Capital BrassWorks, Photo: Fred Cattroll

Capital BrassWorks is a 13 piece brass and percussion ensemble comprised of musicians mainly from the National Arts Centre Orchestra. We have been together for 10 years and enjoy the musical stimulation and contrast that performing brass and percussion chamber music brings to our orchestral careers.

Today Capital BrassWorks has the first of two rehearsals in preparation for a busy series of concerts next week. We are performing twice in the lobby of the NAC as part of MusicFest 2010 on May 20 & 21 and will perform at the Grand Re-Opening Ceremony of the Museum of Nature on May 22.

MusicFest is an annual festival where Canada’s best high school musicians come to compete and learn. Every other year the festival is located in Ottawa and hosted by the NAC. Capital BrassWorks has been asked by Yamaha Canada to perform two Edu-Concerts and we have chosen the theme of VERSITILE BRASS for our presentations. Our repertoire for these concerts runs the gamut of musical eras from the English Renaissance of William Byrd to the retelling of the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet on the west side of Manhattan in the 1950’s by Leonard Bernstein.

Soloists from CBW are featured throughout the program. Each soloist will speak about a different aspect of versatility that is required of a brass or percussion player if they hope to earn and maintain a professional career. Some of these topics include the difference between playing in a symphony orchestra as compared to that of a chamber musician and a soloist.

Each CBW musician has to master many instruments and musical performance styles. Following each performance we will provide an opportunity for the audience to ask us questions. Education is a big thrust of CBW. Many of us are busy and successful teachers and collectively we have a great deal of experience to pass along to future generations of brass and percussion players.

Capital BrassWorks is honoured to be asked to perform at the Grand Re-Opening of the Museum of Nature. This event is not only huge for the National Capital area but is also of national importance. Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, and the Right Honourable Steven Harper, Prime Minister of Canada will be in attendance. The first musical sounds that will be heard once the doors are opened to the public will be from Capital BrassWorks.

Douglas Burden
Bass Trombone
National Arts Centre Orchestra
Secretary-Treasurer, Capital BrassWorks