Synergy Brass Quintet Press Release

Arkansas State University's Fowler Center Series

Presents

SYNERGY BRASS QUINTET

Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Riceland Hall, Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr., Jonesboro.

Synergy Brass Quintet performs more concerts than anyone in classical music today, averaging nearly 300 engagements per year. Acclaimed for "a veritable fireworks display of outstanding musical ability combined with superb showmanship" (Door Concerts, Inc) in addition to "blazing precision [and] amazing technique" (The Watertown Daily Times), the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the world's most exciting ensembles.

Synergy Brass Quintet "has hit on a magical approach...unadulterated exuberance, and a rock star approach of performing," (U.S.1). Their engagements have taken them to every corner of the United States including the Ravinia Music Festival in Illinois, the Bethlehem Musikfest in Pennsylvania, the Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachusetts, and internationally at the Festival de Musica de Camara de Aguascalientes. And, after hearing the ensemble at Tanglewood in 2003, Samuel Adler invited the Synergy Brass Quintet to perform on the premiere recording of his Transfiguration: An Ecumenical Mass. Synergy is often heard on National Public Radio, and in 2005 they broadcast on NBC with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

In addition to their rigorous performance schedule, Synergy Brass Quintet dedicates an enormous amount of time to the education of tomorrow's musicians and music-lovers. They have presented various programs at over 500 public schools from coast to coast, "[bringing] classical music to the kids in a way that they thought it was some pretty cool music. Not always an easy task to do...The students (even the non-band students) talked about you long after you were gone" (Bottineau High School, Bottineau, ND). Synergy teaches the various genres of music and composer backgrounds to "present a very educational program" (North Ward Elementary School, McCook, NE), making music accessible to all children.

Synergy Brass Quintet further educates musicians by presenting master classes and events at colleges and conservatories and will be conducting a master class for ASU music students. Similar master classes have be conducted at The Boston Conservatory, Manhattan School, Rice University, University of North Texas, Northwestern University, the San Francisco Conservatory, Arizona State University, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Eastman School of Music, and more. Having served as Quintet-in-Residence at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Synergy was commended for their "energy and dedication and musicianship." Other residencies include the International Festival at Roundtop and the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. These workshops, clinics, residencies and master classes enable the Synergy Brass Quintet to inspire a passion for music in the next generation.

Ticket prices are $30 and $20 for adults; $24 and $16 for ASU faculty and staff; $23 and $15 for senior adults and K-12 students; and $10 and $6 for ASU students.

Tickets for all Fowler Center Series events may be purchased by calling 870-972-2781 or 1-888-278-3267, or online at www.yourfowlercenter.com. On performance evenings, the box office in Fowler Center opens one hour prior to the event.

Visit www.yourfowlercenter.com for additional information or call the Fowler Center at (870) 972-3471.