The KSU Student Brass Quintet

The Kansas State University Student Brass Quintet will travel to Lichtenberg, Germany in June of 2004 to take part in the Ensemblekurs und Workshop für Blechbläser. This international chamber music festival commemorates the life and work of Henri Marteau, a violinist of world status during the late 1800s and first three decades of the 20th century. In 1910, Marteau purchased a villa outside of Lichtenberg in Upper Franconia because of its central location within Europe, and because of his happy memories of the area from his childhood. Until his death in 1934, Marteau taught students from all over the world at Haus Marteau. His legacy of musical achievement and concern for developing musicians formed the cornerstone of the Haus Marteau Master Courses, a tradition since 1982. For more information on summer courses at Haus Marteau visit: www.haus-marteau.de

In August of 2003, more than forty brass players auditioned for the opportunity to participate in this brass quintet. The quintet will perform two full recitals and make numerous other appearances as part of their preparation to go to Germany. The group's primary coach, Gary Mortenson, will travel with the students to Haus Marteau where he will coach participating quintets from Europe. Mortenson is associate professor of trumpet and Chair of Graduate Studies at KSU, and serves as Publications Editor for the International Trumpet Guild. Additional coaches include KSU faculty Paul Hunt (professor of trombone), Jacqueline Fassler-Kerstetter (assistant professor of horn), and Steven Maxwell (instructor of tuba). Mortenson commissioned Jukka Viitasaari from Finland and James Niblock from the United States to write two original works for the student quintet, to be premiered during the 2003-04 academic year.

During the workshop the quintet will appear in two recitals, rehearse and perform with two other quintets from Europe, and be coached by the Rekkenze Brass, a professional quintet of international status from Germany. The Rekkenze Brass includes: Peter Knudsvig and Benjamin Sebald-trumpets, Debra Luttrell-horn, René Jampen-trombone, and Rainer Streit-tuba.

The KSU Student Brass Quintet

Trumpeter David Montgomery is a second year master's level student. He came to Kansas from North Carolina where he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. David taught for several years at East Gaston High School in Mt. Holly, NC.

Trumpeter Kari Brooks is a freshman music education major. While in high school she was a three-year member of the Kansas All-State Band, and a four-year member of her District Honor Band. Kari would like to teach trumpet on the university level.

Hornist Crystal Lee is a junior majoring in math with a minor in music. Crystal won the 2003 Regional Music Teachers National Association's Wind Competition. She enjoys running, teaching horn, and would like to teach math at the college level.

Trombonist Ben Deaver is a senior in music education. In addition to trombone, Ben enjoys playing piano, guitar, and singing. Plans after graduation range from teaching, to preaching, to overseas mission work.

Tubist Rich Kimball is a sophomore majoring in music performance. He performs with the KSU Symphony Band, Concert Jazz Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble, and hopes one day to play tuba in a major symphony orchestra.

Websites:
Haus Marteau (in French, German and English)
Music at KSU