Louisville Brass

Founded in 1993, Louisville Brass (formerly called the University of Louisville Faculty Brass Quintet) is the resident brass chamber ensemble at the University of Louisville School of Music. Comprised exclusively of School of Music faculty, Louisville Brass is committed to artistic performance and to the sharing of knowledge of literature and styles through clinics and master classes. The ensemble is well-versed in a wide range of styles, and the repertoire list ranges from the Renaissance to jazz. The members of Louisville Brass are Michael Tunnell and Herbert Koerselman, trumpets; Bruce Heim, horn; Brett Shuster, trombone; and John Jones, tuba.

In September 2006, the Louisville Brass traveled to Kentucky Educational Television's studios in Lexington to record a segment for KET's award-winning "Arts Toolkit" project. The group recorded the beautiful motet "Sicut cervus" by Palestrina, and also recorded a few additional demonstrations to help explain counterpoint and polyphony, important features of Renaissance music. UofL horn professor Bruce Heim acted as spokesperson for the group and provided the musical arrangements. The Louisville Brass has always been interested in reaching as many students as possible, and it was quite a rewarding experience for us to be involved in the KET project, which ought to have a very large audience. The level of professionalism of the television studio was apparent in every aspect of the production - from the make-up department, to the lighting engineers and other technicians, to the education experts involved in the Toolkit. We hope that you have the opportunity to see the segment, and become interested in learning more about the wonderful music of Palestrina!

 
Reviews

"For the final piece on the program, the Louisville Brass performed Stan Friedman's Spanish Dances, which was the first prize winner of the 2003 ITG composition contest. The three movements were modeled after works by Ravel, and (according to the composer) could be performed separately. Friedman's colorful combination of modes was perceivable to the listener, and his treatment of the ostinato in the two outer movements was remarkable as the instruments passed the dance motif throughout the group in varying combinations of instruments. The trumpets shone in the middle movement particularly, as they articulated a colorful descant over the melody presented in the other instruments. The quintet did a fantastic job of balancing the lines and performing as a true chamber ensemble throughout. Spanish Dances is a lengthy and taxing piece to perform, and Michael Tunnell, Herbert Koerselman, and the rest of the Louisville Brass are to be commended not only for their musical presentation of the piece, but also for the sheer fortitude they exhibited in performance."

- International Trumpet Guild Journal, 2003

"James Sclater's 1972-73 Brass Quintet No. 1 featured Michael Tunnell and Herbert Koerselman, trumpets; Kenneth Albrecht, French horn; Cryder, trombone; and John Jones, tuba. When composers and performers sound happy, the results cannot fail to satisfy."

- The Courier-Journal, January 14, 1994 by Andrew Adler, Staff Critic

Louisville Brass and Friends - Brass Spectacular, January 20, 2008 - Program
Louisville Brass and Friends - Brass Spectacular, January 28, 2007 - Program