2017 News Archive

2017 HBS Symposium: New York, 13-16 July

Call For Papers and Performances

Historic Brass Society
International Historic Brass Symposium
July 13-16, 2017

New York University
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musical Instrument Collection

As at the 2012 Symposium in New York, many of the leading early brass performers, scholars, instrument makers, collectors, curators, and educators will be participating in our 2017 HBS International Symposium. Of special note will be the premiere performance of a newly commissioned composition for serpent and ophicleide, a special workshop and period-instrument performance of the music of James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hell Fighters 369th Regimental Band, as well as other performances and many lectures and round-table discussions.

The Historic Brass Society is accepting proposals for period brass instrument performances and early brass lectures. All early brass topics from Antiquity through to the 20th century will be considered. Please submit a one-page proposal for either a performance or lecture. Lectures will be 20 minutes with an additional 10 minute question and discussion period added. Performances typically are 20 minutes to 45 minutes depending upon size and nature of the ensemble. Keyboard accompanists will be available if needed.

Submission Deadlines: November 1, 2016 For Performance Proposals; December 1, 2016 For Paper Proposals

Please send proposals to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Symposium Program Committee: Stewart Carter, Trevor Herbert, Jeff Nussbaum, Keith Polk, Bradley Strauchen.

2017 Indiana Sackbut Workshop

3/2 - The 6th Indiana Sackbut Workshop will pay a visit to Renaissance Naples, a melting pot of Hispano-Italian culture and ideas. We will be touching upon late 15th-century alta-capella repertoire, mid-16th-century improvisation, and the development of extensive chromaticism in the later 16th and early 17th centuries. As always, we will work towards adopting the frame of mind of a Renaissance musician: in addition to lots of playing in small ensembles, there will be sessions on solmization, theory and composition, and musical language, which includes reading from original manuscript and print sources. Of course, we want everyone to challenge themselves on an appropriate level, so modern editions of all the music will also be provided.

As was the case last year, an optional extra day of just sackbuts and dulcians from Tuesday, May 23 at 12 PM to Wednesday, May 24 at 5 PM will allow us to explore the more chromatic music from around 1600. The official workshop for sackbuts and early double reeds runs from Wednesday, May 24 at 5 PM to Sunday, May 28 at 12 PM at Waycross Conference Center in Morgantown, IN.

Here is a link to all pertinent information concerning registration and fees: http://earlymusicinmotion.org/event-registration/?ee=35

If you have any specific questions about the workshop, please feel free to contact Adam Bregman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Juan Carlos (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). They are very excited (as always) about this workshop, so tell a friend and we look forward to seeing all those who are able to join us for this exploration and celebration of Neapolitan musical heritage!

Early Brass Workshop

6/12 - Brass Antiqua has announced the second annual Brass Antiqua: A Workshop for Early Brass. The Workshop is August 1-5, 2017 and held in Historic Winchester, VA. Clinicians are Barry Bauguess, Natural & Baroque Trumpets, Greg Ingles, Sackbut, and Kiri Tollaksen, Cornett. Daily Masterclasses, private lessons, informal evening performances, Grand Finale Concert for all, and an optional Sunday Mass performance on August 6, 2017

Go to Brass Antiqua for details and registration: www.brassantiqua.org

John Wallace and Brass for Beginners

11/15: Noted trumpeter John Wallace has recently collaborated with Kirsty Montgomery and Chris Hasselbring on the Brass for Beginners project. Brass for Beginners employs the use of history and natural trumpets to teach brass music to children. Wallace joined will join Montgomery and Hasselbring in a lecture demonstration at the London Music Expo this coming February and they will also do a presentation  at the NAfME Eastern Division Conference in New Jersey this coming April. A presentation with John Wallace is also planned for the HBS Symposium in New York on July 13-16, 2017. Detailed information on the project can be found at: https://brassforbeginners.com

3rd International HBS Historic Brass Symposium July 13-16

The abstracts for the presentations and the conference schedule (newly updated 7/5) are now available.

There will be a pizza party on Friday evening at St. Luke's in the Field Church after the concert. The cost will be $10. Please pay via paypal.com by send the funds to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send a check to the HBS 148 West 23rd street #5F New York NY 10011. Please indicate that the $10 is for the pizza party.

Also, a bag lunch is available for Friday July 14th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The cost will be aproximately $10. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a lunch.  As there are limited lunch opportunities in the Metropolitan Museum neighborhood, it is recommended to avail yourself of the bag lunch (sandwiches and sodas).

Current HBS membership is required. Please make sure you are paid up with membership.

2/13 - The HBS will present the 3rd International Historic Brass Symposium in New York City on July 13-16, 2017. Many of the community's leading scholars, performers, ensembles and instrument makers will be attending. Online registration and HBS membership is required. The  deadline to secure NYU housing will be June 7th.

Flyer including list of participants: click here.

The abstracts for the presentations and the conference schedule (newly updated 7/5) are now available.

There will be a pizza party on Friday evening at St. Luke's in the Field Church after the concert. The cost will be $10. Please pay via paypal.com by send the funds to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send a check to the HBS 148 West 23rd street #5F New York NY 10011. Please indicate that the $10 is for the pizza party.

Also, a bag lunch is available for Friday July 14th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The cost will be aproximately $10. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a lunch.  As there are limited lunch opportunities in the Metropolitan Museum neighborhood, it is recommended to avail yourself of the bag lunch (sandwiches and sodas).
Current HBS membership is required. Please make sure you are paid up with membership.

2/13 - The HBS will present the 3rd International Historic Brass Symposium in New York City on July 13-16, 2017. Many of the community's leading scholars, performers, ensembles and instrument makers will be attending. Online registration and HBS membership is required. The  deadline to secure NYU housing will be June 7th.

Registration/Housing Info: https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1903912
Flyer including list of participants: click here.