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Kevin Eisensmith, reporter The theme for the 2003 ITG Conference is “Fuel Your Soul,” which, according to Tim Zimmerman, makes “The King’s Brass” the ideal ensemble to be featured in performance. This ensemble provides “innovative worship for young and old alike, through the best in sacred brass music.” A They began their performance with an antiphonal arrangement of A Mighty Fortress – Fanfare, arranged by Eric Alexander. Other hymn-tune arrangements included Be Thou My Vision, which featured the trombones, and Come Thou Almighty King, which was arranged by pianist Lisa Nelson. The King’s Brass can also swing, featuring trumpeter Jason Webb on Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, and a performance of an interesting version of Give Thanks, which included quotes from Blue Rondo a la Turk. Showing their sense of humor, The King’s Brass presented a “north vs. south” medley of Glory, Glory Hallelujah and Dixie, which pitted the trumpets against the trombones, and featured tubist Derek Beekhuizen as Abraham Lincoln.
Three members of the ensemble performed from the balcony in an antiphonal version of Thine Be the Glory that filled the Ed Landreth Auditorium with sound emanating from every direction. After a piano solo of Lord I Lift Your Name on High, the brass re-entered the auditorium with Tim Zimmerman’s arrangement of He’s got the Whole World (in His Hands). Much like the Canadian Brass arrangement of Just a Closer Walk With Thee, this piece began as a funeral-like procession, only to break into a rousing, Dixieland band free-for-all that again featured trumpeter Jason Webb. Following It is Well, the ensemble returned to the stage with Stars and Stripes Forever as an encore. Tim Zimmerman performed the obbligato solo on the piccolo trumpet, but was bumped from center stage on the repeat by Derek Beekhuizen, who provided his version of the solo on tuba! Their 70-minute performance was non-stop, performed entirely from memory, with choreography reminiscent of the Canadian Brass, a warm, rich sound, tight harmonies, and impeccable intonation. This was a concert that “fueled the souls” of musician and non-musician alike! |
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unique blend of the Canadian Brass, the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, with a little bit of your favorite big band thrown in, this nine-member ensemble consists of three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, piano, and percussion, and performs some 110 concerts annually. Their arrangements covered a wide variety of styles, from Gabrieli to swing.
