High Brass Day 2024

NEW DATE: September 14th, 2024

Registration deadline extended to September 7th! Hurry and register!

The Keene State College Music Department is pleased to invite you to our first-ever biennial High Brass Day!

Building on last year’s wildly successful Low Brass Day, this year is all about trumpet and French horn!

Pack your instruments and join us for a full-day celebration of all things High Brass. Led by KSC’s own brass faculty (Dr. John Hart, Seelan Manickam, Dr. Kris Danielsen, Paul Hadley) and two world-renowned high brass performers and teachers, this event is an opportunity for trumpet and French horn players of all ages to come and learn from master clinicians. Through workshop sessions, master classes, and instrument-specific tracks, you will learn more about:

·      playing technique ·      how to build good practice habits
·      breath and body control ·      embouchure tips
·      new repertoire for your instrument ·      what to look for when buying a new instrument

…and much more!

Introducing the 2024 Master Clinicians:

Phil Snedecor, trumpet – internationally renowned performer, Professor of Trumpet at the Hartt School, and composer of popular étude books for trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba.

William Purvis – Grammy award winning performer, member of the New York Woodwind Quintet, and Professor of French Horn at Yale University.

Phil Snedecor
William Purvis

In addition to their expert teaching and leadership, our Master Clinicians will perform some of their favorite repertoire, give one-on-one masterclasses (option to sign up for a masterclass on the Registration Page), and lead participants in instrument-specific rehearsals. It’s a privilege to welcome these two phenomenal performers and educators to Keene State College!

Industry Partner – The Music Wagon:

In the market for a new trumpet or horn? While you’re here, be sure to visit our lobby, where The Music Wagon, LLC will have a wide range of world-class trumpets and French horns (and more!) for you to try. Scott Abrahamson, owner and former music educator, will be there to help you select a new dream horn!

Evening Concert:

The day concludes with a performance and celebration of our wonderful high brass instruments in the Redfern Arts Center’s Main Theater. This performance is open to the public, and participants will join the KSC Brass Faculty and the Master Clinicians in a performance that’s sure to excite, educate, and entertain!

Note: the concert is free, but tickets for audience members are required. Contact the Redfern Box Office at (603) 358-2168 to reserve tickets. 

Registration: 

Student (K-12 or collegiate):   $40

General:                                  $50

Registration includes snacks, lunch, and dinner!

Note: elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult (at no extra charge if not a participating instrumentalist).

REGISTER HERE

Masterclasses:

A masterclass is a great opportunity for intermediate and advanced players to receive one-on-one instruction on high brass repertoire from one of our Master Clinicians. College students and high school students—are you preparing for auditions for the next phase of your education? Yes? Then a masterclass is perfect for you! During Session 2, all trumpets and French horns will move to their own separate spaces. Masterclass students will receive approximately 20 minutes of one-on-one guidance and instruction from their clinician, with the other participants watching and learning. Taking notes while watching a masterclass is highly recommended—you can learn a lot from observing other peoples’ lessons. Masterclass sessions will also be video recorded and sent to masterclass students following the event.

If you would like to receive a masterclass:

  • FIRST: email Dr. John Hart at Hart@keene.edu to request a masterclass, as space is limited! First come, first served. Please include the following information in your email request: title and composer of the repertoire you would like to play during your masterclass, plus a PDF of the repertoire. Pianists/pianos will not be used.
  • IF ACCEPTED: register for the event and check the option for “Add Master Class with clinician” at checkout.

REGISTER HERE

Schedule:

 Saturday, September 14, 2024

Everyone  8:30 am Check-in; unpack instruments; coffee; socializing

(please mingle and introduce yourselves over breakfast and/or coffee!)

SESSION 1
Dr. Hart & clinicians 9:30 am Opening remarks & introductions, Alumni Recital Hall
Everyone 9:40 am Phil’s Snedecor: “Arnold Jacobs Revisited: Wind and Song for High Brass”
Everyone 10:30 am Break – stretch, visit Music Wagon tables, try instruments
Everyone 11:00 am William Purvis: “The Tongue is the Enemy of the Neck”
Everyone 11:50 am Transition to Lunch
LUNCH, EXHIBITS, TOURS
Everyone 12:00–2:00 pm Zorn Dining Commons Redfern Lobby KSC Campus Tours
Lunch @ Zorn Dining Commons Visit our sponsor, Music Wagon Campus Tours – leaving from Zorn Dining Commons @ 1pm (by request, only)
SESSION 2
Everyone 2:00 pm Phil Snedecor: “Making Your Career in Music: The Sky’s the Limit”
Everyone 2:50 pm Break – stretch, visit Music Wagon tables, try instruments
Everyone 3:00 pm Scott Abrahamson: “What to Do & Look for When You’re Shopping for a New Horn”
Everyone 3:50 pm Transition to Masterclasses & Rehearsals

Break for afternoon coffee & tea in Redfern Lobby

SESSION 3
Instrument Tracks 4:20–5:00 pm Alumni Recital Hall Band Room (101)
Trumpet Masterclasses Horn Masterclasses
Instrument Tracks 5:00–6:00pm Trumpet Ensemble Rehearsal Horn Ensemble Rehearsal
DINNER & CONCERT
Everyone 6:15–7:15 pm Dinner @ Zorn Dining Commons
Everyone 7:15–7:30 pm Transition back to Redfern, warm up, etc.
Band Room (101)
Everyone 7:30–8:30 pm Performance by Master Clinicians; High Brass Day section ensembles; and KSC Brass Faculty + Clinicians perform the Böhme Sextet
DEPARTURE
Everyone ~ 8:45 pm Depart
 

Traveling to Keene State College:

All events will take place on the Keene State College campus and will start in the Redfern Arts Center. Set your GPS for:

Redfern Arts Center
90 Wyman Way
Keene, NH 03435

Details about parking, music to be played, hotel accommodations, dining, and all other information will be emailed to you following confirmation of your registration. Please ensure that emails from John.Hart@keene.edu are on your “safe” list.

We hope to see you on September 14th for the first biennial Keene State College High Brass Day!

REGISTER HERE

1-800-KSC-1909 · 229 Main St. Keene, New Hampshire 03435