Founded in 1982, SOLID BRASS, a ten piece ensemble, is already recognized by audiences and critics alike as one of the premier brass groups in the country. The members of the ensemble are some of the New York area's finest musicians who have performed at Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and New York City Ballet, numerous Broadway Shows as well as a host of appearances as orchestral and chamber musicians in the metropolitan area. SOLID BRASS has recorded on the Musical Heritage Society label, Dorian Recordings, Joseph Grado Signature Recordings, and Craig Dory Recordings; and has appeared on PBS TV's 'The State of the Arts'. Musical arrangements are being published in the SOLID BRASS SERIES of Trigram Music Inc., Century City, California. SOLID BRASS has been a recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as the NJ State Council on the Arts. SOLID BRASS has performed across the country to sold out audiences and has toured twice to Canada and to Mexico. SOLID BRASS concerts have also been broadcast live on WQXR, New York City and WQED, Pittsburgh. In addition to concertizing, SOLID BRASS has given numerous workshops and clinics to college and high school audiences, as well as performing educational concerts for over 150,000 students under the auspices of Project Impact.

What the Critics Say

Proved itself not only virtuosic but also imaginative... their coordination was unfailingly precise.

-The New York Times

 

(Solid) Brass players shine at Troy... Here were ten players both adroit and expressive, and the program certainly didn't lack for variety.

- Times Union, Albany (NY)

 

They are like a breath of fresh air...and the audience ate it up. For lovers of brass sound, SOLID BRASS could be the team to root for. They cover themselves with honor... Their sound was marked by smoothness, good taste, just measure and rhythmic incisiveness, making them a force to be reckoned with.

- Newark Star-Ledger

 

The brass was Solid Brass and their (musical) selections were wonderful.

- The Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator

About the Members

DOUGLAS HAISLIP (trumpet), co-founder of SOLID BRASS, has performed with the major International Ballet Companies at Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Little Orchestra Society, New York Pops, and Colonial Symphony orchestras, and freelances in the New York Metropolitan area.

DAVID SAMPSON (trumpet) is a recent recipient of the Doctor of Musical Arts in trumpet performance from the Manhattan School of Music. A widely performed composer, he has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the NJ State Council on the Arts.

BARRY BROWNER (trumpet) is presently Co-Principal Trumpet with the Colonial Symphony and Principal Trumpet with the New Philharmonic of NJ. He has performed with the NJ Pops and Cathedral Symphony Orchestras. Besides being a freelance performer, he is an original member of SOLID BRASS.

JEFF HOLMES (trumpet) is on the faculty of Hunter College in New York and has previously taught at the University of Massachusetts. A well rounded musician , Jeff is frequently heard on various shows on Broadway, and his background in jazz has recently added a new dimension to Solid Brass performances.

TOM HOYT (trumpet) is on the faculty of Juilliard Prep in New York. A recent father as well as a recepient of a Doctorate in Music, Tom is a superb musician.

THERESA MACDONNELL (horn) , is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. She is currently playing first horn on the Broadway musical, Titanic. She has performed with the New York Philharmonic, NJ Symphony and other orchestras in the metroplitan area. Theresa has recorded for commercials, CDs and movies.

JoBETH CRIMMINS (horn) , a Masters graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, is currently subbing on the Broadway and with the New York City Ballet. In addition to freelancing, JoBeth has appeared as principal horn with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and on a European tour of West Side Story.

JANET LANTZ (horn) studied at the Juilliard School of Music. Originally from Florida, Janet frequently appears in Broadway shows, the Colonial Symphony and numerous freelance orchestras in the metropolitan area.

CARL DELLA PERUTI (trombone) co-founder of SOLID BRASS, is also a composer. He has received numerous commissions and won a NJ State Arts Council Fellowship in composition. He has performed as the principal trombonist at the Monadnock, Tidewater, and Strawberry Creek (California) Music Festivals, and has been the instructor of trombone at Rutgers University.

BRUCE EIDEM (trombone) is a graduate of theNew England Conservatory of Music. Bruce was principal trombone of the Gershwin revival on Broadway, "Crazy for You", and has recently become principal trombone of the Broadway hit "Big". Bruce is an expert in both classical and jazz idioms.

HANS MUHLER (trombone) is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. Hans worked as a brass instrument designer for Yamaha Corporation and has developed his own instrument design and repair business. He frequently appears with many freelance orchestras throughout the metropolitan area.

DON HAYWARD (trombone,bass trombone and tuba) has performed with the Group for Contemporary Music, the New Music Consort, and the New York Cornett and Sacbut Ensemble. He is also a member of the Slide Chamber Players and is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music. Don frequently plays on Broadway.

JEFF CASWELL (bass trombone) is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and the Manhattan School of Music. He performs with the Metropolitan Opera, NY City Ballet, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic Orchestras.

KYLE TURNER (tuba) has performed with the NY City Ballet, San Antonio Symphony, Lake George Opera Festival, and the South West German Philharmonic orchestras. He has toured nationally as a brass chamber music performer.

STEVE FOREMAN (tuba) began his musical studies at age 13 in Tacoma, Washington. A graduate of Oberlin College and the Juiliard School, he is currently an active freelance musician performing with such ensembles as the New York Philharmonic among others.

ADRIENNE OSTRANDER (percussion) is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Music and performed in the Broadway musical and TV production of 'Sunday in the Park with George'. She has performed in festivals in Germany, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia.

TOM MULVANEY (percussion) performs on Broadway in 'Grease' and many freelance engagements including jazz, shows , and orchestra performances. A versatile musician, Tom is frequently heard throughout the metropolitan area.

Visit Their Web Site

The Solid Brass ensemble maintains their own web site. For more information please visit the website by clicking here.