Principaltrumpet

I am sorry to all of you out there but I woke up full of questions and have gone TM happy this morning!

For some time I have wanted to get a brass quintet together at my university. It seems that the players get together a few times but then people quit coming. How does one go about puting together a brass quintet that sticks together?

Secondly, I would somewhere down the line like to make a CD af a quintet I get together, not exactly for profit, just to have somethign down the road. Are there any copyright laws that would keep me from recording...lets say, Canadian Brass' arrangment of Bachs fugue in G minor?

Josh

Fudleysmith

What I found, when organizing the same type of group, was that you have to have a specific performance date in order to focus people's awareness.

I first tried to set up a BQ just to have a venue to play some of this music, but it failed after about four rehearsals. The second time I tried, I got some committments for times/places to play and then set up the group.

Rehearsals were better attended and more focused when the "endpoint" (the performance) was already identified. And it was VERY easy to find places to perform; churches, during stage changes of our regular orchestra/choir performances, between acts at a dance recital, and CHRISTMAS gigs galore [we had to be careful about playing outdoors in the cold though-eventually we went to indoors only].

tpter1

Josh- In addition to being sure you have committed people, it helps if you have a clear goal for the ensemble to work for. Line up some gigs. Go to area churches and put in word. Set up some recital dates at these venues. Set up a recital date at your school. (All this, of course, after you have the people!) Be sure to discuss all dates with all members and that everyone has the same goals, and that everyone's calendar is coordinated. In short, communicate!

As far as copyright goes, as long as you do not distribute your recording, you're good to go. Begin selling, and you've got to pay royalties. Contact the publisher.

Dale Proctor

My advice to anyone starting a brass quintet (or those already in one) is to find a good percussionist to play with you. One who can play anything, from the proper drum and style on Baroque pieces, all the way to a small trap on dixieland stuff. Yes, it's another mouth to feed, but you'll be amazed at what this adds to the whole presentation (as well as covering numerous brass sins). Our group approached the principal percussionist with our local symphony about doing this about 13 years ago. He said yes, and is still with the group. When we decided to enter the dark world of Civil War brass music, he enthusiastically followed. Try it if you can find a good one - it may even help maintain the interest of the other brass players.

rowuk

I find the hardest part is finding 5 brass players that speak their mind. The biggest reason for not coming back is because the group is moving in a direction that you don't like. There are leaders and followers, but without the internal feedback, you do not know if you are on the right track.

The second most important point is actually performing. Everyone should be in agreement with the repertoire AND the level of preparation BEFORE making your first public appearance. There is nothing more disappointing than having a gig where one 5th of the group isn't in shape or prepared.

Make sure that the organization part is covered. Going to a gig without knowing if you will be paid or having to wait an hour in the cold until someone unlocks the church is not helpful. The rehearsals should also be planned to meet the requirements and expectations.

Do not forget, quintet playing is the Formula 1 of brass playing. It is hard work and requires 5 individuals with a common goal. There is no room for "almost"!

TheRiddler

^ word to that...

I have found it takes 5 people who genuinely like each other. Chamber music is all about communication - usually you communicate best with those you like. I've been in groups that could play the ink, and that was fun, because we could play some really flashy stuff... but when it boils down to it, thats not what it is about... its about the Music. So find people who have the same ideas of sound, musical concept, and personal goals as you have with this quintet. The next most important thing is rehearsal... meet at a regular time each week (or more) but make it constant... play lots of easy chorales to understand balance and blend, and intonation with each other. I've played in more than a handful of quintets, and the thing is, its hard to get that sound that you hear on CDs of Empire, Canadian, and others... the only way to do that is work hard and enjoy going after it!

bp

Although this may depend on several factors, this is not correct. In fact, ownership of sheet music generally does not even confer right of performance. In general, all performances of copyrighted music are supposed to be licensed through ASCAP, BMI, publisher, composer etc... unless otherwise specified (and there are some exceptions).

My advice is to check for copyright (and get permission) before starting a recording project.

Rob