Delaware State University welcomes brass performers of all ages and levels to its campus Saturday for the school’s 5th Annual Brass Day.
The event offers free performances by the U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet, renowned jazz trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse and DSU student ensembles.
[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/gazda.mp3|titles= Listen to WDDE Morning Edition host Susan Geary's interview with DSU Associate Music Professor Frank Gazda.]
Brass Day Organizer and Associate Music Professor Dr. Frank Gazda says the schedule of performance get underway first thing Saturday morning.
“[Starting at] 9 am we will have a concert that will feature some of the Delaware State University Students followed by a group that I perform in. The trumpet professor of Delaware State, Dr. Patrick Hoffman, and myself formed a very new group called the First State Brass. It's a quartet," said Gazda. "Then at 10 o'clock the United States Army Brass performs. We're all very excited about that.”
Dr. Gazda adds that this is a unique opportunity to see U.S Army Brass perform in Dover.
The ensemble is well known for its performances at the White House, presidential inaugurations, and official state ceremonies in the nation’s Capitol.
Brass players from the community are also encouraged to bring their horns to for free clinics to polish their skills, but Gazda emphasizes that Brass day is for musicians and non-musicians alike.
“The goal with our Brass Day is to bring professional, national, international performers to Delaware State to work directly with our students so our students can be exposed to that level of performance," said Gazda. "[The event is] also for the community so that community members will have an opportunity to hear these great performers come to Dover.”
DSU Brass Day is free to participants and spectators.
It starts at 9 am Saturday in the Education and Humanities Theatre and runs until 4 pm.