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The BBBC's 2020 Kickin’ Brass Youth Seminar Goes Virtual
The Brass Band of Battle Creek is proud to announce that their 2020 Kickin’ Brass Youth Seminar will be held July 13-17 in an online distance learning format.
BBBC Resident Conductor Michael Garasi, along with BBBC musicians Joon Park and William Russell, spent the week of March 9 in Battle Creek working with area high school directors to promote the summer seminar just as the COVID-19 outbreak started to affect area schools. “Visiting high schools in the Battle Creek area in March was very exciting as we worked with young musicians and talked with them about the great opportunity to participate in the BBBC Summer student youth camp. Little did I know that I would be returning to Florida to face, as we all did, being confined to teaching and learning via the virtual classroom,” recalled Garasi. “Having now experienced more than two months of teaching and learning, I can tell you that while there are challenges, there are also great opportunities. Students are looking for ways to make and explore music, and they are eager to continue to study their instrument. I was thrilled when I learned that we, the BBBC, were willing to take a chance and offer our summer youth camp in a completely different and out-of-the-box format. Taking risks are always growing experiences and I would like to encourage all school brass and percussionists to join us for this first-time-ever virtual brass band camp. I promise they or you will not be disappointed!”
The Brass Band of Battle Creek’s mission is to bring joy, understanding and inspiration through the power of music, and they will once again provide an impressive faculty for the seminar. Teachers include notable professional musicians Tony Baker (Professor of Trombone- University of North Texas), John Beck (Professor of Percussion, Wake Forest University), Dave Coash (Percussionist, Florida Orchestra), Rich Kelley (Freelance Trumpeter, Boston Pops Orchestra); Rex Richardson (Trumpet Soloist and Professor of Trumpet, Virginia Commonwealth University), Gail Robertson (Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium Jazz, University of Central Arkansas), William Russell (Boston Brass, Professor of Tuba/Euphonium, Northeastern Illinois University) and Adam Unsworth (Professor of Horn, University of Michigan). Michael J. Garasi, will serve as the seminar conductor.
The 5-day seminar will feature daily sectionals and master classes led by the all-star faculty as well as listening sessions and discussions with Michael Garasi. There will be daily solo performances followed by Q&A chats allowing the students to ask questions and interact with the BBBC musicians. Each participant will receive three individual online lessons with a faculty member, and all of the students and faculty will collaborate on a “Virtual Band” recording project that will be released during the week following the event.
The Brass Band of Battle Creek is able to offer these programs because of our generous sponsors and donors. If you are interested in sponsoring the Brass Band of Battle Creek’s 2020 Kickin’ Brass Youth Seminar, or making a donation to the BBBC, please visit our website at www.bbbc.net or call the Business Office at (269) 789-2222.
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