The KSU Brass Ensemble: please click photo for larger/captioned version

On April 13, 2003 The Kansas State University Brass Ensemble, directed by Gary Mortenson, performed a full recital at St. Fidelis Church in Victoria, Kansas. Upon completion in 1911, this historic structure was the largest church west of the Mississippi river. William Jennings Bryan, famous orator and politician, visited the church early in the twentieth century and in a speech declared it "The Cathedral of the Plains." This name has been associated with the church ever since that day.

The ensemble performed arrangements and transcriptions of music by Gabrieli, Byrd, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven, and contemporary works by Knox, McIntyre, Gustafson, and Dodsworth. All seven trumpeters in the ensemble belong to the KSU chapter of the International Trumpet Guild. Over the last decade the ensemble has performed and premiered significant works at the New York Brass Conference, International Brassfest, Kansas Music Educators Conference, and at basilicas, cathedrals, and universities in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and New York.

Website:
Music at KSU

Source: Gary Mortenson