MIRARI brass quintet

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“The Mirari Brass Quintet presented a virtuosic program that thrilled and inspired our audience. Equally at home performing everything from Renaissance transcriptions to Charles Mingus charts, the ensemble is quickly establishing itself as one of the premier groups of its kind.”

–Dr. James Boldin, University of Louisiana-Monroe

“It was like someone pressed shuffle on my iPod and found all my favorite music. The Mirari Brass Quintet performs a dynamic mix of genres that delights. Beautifully executed and lots of fun!”

–Cynthia Johnston Turner, Director of Wind Ensembles, Cornell University

“These stellar musicians are the perfect combination of talent and insight. Their performances are full of contagious musical expres-sion, and their master classes are clear and simple, yet have a dramatic effect on the way students play with one another.”

–Cory Mixdorf, Georgia State University

“The quintet’s performance was flawless, energetic, and captivat-ing, as well as being educational and entertaining. The group demonstrated advanced knowledge and communication skills when working with the students, who were inspired to reach new levels in their own performances.”

– Dr. Kathryn Aducci, San Jose State University

“The Mirari Brass Quintet presented a program that was thorough-ly enjoyable and expertly executed! The variety and pacing of the selections kept the entire audience engaged. The original compo-sitions and arrangements by trumpeter Alex Noppe are a great addition to the repertoire.”

–Dr. Travis Bennett, Western Carolina University

Engaging and eclectic, the Mirari Brass Quintet

brings a spirit of joyful collaboration and innovation

to music spanning many centuries and genres. The

commissioners of multiple new works for brass, the group

performs a spectacular tight-rope act, balancing intensity with

levity and refined virtuosity with pure fun.

Now in its seventh season, Mirari has performed extensively

across the United States, performing in more than twenty-

seven states, and appearing in concert residencies at numer-

ous universities, including University of Missouri-Kansas City,

Truman State University, Pacific Lutheran University, Cornell

University, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, the

University of Louisiana, San Francisco State University, Brigham

Young University-Idaho, and many more. In 2014, Mirari was a

featured artist at the International Tuba & Euphonium Conference, and in 2015 at the International Trumpet Guild Conference.

Throughout their existence, Mirari Brass has been dedicated to commissioning and arranging new works to expand the brass quintet genre; since

2009, they have added more than two dozen works to the repertoire. In one of their most popular projects, the group commissioned Rome Prize

winner and Guggenheim Fellow Eric Nathan to write Spires, a major work based on a set of overlaid architectural drawings by Julie Mehretu. This

piece later became the title track of their debut album, Spires (2012). Reflecting the multi-faceted interests and diverse talents of its members,

Mirari leans heavily towards commissioning composers who have backgrounds apart from the brass idiom, such as choral (Austin Jaquith), theater

(David Sisco), and jazz (Louis Romanos). Group members have also contributed a number of arrangements and original compositions.

All collegiate music professors, the members of Mirari showcase their passion for music education through master classes, clinics and outreach

performances for students of all ages. They have presented clinics on topics such as Fearless Performance, Yoga for Musicians, and Creative

Improvisation, examining all aspects of life as an artist.

As a central tenet of the group all the members share an admiration and respect for each other not only on stage and in music, but also in

friendship. Mirari Brass is Alex Noppe andMatthew Vangjel (trumpets), Jessie Thoman (horn), Sarah Paradis (trombone), and Stephanie Frye (tuba).

short bio

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PHOTO BY JASON ALDRIDGE

MIRARI brass quintet

www.arielartists.com G booking@arielartists.comSPIRITS TO ENFORCE art to enchant

ARTISTSAriel

RECYCLED, REUSED, RENEWED

Nobody steals from other instruments quite as well as the brass

quintet! A program from the brand new Mirari Brass album of the

same name, Recycled, Reused, Renewed celebrates music that has

been adapted from its original intent. Audiences will be delighted by

works borrowed from strings, piano, voice, and jazz combo, as well as

a major piece originally for brass (John Cheetham’s virtuosic and

dazzling A Brass Menagerie) in its second revision.

Works on “Recycled, Reused, Renewed” include:

Alex Noppe, Canyon Run

Claude Le Jeune (arr. Noppe), Revecy venir du printans

John Wilbye/Thomas Vautor/William Byrd (arr. Stephanie Frye), English

Madrigals (selected)

Noppe, Elegy

Felix Mendelssohn (arr. Verne Reynolds), String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat

major, Op. 12

Enrique Crespo, Suite Americana

Giacomo Puccini (arr. Tony Rickard), “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot

Eugene Bozza, Sonatine

David Sisco, New work TBA

Thad Jones (arr. Noppe), A Child Is Born

Charles Mingus (arr. Noppe), Moanin’

NOT-SO-CLASSICAL BRASSTired of hearing Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart?! We aren’t, but

here’s a little something more current. This program features music

from the 20th and 21st centuries and explores the versatility of the

brass quintet through more popular idioms. There is a touch of op-

era, musical theater, jazz, and even contemporary popular music.

