Brass students at Colorado State University have the opportunity to play in the school’s top ensembles including two orchestras, three concert bands, two jazz bands, three jazz combos, and a world-class marching band. There are also many chamber opportunities including large brass ensemble, trumpet ensemble, horn ensemble, quintets, quartets, and trios. These ensembles have been featured at regional and national venues, conferences, and events such as the Colorado Music Educators Association, American Bandmasters Association, International Trombone Festival, the International Horn Society of America, the Pepsi Center for the Denver Nuggets, Mile High Stadium for the Denver Broncos, department tours, the 9New Parade of Lights, and many more.
In the brass area, undergraduate students study extensively with a professor of their instrument, not primary instruction from graduate students. Instrumental studios work in a competitive, yet friendly environment, creating great musical growth in the ensembles. In addition to personal instruction from their professor, combined studio classes give students the opportunity to work with other professors, providing depth and breadth to their weekly experiences.
Graduate brass students can expect the same opportunities as undergraduates. Due to previous experience, it is common for graduate students to be at or near the top of their respective sections following ensemble auditions. Graduate students are eligible for teaching assistantships and often help with instruction in various fields, including studio lessons, chamber coaching, and assisting with classes such as Music Appreciation.
Prolific brass guest artists visit CSU every semester, giving students exposure to professionals in the field as an avenue for a diverse and comprehensive education.
These experiences foster development toward becoming a well-rounded person, world-class performer, and successful teacher.
Study With
John McGuire
- Associate Professor of Music
- Horn, Chamber Music
- Brass Area Coordinator
Drew Leslie
- Associate Professor of Music
- Trombone
- Undergraduate Coordinator
- Music Minor Advisor
Brass Events
Spring 2024 Student Recitals / FREE
Flute Studio Recital / FREE
CSU Marching Band Q&A: Webinar #1
Joel Bacon x Soundtracks
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
Lecture Recital-"Music, then Film: Julie Giroux's Symphony No. 6: The Blue Marble. A Film Composer's Immersive Experience for Wind Band"
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
North American Baroque Trumpet Conference and Competition
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
North American Baroque Trumpet Competition Opening Concert: A Baroque Extravaganza / FREE
North American Baroque Trumpet Conference and Competition
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
North American Baroque Trumpet Competition Awards Ceremony and Closing Concert: Baroque Trumpet Spectacular! / FREE
The Meaning of Democracy: a moderated panel
Keynote conversation with W. Kamau Bell: Race, culture, and democracy
Indigenous Governance Traditions: Native Nationhood, Sovereignty, and Democracy
Trombone Studio Recital / FREE
Alumni Night Out with the CSU Marching Band
Viewing of The Five States of Colorado
Democracy at CSU Panels
Practicing Democracy Open House and Civic Skill Building Workshops
Screening of Join or Die
Lessons and Legacies of the Civil War for American Democracy
Guest Artist Series: Michelle Kesler, Cello, and Scott Holden, Piano
Jazz Combos Concert
Democracy Expo
Living into a deep democracy: practices for reclaiming citizenship
Closing Keynote with Robert Putnam: the Erosion of American Democracy and the Upswing
Brass Area Chamber Music / FREE
CSU Trombone Choir Concert / FREE
Voice Area Recital / FREE
Wind Symphony Concert: Garden of Dreams
2024 Clarinet Composers Festival: Mangani Mania!
2024 CSU Marching Band Spring Game Extravaganza
Fall 2024 CSU Color Guard Live Auditions
Saxophone Studio Recital / FREE
Virtuoso Series Concert: Faculty Chamber Music
Jazz Ensembles Concert: Guest Artist Jon Gordon, Saxophone
Symphonic Band Concert: Song and Dance Part II
Spring Choir Concert: My Life Flows On in Endless Song
CSU Percussion Ensemble Festival Concert
Fall 2024 CSU Drumline Live Auditions
Double Reed Studio Recital / FREE
String Chamber Music Concert / FREE
Concert Band Concert: Musical Memories / FREE
Graduate String Quartet
Concert Orchestra Concert: Ancient Airs and Echoes / FREE
Piano Studio Recital / FREE
University Symphony Orchestra Concert: Propulsion!
World Percussion Ensemble Concert
CSU Marching Band Q&A: Webinar #2
2024 Summer Voice Intensive
2024 CSU Jazz Summer Workshop
CSU Marching Band Preseason Virtual Q&A
2024 CSU Percussion Camp
2024 Colorado Harp Seminar
2024 Organ Week
2024 CSU Brass Workshop
Concert Version: Bye Bye Birdie
2024 International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A.
CSU Band Day
CSU Alumni Band at 2024 Homecoming and Family Weekend
2024 CSU Honor Band Festival
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Brass News
Fourth annual Trumpet Day at CSU
The fourth annual CSU Trumpet Day occurs at the University Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 4, 2024. The day-long event features guest artists Dr. Chloe Swindler and Gabriel Mervine to discuss their careers and trumpet-playing ideas. CSU Trumpet Day, led by trumpet professor, Dr. Stanley Curtis, is a day of learning and performing […]
Percussion Professor Shilo Stroman works with marching bands across the state
Shilo Stroman, senior instructor of music for percussion and marching band drumline, shared his marching expertise with many Colorado high school marching bands throughout the competitive season. “Now that the marching band season in Colorado is officially over, I’d like to thank the ensembles who trusted me to create music for them,” said Stroman after […]
Brass Blog
A Run-Out to Brazil
Well, this trip unexpectedly turned into quite the adventure! Clarinet Professor Wesley Ferreira and I left Colorado on Sunday, June 25, to head to Natal, Brazil for the 2017 International Horn Symposium, held at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). This is the largest single French horn event in the entire world […]