Wright Brass

The Wright Brass is one of the sub units of the Air Force Band of Flight.

The musicians are chosen from the 45-member concert band and divide theirtime between the two groups.

Wright Brass is a brass quintet expanded to include percussionists and avocalist. Wright Brass personnel stay busy playing in military ceremonieson base and concert tours throughout the Midwest.

They have performed at a number of international music symposiums includingthe 1995 International Brassfest held in Bloomington, Ind. They have performedconcerts and master classes at many colleges and universities across thenation to include performances at the 1994 Rafael Mendez Brass Instituteat Arizona State University and the 1995 University of Cincinnati College-Conservatoryof Music Brass Day.

Wright Brass members are Chief Master Sgt. John E. Irish, trumpet and noncommissionedofficer in charge; Master Sgt. Michael A. Savard, tuba; Staff Sgt. CecilR. Benjamin, trombone; Staff Sgt. M. Edward Nagel, horn; Senior Airman J.Lawrence Wiley, trumpet; Airman First Class Jay P. Koupal, percussion; andfeatured vocalist, Senior Airman Amy J. Nagel.

Wright Brass features many of its own arrangements and has developed a completeentertainment package designed to appeal to diverse audiences.

The Wright Brass released its first recording, ``Blue Skies,'' in 1994.The group has commissioned works by such leading composers as James Curnow,Stephen Melillo, John Wasson and Chuck Sayre.

The group calls the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio home.