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Axiom Brass Slates Free Concert on May 3 as Prelude to Upcoming Events
(Posted: April 11, 2007) (Printable Version)
The Fort Smith region will have an opportunity to hear Axiom Brass, a quintet composed of professional brass musicians and educators from across the nation, in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. May 3 at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th St. The concert is sponsored by local businesses.
Kevin Sanders of Fort Smith, a member of Axiom Brass who teaches at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, said the free concert is a prelude to two upcoming events. The Axiom Brass Summer Seminar will be held June 24-30 and is geared to high school and college brass players. There will also be another Axiom Brass concert on June 28 featuring well-known trumpet soloist Vince DiMartino.
In addition to tubist Kevin Sanders, Axiom Brass members include Brazilian trumpeter Dorival Puccini Jr., Oregon trombonist Henry Henniger, and New York trumpeter Steven Marx and hornist Michelle Haim.
Sanders said that Axiom Brass is committed to the musical education of young audiences.
“It is through our Summer Seminar and our concerts that we are able to share the joys of music and enhance the cultural experience of our communities,” he said.
Whether dazzling audiences with classical masterpieces and swingin’ jazz charts or with witty humor and entertaining knowledge, Axiom Brass bridges the gap between audience and artist.
Puccini, who is co-directing the Summer Seminar, said the upcoming summer seminar is a real plus for this area.
“The Axiom Brass Seminar brings together high school and college brass players from the State of Arkansas, as well as students from all over the United States,” Puccini said. “Fort Smith will give those students an opportunity to experience the only summer seminar in Arkansas exclusively for brass players. It’s also one of the few seminars for brass in the entire country.”
The weeklong seminar will include master classes, chamber groups, brass choirs and concerts. Activities run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day.
Sanders said a special concert, featuring international trumpet virtuoso Vince DiMartino will be held June 28 in the midst of the seminar week activities.
“He has been a soloist with some of the world’s finest ensembles,” said Sanders, “including the Cincinnati Pops, Boston Pops Orchestra and the United States ‘President’s Own’ Marine Band, the Lionel Hampton Band, and the Chuck Mangione Band.”
A quick look at Axiom Brass shows:
- Henry Henniger (trombone) is currently on the faculty at Oregon State University and Linfield College. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He is an active trombone and euphonium performer and educator. While in New York, he studied and performed with members of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera orchestras and worked with many other orchestras in New York and New Jersey.
- Dorival Puccini (trumpet) is on the faculty at Grand Valley State University and at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. He received his bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and his master’s degree from the Juilliard School and is working on his doctorate at Michigan State University. He has performed as acting second trumpet with the Palm Beach Opera for the 2005-06 season and is an active guest musician with the Grand Rapids Symphony and others. He has also recorded various compositions.
- Steven Mark (trumpet) is on the faculty at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, is an international competition winner and former Yamaha Young Artist. He received his bachelor’s from Grand Valley State University and his master’s degree from the Eastman School. He won second place at the National Trumpet Competition and first prize in the orchestra competition at the International Trumpet guild Convention in Manchester, England.
- Michelle Haim (horn) is a professional freelancer in New York City, where she is active in orchestral and chamber music and maintains a private teaching studio. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School. She has performed with numerous symphonies in various venues and performs in and organizes outreach and educational concerts across New York.
- Kevin Sanders (tuba) received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and his master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. He has been on the low brass faculty at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith since 2004 and was recently appointed to the faculty for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He has more than a decade of performing on the world’s classical music stages, has performed with numerous symphonies and was selected as one of nine Americans to play with the Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra for its North American and European tours.
Information on registration, lodging and available meal plans for the Summer Seminar may be found at www.axiombrass.com or by calling Kevin Sanders at 788-7972 or by emailing him at ksanders@uafortsmith.edu. Tickets for the June 28 concert featuring Axiom Brass and trumpet soloist Vince DiMartino are $6 and may be purchased at www.uafortsmith.edu, at the same link used for UA Fort Smith’s Season of Entertainment ticket purchases.
| Article by: Sondra LaMar, Director of Public Relations |
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