Educational Outreach

Educational outreach is one of the most important parts of promoting awareness and appreciation for brass chamber music. Educating the youth of today about classical music and brass instruments in particular is vitally important for a thriving and cultured society. Studies have continued to show time and time again how important arts are to right brain learning, and yet school boards and legislatures across the country continue to cut budgets and remove music from the core curriculum. As one of our goals, educational outreach is one area where we would like to expand our influence.

In 2002 the ABCMA sponsored an outreach tour to Nebraska for the Aurora Brass Quintet. They presented clincs, masterclasses and a concert to high school aged students. It was a valuable experience for all involved.

In October of 2005 we brought the American Brass Quintet to Minneapolis for a Mini-Residency. Many high school and college aged students, from as far away as Wisconsin traveled to learn from the premiere brass quintet in the United States. The event was held at Augsburg College in downtown Minneapolis, and students were able to attend masterclasses, clinics and lectures to learn about repertoire, music-making and even the business side of music. It was a successful event and the highlight of the 2005-2006 season.

The Aurora Brass Quintet will be featured guest artists at Mankato State University where they will present an afternoon masterclass for their brass students as well as an evening performance. This educational outreach opportunity is planned for October of 2008!

The ABCMA has recently started sponsoring a "Myspace" page for the Aurora Brass Quintet. As part of this page a semi-regular "Meet the Quintet" blog series will be presented on the website. This series will give patrons of the ABCMA concert series as well as the general public a more in-depth look at the inner-workings of a brass ensemble. Quintet members will periodically post their insights to the rehearsal and performing process. It will be a spotlight into the life of real classical musicians.