Axiom Brass Visits CB

Find out about this award-winning Brass Quintet’s visit to Christian Brothers.

Last Thursday, students in the Christian Brothers band got a special treat in the form of a workshop by Axiom Brass, one of the top brass quintets in the world.

“These guys are big time,” says Band Instructor, Mr. Travis Maslen.

The group has won countless awards in different countries, the most recent being the 2012 European City Passau International Competition for Brass Instruments.

This Chicago-based superquintet tours constantly, visiting many prestigious locations along the way.

“They had spent the day at Sacramento State and did a whole huge concert there,” Maslen says. “Then they came to us early the next morning to do a workshop”

The workshop was held for Honors Band, but many students in the instrumental music program attended the performance as well. Approximately 50 students attended the workshop.

The band, who usually perform in suits or tuxedos, dressed casually in sweaters and jeans, which made it easier for the various students to approach them with inquiries.

“They did a lot of question and answers” says Mr. Maslen.

Questions varied from where the band gets their pieces to technical instrument-specific questions. They even pulled out their instruments to demonstrate techniques.

All the students crammed into the little band room — many of whom had to sit on the floor — had a lot of fun, and learned a lot from this amazing group.

To find out more about Axiom Brass Quintet, you can visit their website at axiombrass.com.