Walking in to hear a brass quintet, you might not expect to see

names like Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, Stevie Wonder, or Imogen

Heap on the program, but that is exactly what you get. It promises

to be a fun and entertaining mixture of music performed at the

highest level. We (secretly) always wanted to be in a cover band…

Works to be performed on the “Not-So-Classical Brass”

program include:

Stevie Wonder, Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Thad Jones, A Child is Born

Charles Mingus, Porkpie Hat

Charles Mingus, Haitian Fight Song

Chick Corea, Spain

Giacomo Puccini (arr. Tony Rickard), “Nessun Dorma” from

Turandot

Imogen Heap, Hide and Seek

Enrique Crespo, Ragtime

Enrique Crespo, Vals Peruano

Stephen Schwartz, “Defy Gravity” (from Wicked)

Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story Suite

Caprice Fox, Silence of Time

David Sisco, Visages

John Cheetham, Percolate

program offerings

PHOTO BY JASON ALDRIDGE

MIRARI brass quintet

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program offerings (cont.)

MUSIC OF OUR ROOTS

American music at its core is an art based on synthesis, influenced

by the tonal language and formal construction of Europe, the sound

sets and improvisatory nature of African music, and the rhythmic

grooves from Central and South America. Each of the works on

this program draws in various ways from those roots and each

comprises a unique combination of styles that interact in often

unpredictable ways. As brass instruments can be found in nearly

every genre of American music, the Mirari Brass Quintet is an ideal

vehicle to interpret and present these works. In addition, each of the

composers featured here (save one) are from the Americas.

Works to be performed as part of “Music of Our Roots” program

include:

John Cheetham, A Brass Menagerie

Enrique Crespo, Suite Americana

Caprice Fox, Silence of Time

Louis Romanos, TBA

Eric Nathan, Spires

Rich Campbell, American Riffs

John Stevens, Hodesanna

Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story Suite

Charles Mingus, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and Haitian Fight Song

MEET THE BRASS QUINTETCompared to string quartets, piano trios, and many other chamber

groups, the brass quintet as a serious genre of music is still in its

infancy. As such, the Mirari Brass Quintet has made it a key compo-

nent of its mission to develop, expand, and promote original brass

quintet repertoire. This multi-faceted program will take the listener

through a tour of traditional brass quintet repertoire, contemporary

quintet compositions, and works written specifically for Mirari.

Works to be performed on the “Meet the Brass

Quintet” program include:

Eugene Bozza, Sonatine

John Cheetham, Brass Menagerie

John Cheetham, Percolate!*

Enrique Crespo, Suite Americana

Anthony DiLorenzo, Firedance

Michael Kamen, Quintet

Elliot McKinley, Six Movements for Brass Quintet*

Eric Nathan, Spires*

Alex Noppe, Elegy*

Alex Noppe, Canyon Run*

David Sisco, Visage*

John Stevens, Hodesanna

*Indicates works commissioned by the Mirari Brass Quintet

PHOTO BY JASON ALDRIDGE

MIRARI brass quintet

www.arielartists.com G booking@arielartists.comSPIRITS TO ENFORCE art to enchant

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OUTREACHHere are a couple of the Mirari Brass Quintet’s outreach offerings for

elementary-aged kids. They are more than happy to custom-design ad-

ditional programs as well.

THE SCIENCE OF SOUND

How do brass instruments work? What are the differences between

them? How do you make so many sounds? These are some of the ques-

tions we are often asked by young students, and we will demonstrate

the answers through a range of interactive games.

MIRARI BRASS GOES TO THE ZOO!

Story time with the brass quintet. We play two animal-based works for

quintet along with narration that introduce students of all ages to the

sonic possibilities offered by brass instruments.

SPECIALIZED LECTURES/DEMONSTRATIONSThe Mirari Brass Quintet offers a variety of lecture/demonstrations

on more specialized topics, often led by specific members of the

group These can be tailored as necessary to suit the needs of any

given audience, and can be mixed and matched as well.

Topics include:

CREATIVE IMPROVISATION

PHRASE AND FLOW

FEARLESS PERFORMANCE

INSTRUMENTAL YOGA

THE ENTERPRISING ARTIST

FORM AND FUNCTION: MUSIC OF AND FOR THE PEOPLE

MASTER CLASSESThe Mirari Brass Quintet has decades of collective educational

experience, and loves to work with students of all levels, wheth-

er they specialize in brass or simply have a general interest in

music and performance. Mirari can work one-on-one, with small

groups, or with large audiences. In addition to the traditional

master class setting, in which specific pieces are used to bring

focus to larger performance concepts, Mirari can also speak as

a group on some topics on which they are expert. These topics

can be geared towards audiences of all ages and ability levels,

and can be mixed and matched to suit the needs of any event:

BRASS FUNDAMENTALS

CHAMBER MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS

MUSIC BUSINESS AND MARKETING

THE ART OF PERFORMING

THE ENTERPRISING ARTIST

FORM AND FUNCTION: MUSIC OF AND FOR THE PEOPLE

additional offerings

PHOTO BY JASON ALDRIDGE