Lexington Brass Band

The Lexington Brass Band makes its second appearance at the Great American Brass Band Festival, having first played in 1998. The non-profit arts ensemble has gained international recognition for its musical performances since it was formed in 1992. Last spring, the group was featured at the prestigious All England Masters Brass Band Festival in Cambridge, England.

The band took a 10-day concert tour in connection with this invitation, which included a special recording for BBC Radio 2.

Further measure of the group's success included its acclaimed 1997 invitational performance at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. A non-competitive member of The North American Brass Band Association, the band hosted 1998 International NABBA Brass Championships, which brought over 1,200 brass musicians to Lexington. In 1998, the band was featured at the International Trumpet Guild's annual convention, with the outstanding British comet virtuoso, Roger Webster, as its guest. The group also joined the Lexington Philharmonic for its annual Picnic With the Pops concert series.

Lexington Brass draws its membership from the brass faculties of five area colleges and universities (Asbury, Eastern Kentucky, Georgetown, Kentucky State, Morehead State and the University of Kentucky), public school music educators, students, and talented amateurs from a variety of professions.

The band is committed to the pursuit of musical excellence through the medium of the British-style brass band.

The band has made several compact discs, its most recent titled "Images In Brass," a dynamic program featuring the many talented soloists in the band, and "Master Brass 2000," including highlights of its acclaimed concerts at the All England Masters in Cambridge, England. Its first CD, "Good Company," also features the outstanding soloists in the band as well as Philip Smith, principal trumpet with the New York Philharmonic, and Vincent DiMartino of Centre College and a founding member of the Lexington Brass Band.

The music director, Ronald Holz, holds the rank of professor of music literature and instrumental music at Asbury College, where he oversees the music history and chamber music programs and conducts the college orchestra.