Since its beginnings in 1972, the US Army Brass Quintet, Washington, DC, has delighted audiences in 39 states and 12 foreign countries. Today’s performance for Youth Day offered a wide range of music from Baroque to Contemporary with stops in the Civil War and silent movie eras. Handel’s “The Rejoicing” from his Royal Fireworks Music began with the trumpets sounding their fanfares from the rear of the hall. It was followed by the overture to the same work and ably showed their flair for the glorious sounds of the Baroque. Three short pieces from the time of King James (late 16th Century), arranged by trumpeter Dennis Edelbrock, followed. The three pieces, titled Couranto, And I as Well as Thou, and The Fairy Round displayed a graceful, sonorous playing.

In the days before films had music (or sound), live music was frequently performed to accompany movies. The quintet next performed an accompaniment to a silent movie that was shown. Staff Arranger, Paul Murtha, set music to the film, Teddy at the Throttle, a 1917 Max Sennett production, starring Gloria Swanson, Wallace Berry, and Teddy-the dog (who saved the day). Many excerpts from the classical repertoire as well as popular songs of the time were used in the fitting accompaniment to this almost 90 year-old silent movie. What a marvelous reminder of how music was used to accompany movies before sound was included. Very well done!

Original music from the Civil War played on original 140-year old instruments followed. Interestingly, the instruments used in today’s concert included the over-the-shoulder variety along with horns of standard configuration. To perform this set of authentic music, the quintet played on a B-flat flugelhorn, E-flat bugle, E-flat alto horn, B-flat trombone, and E-flat tuba. The Star Spangled Banner, in its more waltz-like earlier setting, began this portion, followed by a very popular type of music from the Civil War era — excerpts from the opera (Bela’s Overture to Lustspiel, in this case). Wood-up Quick Step, a popular piece of the time, featured the two trumpeters echoing flashy passages back and forth bringing much applause from the appreciative audience. Next was Arthur Pryor’s Air Varie, a theme and variations for trombone, was played by Scott Shelsta. This piece gave no doubt as to the high level of virtuosity exhibited by the group; many trumpet players would be envious of that kind of technique! Kudos to other members of the ensemble: Joseph Lovinsky, horn, Woody English, trumpet, and Jack Tilbury, tuba. Their performance of the Overture to Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmilla, closed the afternoon’s concert with blazing technique and beautiful sounds ringing throughout the Pepsico Recital Hall. A short, fun encore, “In the Park,” played on garden hoses and funnels brought the house down. We will certainly look forward to hearing this splendid group later in the conference.