Top brass

The start of the spring semester brings with it a resumption of performances at Skidmore’s Arthur Zankel Music Center, where a Brass Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 and 3. Emphasizing education and performance, the festival will feature the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet, the Skidmore brass faculty and student brass ensembles, and registered festival participants.

This first event of the academic year is part of the Filene Concert Series at Zankel, and will include a concert by the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet, conducted by Michael Meidenbauer. The performance begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. In addition, quintet members will teach master classes, coach student ensembles, teach private lessons for Skidmore students, and perform in collaboration with the festival brass ensemble.

The internationally renowned New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet features Philip Smith (principal trumpet), Ethan Bensdorf (associate principal trumpet), Philip Myers (principal horn), Joseph Alessi (principal trombone), and Alan Baer (principal tuba). The group made its debut in 1983 when its members joined with the Canadian Brass for a concert in Ottawa, Canada. This was the beginning of a regular musical collaboration between these two brass quintets. Subsequent joint performances brought them to the summer festivals of Tanglewood, Wolf Trap, Great Woods, and Mostly Mozart, as well as concerts in cities throughout Canada and the United States.

Throughout the weekend, students will have the opportunity to learn from quintet members through coaching, classes, and conversation. The festival will close with a free collaborative concert of student chamber groups and the New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3.

Admission for the Feb. 2 New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet concert is free for students and children, $8 adults, and $5 seniors and Skidmore community. Admission for the Feb. 3 festival finale concert is free and open to the public. For advance reservations click here or call the Zankel box office (518) 580-5321 for more information. The Zankel Music Center is wheelchair accessible and offers listening devices for the hearing impaired. For more information, please click here.