Hey everybody, it’s been a while since the last update, but for good reason… We have recently added some new members to the group, and have been busy getting ready for some big shows.
As of this latest tour through Nevada, Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we took on two new members; Daniel Rosenboom and Mark Burroughs. Daniel has come in to fill the empty spot left by Brian Neal leaving the group. For those who know Brian, you know that he is an awesome musician and has brought a lot to the Dallas Brass table. However, he was recently offered a professor position at Miami Dade College, and accepted the position. This will keep him at home with his family much more, and let him focus on his bread baking and kambucha tea brewing. He will be greatly missed, but will surely make some cameo appearances in the future…
With that said, Dan has been filling Brian’s shoes nicely. He is a great player, and brings a wealth of variety and musical knowledge to the group. He is also a composer, and has some outside projects that are out of this world. Check out his groups; PLOTZ, Dr. Mint, and ThunderGrunt, to name a few. His website, www.DanielRosenboom.com to get an idea of what he is capable of! All around great guy, too, and also a big Batman fan.
On tuba has been Mark Burroughs, and he is an old friend of mine from back in the Blast! days. I met him while he was in rehearsals for the Pre-Broadway US tour with my younger brother, Ben. I later was in the US touring cast with Mark’s older brother, Ben. Read it again, it should make sense. Anyways, he brings a great feel to the bottom end of the group, and has a great sense of humor to match. In addition, Charlie has pointed out that he has a bit of a “Mad Scientist” laugh. You’ll have to meet him to decide for yourself…
As for the rest of the group, DJ is doing great, no new kids that we know about… yet. Although we’re never sure when he’s going to ramp 6 up to 7. Word on the street is that he is going to pull an Angelina Jolie and adopt several babies from third world countries. I’ll keep you updated.
Mike has been busy putting together a bunch of new pieces for the show. Which in no particular order include Slava, Yorkshire Ballad, What is Hip?, In the Stone, An American in Paris, and several others that you can expect to see in future shows. I forgot to mention an original piece composed for the group by our own Charlie Porter, entitled A Proclamation of Freedom. A great ride of a piece, and we hope you’ll get the chance to hear it soon.
As for me, I’m staying busy keeping the website current, playing accordion in my spare time, and hope to get out to the workshop this week to build some furniture before heading back out on tour next Tuesday. So come out and see the group, and I promise we’ll get some new entries up soon!
Jeff Handel
Percussionist, The Dallas Brass
February 12, 2010 at 10:54 pm |
Hey, I’m from Anoka! I totally looooooved your performance (although I regretted the lack of French horn, but still) and I wanted to tell you that I love Blast!! I got so excited when you said that at the Clinic! I plan on going back to watch it to see if I can spot you (And that doesn’t sound creepy at all….)! Just thought I’d let you know.
February 20, 2010 at 1:49 am |
Just so you know, it might take you a while to find me. It was recorded in London, and while they were performing and shooting video, I was student teaching in Shelbyville, IN. So my presence will be more “felt” than heard or seen…
February 19, 2010 at 1:37 am |
Hi again i recently got a superior at Solo Ensemble and my video is up on my dad’s website http://www.neilclements.com
If you ever get the time could you maybe give me some pointers on how to perfect my playing thanks.
RBSMS Band Rules
oh yeah i think it is really cool that you guys are playing Next Stop:Funksville considering we had an ensemble that played that last year.
They are now almost a proffesional group they are called brasstastick they are really good oh yeah their website is http://www.brasstastick.com
February 20, 2010 at 1:53 am |
Thanks for the link, Thomas! And congrats on the Superior rating! I can’t help you too much with the Saxophone, but seems your doing well! Keep up the good work!
Jeff
February 23, 2010 at 12:47 am |
Thanks my band director is in Brass tastick and he was fabragasted when he saw that Michael Levine had left comments on their website. Also thanks for taking the time to even listen to the recordings and check out the website because i know you guys are always busy. Thanks Again
February 28, 2010 at 3:05 pm |
Hey there! I just recently saw you guys in Troy (I was one of the high schoolers who got to perform with you guys) and it was AMAZING. I just wanted to let you know how much I love seeing you guys perform! I’m really inspired by you all. I play the trumpet at my high school and I’m a senior. Oh and Jeff – I’m learning how to play percussion now in beginner band! Some of the senior band members aid for that class so we all decided to learn new instruments, so I picked snare! (along with all the other percussion stuff) lol, its definitely interesting. But I’m pretty good at the snare surprisingly! haha. But I definitely love the trumpet more!
Anyway, I can’t wait to see you all again soon!
February 28, 2010 at 4:37 pm |
Hey Kelsey! Glad to hear you enjoyed the concert.
You’re learning how to play snare? That’s Awesome. I’ve been trying to get better at trumpet, as I studied it in college for some music education classes, but never really practiced. But over the last few tours, I’ve been stealing the guys’ Flugel and playing it. Don’t tell them. Actually, I played through some of our brass grooves music on a second trumpet part just the other day, and had a blast. It was totally fun, and I believe that I need some work on my fundamentals. And my teeth hurt pretty bad aferwards, which leads me to believe I may have been using too much pressure. Oops. Anyways, keep up the good work, it’s always fun to be able to play multiple instruments! And it is a great skill to have if you plan on going into music education! Best of luck to you!
Jeff
February 28, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Yeah I actually really love playing the snare! Its definitely a lot of fun but its very different not having the melody or even harmony, just giving the beat! So did you major in music education? You must have had to learn trumpet in class brass or something! My brother is a music ed major and he has to learn some woodwind instruments because he’s a brass player too. I would love to try to play a Flugel! You should have played for us at the concert!
Thanks for replying to my comment!
March 1, 2010 at 4:15 am |
Hey!! I just saw you guys preform Friday at troy( I also preformed with you guys), But it was awesome. I found out just how much I really love playing music. I am planning to continue while i go to college. Rite now I am a Jr. in high school and I was not sure that I wanted to do music while I was in college, but after Friday I know its what I wanna do. Seeing you guys have that much fun and doing what you love inspired me. Thank you sooo much. I play Baritone mostly but I have played percussion a couple of years. Its so much fun. Anyways hope to be able to see you preform again.