School of Fine and Performing Arts

Brass Festival

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About the Brass Festival

December 7, 2024
Creative Arts Center – School of Fine and Performing Arts
Wright State University

The Wright State University School of Fine and Performing Arts Brass Studios, under the leadership of Matt Anklan, trumpet; Andrew Bass, horn; Gretchen McNamara, trombone; and Isaac Slavens, tuba and euphonium, are excited to host another festival for brass musicians from our region this year.

Each year, we bring to you a day of music-making, master classes, and performances, and we are excited to announce the 2024 Brass Festival will showcase your hosts, the Wright State University Brass Faculty and Trombonist Ilan Morgenstern.

The day will include an all-day event open to all students with three or more years of playing experience and will include master classes, rehearsals, recital performances, and music vendors. Please see the schedule of events for further details. Additionally, this year’s festival will again host a solo performance competition in two divisions. High School brass musicians and Collegiate students up to age 25 are encouraged to compete. Competition rules, registration, and fees ($25) are described in the tabs below.

Contact Your Hosts


Registration Information

All brass festival events take place on the Dayton Campus of Wright State University in the School of Fine and Performing Arts, located in the Music Wing of the Creative Arts Center. Festival registration will open on October 15. Please check back here for registration information. 

Registration and Fees

  • High School and Collegiate Solo Competition and Festival Registration - $25
  • Festival Registration Fee - $25

All participants under age 18 must submit a parent or guardian-signed Medical Consent and Liability Waiver (PDF) on the day of the event.


Solo Competition Information

Dates

  • October 15, 2024: Registration Opens
  • November 3, 2024: Submission Deadline
  • November 16, 2024: The top three competitors in each division will be notified of their selection to perform in the finals round at the Brass Festival on December 7, 2024:
  • December 7, 2024
    • Finalists will perform live in the Finals Round at the WSU Brass Festival. A schedule of performance times will be distributed two weeks before the festival.
    • The announcement of the winner in each division will take place at the final concert of the festival.
    • Finalists will receive written comments from the judges' panel. 

Cash Prizes

  • 1st place High School Division: $250
  • 1st place Collegiate Division: $500

Entry Fee

  • $25 (includes festival registration) – Solo Competition Entry Fee

Entry fee payment is online and can be made by using: 

  • Mastercard 
  • Visa 
  • Discover 
  • webCheck 

Competition Eligibility and Repertoire

The Wright State Brass Festival Solo Competition will be in TWO DIVISIONS. The High School Division is open to anyone currently in grades 9-12. The Collegiate Division is open to university students regardless of degree program up to age 25 (born after January 15, 1999)

  • Entrants may select a repertoire of their choice.
  • High School entrants are encouraged but not required to select from the OMEA Class A or B Solo list.
  • High School entrants may perform selected repertoire with or without piano accompaniment in the preliminary round recording.
  • Collegiate Division entrants must perform with an accompanist if the repertoire selected calls for piano accompaniment.
  • Selected repertoire must be 10 minutes in length or under.
  • Movements of larger works will be accepted.
  • The competition will take place in two rounds.
  • Preliminary Round video recordings are due on November 3, 2024.
  • The top three performers in each division will be notified on November 16, 2024, and will perform live at the WSU Brass Festival on December 7, 2024.
  • An accompanist will be provided for the finals round for the high school division only.
  • The winner of each division will be announced at the WSU Brass Festival closing recital. 

Submitting Your Video Recording 

  • Video recordings must be uploaded to YouTube using unlisted links 
  • Video recording links must be submitted electronically via email to gretchen.mcnamara@wright.edu by November 3, 2024
  • Your video should identify you by last name and division of competition. For example: McNamara, trombone, high school division
  • No recording will be considered without the submission of the application fee 

In your application email, please include with your recording the following information: 

  • Name 
  • Instrument
  • Repertoire (Title and Composer)
  • Phone number 
  • Email address 
  • School 
  • Year in school 
  • DOB
  • Major (Collegiate only)

Competition Judges: Wright State University Brass Faculty


Artists and Clinicians


Schedule of Events

Time Event
8:30 a.m. 

Registration Opens

9 a.m.  Welcome Introductions and Performances
9:30 a.m. Festival Mass Brass Ensemble Rehearsal #1 
10:45 a.m. Instrument-Specific Master Classes/Vendor Visits
Noon

Lunch – Bring a packed lunch or buy lunch at “The Hangar”

1 p.m. Guest Artist Recital – Ilan Morgenstern, Bass Trombone, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
2 p.m.  Mass Brass Ensemble Rehearsal #2 
3 p.m.  Ilan Morgenstern Master Class 
4 p.m.  Clinic #3  Dr. McNamara
5 p.m. Break
5:30 p.m. Festival Closing Recital - Performace of Festival Choir

On-Site Vendors

More to come as plans solidify!

 


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