“Modern. Brassy. Sliders.” November’s Concert at The Block Explores Chamber Music for Brass Quintet

Muskegon, Michigan, November 7, 2013 – Members of the Gaudete Brass Quintet will explore the process of creating great music in a chamber ensemble setting during a November performance at The Block.

The GBQ, which is one of the few brass quintets in the world exclusively committed to performing serious brass chamber music, will perform a series of pieces that range from romantic, diverse to monumental in both scope and material. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sliders will be provided by Hennessey’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.

“Modern. Brassy. Sliders.” is the seventh concert presented at The Block, which is quickly becoming a destination for music lovers with a variety of tastes. West Michigan Symphony unveiled its new performance space in June and has a variety of concerts already scheduled through May 2014 – with more to be added to the calendar.

The evening will feature music from a variety of composers, including Joan Tower’s “Copperwave,” Michael Praetorius’ “Christ Lag in Todesbanden” and Oskar Böhme’s “Trumpet Sextet in Eb minor Op. 30.” The second half of the performance will feature David Sampson’s “Still” and “Songs of War and Loss” by Anthony Plog, with text by Walt Whitman.

Since 2004, the GBQ has committed itself to presenting brass chamber music by delivering compelling concerts, commissioning new works and making adventurous recordings. In addition to recording three albums, the quintet has presented educational programs and concerts at prominent institutions including The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music and Arizona State University. Also, earlier this fall, the GBQ joined Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts faculty as artists-in-residence.

Bill Baxtresser, second trumpet with the West Michigan Symphony, is a member of the GBQ. Pam Smitter, the Symphony’s principal trumpet, will make a guest appearance with the quintet.

Tickets for “Modern. Brassy. Sliders.” range from $28 and up and are available at the West Michigan Symphony ticket office: 231.726.3231 ext. 223; online at www.westmichigansymphony.org; or in person at 360 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.

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