Air Force brass ensemble performs local concert

Published by Concordia University, Nebraska 8 years ago on Fri, Apr 10, 2015 9:55 AM
The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band’s Offutt Brass will perform a community concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska. Concordia’s Brass Ensemble will join the Offutt Brass for a classic John Philip Sousa tune during the performance.

The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band’s Offutt Brass, a pioneering brass quintet, will perform a community concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska. The concert is free and open to the public. Students from the Concordia Brass Ensemble will join the Offutt Brass for a musical selection during the concert.

“The Offutt Brass is an outstanding ensemble. This event will be filled with exceptional music and energy that the community will enjoy from start to finish,” said Dr. Wendy Schultz, director of the Concordia Brass Ensemble. “The Concordia students in our Brass Ensemble are honored to have the opportunity to work closely with this band. It's a great educational experience to be able to play in an ensemble with professionals.”

The Concordia brass musicians will participate in a master class with Offutt Brass on the afternoon of the concert in preparation for playing “El Capitan” by John Philip Sousa during the evening performance.

Offutt Brass is stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Comprising two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone, a tuba and percussion, the group performs a diverse repertoire featuring classical music, patriotic favorites, jazz standards, new compositions and arrangements. The Airman musicians proudly represent the more than 325,000 Air Force professionals around the world who protect and defend the nation’s freedom.

In addition to performing community concerts, Offutt Brass provides patriotic music and fanfares for military ceremonies and important civic events. The group also conducts educational clinics throughout Nebraska. 

Students in the Concordia Brass Ensemble include:

  • Ryan Gross, junior, Riverside, Calif., trumpet
  • Jennifer Reynolds, senior, Fort Wayne, Ind., trumpet
  • Hannah Weber, senior, Manchester, Iowa, trombone
  • Jessica Krome, senior, Fairmont, Minn., horn
  • Zach Hagenson, senior, Bellevue, Neb., tuba
  • Nicolas Harding, senior, Yerington, Nev., euphonium