The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host the world-renowned Boston Brass for a holiday concert on Nov. 30
The quintet will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theatre in Blaisdell Hall. Tickets cost $22 for the public, $18 for faculty and staff, $10 for students and $5 for Pitt-Bradford students.
Although Boston Brass usually only performs with five members, they are adding a percussionist and a vibraphonist for this performance, making them the Boston Brass Septet.
The performance will also feature a collaborative performance from Boston Brass Septet and the Pitt-Bradford Vocal Ensemble.
“We did that last year with Vocalosity and the Pitt-Bradford a cappella group,” said Patty Colosimo, the coordinator of arts programming at Pitt-Bradford. “We try to bring groups in so the students can participate and see professionals in their field.”
Dr. Joshua Groffman, assistant professor of music and director of the vocal ensemble said the group is excited to perform with a professional group. “The students get to see how a professional group rehearses and what that process is like. So that’s a really valuable learning experience for the singers.”
Since the performance is so close to the holidays, Boston Brass will be performing a wide selection classic holiday songs.
“It should get the holiday spirit going on campus,” Groffman said.
Boston Brass isn’t just your run-of-the-mill musical group. The group was formed more than 30 years ago by Jeff Conner and some of his friends while studying at Boston University.
Today, the group is comprised of Jeff Conner, trumpet; Jose Sibaja, trumpet; Chris Castellanos, horn; Domingo Pagliuca, trombone; and Sam Pilafian, tuba. Their collective list of accomplishments boasts international performances and lectures, recordings with other award-winning artists and talk show appearances.
Colosimo said, “They are extremely talented musicians. They perform both nationally and internationally and not just holiday concerts — although that is what they will play for us. I am really excited that we are able to bring them to our campus.”
Groffman said, “The brass quintet, which is their core instrumentation, is a very common instrumentation, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s super loud and flashy.”
Colosimo said that another thing that sets Boston Brass apart is the scope of its repertoire, which included not only the regular brass repertoire but also jazz, classical, and many different types of music.
For more information about Boston Brass, visit the websitewww.bostonbrass.com. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 814-362-5113 or visit the websitewww.upb.pitt.edu/TheArts.
