Brass Day Festival and Competition

The award-winning Bala Brass are winning the hearts of audiences around the globe with their infectious spirit and enthusiastic performances. Dedicated to furthering the art of brass music performance, Bala was invited to participate in the Osaka International Chamber Music Festa in Japan in 2001, and was awarded the bronze medal at the 2001 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, as well as being honored as a finalist in the 2001 Coleman Chamber Music Competition.

Highlights of Bala's 2005 season included the world premier of Robert J. Bradshaw's new piece entitled Right Then. Same Time Tomorrow? at the 2005 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, and a feature recital at the 2005 New York Brass Conference.

In addition to its rigorous performance schedule, Bala is strongly committed to fostering music through education. In keeping with this mission, the quintet conducts master classes and educational concerts for young persons extensively, having been featured recently on such high school and college campuses as UMASS, UCONN, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Lakeside College, the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College-State University of New York, Phillips Academy, and Bridgewater State College. Bala was also the featured ensemble in residence at the 2004 Shepherd College All-Star Brass Weekend. Continuing its drive to promote brasswind chamber music, Bala is active in commissioning new works for the genre. The 2006 season includes the release of Bala's first full album of music for brass quintet, including two never before recorded full-length quintets.

The United States Coast Guard Brass Quintet performs in a variety of capacities, greatly augmenting the scope of the full Coast Guard Band. Most notable was the quintet’s appearance on the Cable News Network (CNN) in 1986 as part of the centennial celebration for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Each year the quintet performs patriotic openers for many cabinet level functions in Washington, DC. The quintet performs a repertoire ranging from classic brass literature to marches and popular genres. As one of the busiest small ensembles in the Coast Guard Band, the quintet travels extensively during the year, often performing when the full Coast Guard Band is not available.