the First Baptist Church of Visalia in 1996. Featured soloists were Dr. Ritchie Clendenin and Mr. Jim Kusserow. Since that first concert the band has continued to perform throughout Central California.

The Tule Brass Band currently has members from three counties and is the oldest ensemble of its kind in the San Joaquin Valley. The band plays approximately six concerts a year in a variety of venues around the communities of Tulare, Visalia, and Porterville.

Traditional instrumentation includes the use of both B-flat and E-flat cornets, a flugelhorn, E-flat alto horns, baritones, euphoniums, trombones, E-flat and B-flat tubas, and percussion. The brass band plays a variety of literature consisting of marches, hymn tunes, classical excerpts, and contemporary pieces, The music has either been arranged for the ensemble or was written specifically for the brass band.

Competition is an important part of the brass band tradition. Each band in any one category is required to play one selection that is the same for all bands in that category. These pieces are very challenging and test the skill level of all band members from first chair players all the way to the back of every section. Some of the test pieces this band has performed include: The Four Cities Symphony, The Petite Suite de Ballet, and Little Suite for Brass. This year the band will begin work on World Tour by Rodney Newton.

The band is currently under the direction of Mr. Eric Farrenkopf. Our concerts are always free and open to the public. We hope that you will be able to attend an upcoming performance.

Pictured: John Kincaid (left), Eric Farrenkopf (right)

My Time with the Brass Band

Eric Farrenkopf - Director

My first exposure as a musician in the brass band came during the spring semester of 1992 at California State University, Fresno. During spring semesters at CSU, Fresno, the university offered a brass band ensemble that was led by Dr. Ritchie Clendenin. The brass band quickly became one of my favorite ensembles while at the university as an undergraduate student. Dr. Clendenin would select a wide variety of music for the brass band. In addition, the band was able to work with graduate students who were pursuing their masters degrees in conducting. A few years into my studies at Fresno State University, the brass band evolved into a year round ensemble. We were very fortunate to have the likes of Professor Philip Wilby work with the band when he would travel to the states. Other opportunities D.r Clendenin provided was providing live music for the new student convocation held at CSU Fresno. In addition to the convocation, Dr. Clendenin would have the brass band perform at the Collegiate Wind Band Festival, which was held annually at CSU Fresno. The brass band was also able to present live music to students though the young person’s holiday concert and through participation with the Civil War Reenactment held on the grounds at Kearney Mansion in Fresno.

As I was preparing to graduate with my bachelor of arts degree, Dr. Clendenin charged me with the task of starting and running a brass band in the southern central valley. Dr. Clendenin generously gave the band music from his library and was our featured guest artist at our debut concert which was held in February of 1996 at what was First Baptist Church of Visalia. Following that debut concert, we have continued to hold free concerts in Tulare County. During the summer of 1996, Dr. Clendenin was able to secure an invitation for me to participate in the Colorado Brass Band in Gunnison, Colorado.

Through my time with the Colorado Brass Band, I have had the pleasure of meeting many talented musicians. It is here when I begin a friendship with the late John Kincaid. Mr. Kincaid also was willing to share music with us in California, and gave me a week each summer to play in a brass band where I was exposed to new literature and was able to make professional connections with various ensembles from throughout the United States. There has been a profound impact on me as the director of the Tule Brass Band as well as my teaching because of the impact from both Dr Clendenin and Mr Kincaid. In addition to these two I have been given the gift of having so many wonderful music educators help and support me and the band through this journey. I wish to acknowledge and thank Dr. Lawrence R Sutherlund, Dr. Richard Mayne, Dr. Don McLauren, Dr. John Wacker, Dr. Steve Siegel, Dr. Brett Keating, Mr. Michael Tackett and Ms Elisha Wilson. Thank you to the above for your support of the brass brand and to me professionally.