Brass Day
Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Brass Day
Registration Fee: $30
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Shenandoah Conservatory invites high school brass players from across the region to participate in Brass Day, a special event featuring general and instrument-specific workshops, informative sessions for those interested in pursuing a music degree, and performances by Shenandoah Conservatory brass ensembles and special guests.
Featured Guest
Jens Lindemann
Jens Lindemann is one of the world’s most celebrated trumpet soloists and the first classical brass soloist to receive the Order of Canada. A graduate of The Juilliard School and McGill University, he has performed in major concert venues around the world, appeared as a soloist with leading orchestras and artists, and served as lead trumpet with the renowned Canadian Brass. Career highlights include performances at the 2010 Olympics, London’s Last Night of the Proms and a Command Performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as well as appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Great Wall of China. Lindemann’s honors include Grammy and Juno nominations, Germany’s prestigious Echo Klassik award, several honorary doctorates and recognition as Brass Herald’s “International Brass Personality of the Year.”
Guest Ensemble
The U.S. Navy Band Brass Quintet
Since 1971, the Navy Band Brass Quintet has performed at ceremonies and events throughout the Washington area, including high visibility performances at the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Washington Navy Yard. The quintet’s repertoire includes over 400 works spanning six centuries, with many compositions arranged by its members. The group is comprised of Senior Chief Musicians Carl Lindquist and Colin Wise, Chief Musicians Jason Ayoub and James Hicks, and Musician 1st Class Caeley Jackson.
Brass Faculty
- Prof. Mary Elizabeth Bowden, trumpet
- Prof. Zachary Bridges, euphonium, tuba
- Dr. Jeff Cortazzo, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba
- Prof. William (Bill) Dunn, trumpet
- Prof. Craig Fraedrich, jazz trumpet
- Prof. Erik Lundquist, euphonium
- Dr. Matthew Niess, trombone
- Prof. Geoffrey Pilkington, horn
- Prof. Andrew Skaggs, trombone
Performing Ensembles
Shenandoah Conservatory Ensembles
- Ruebush Brass Band
- Trombone Collective
- Studio Big Band
2026 Brass Day Schedule
Vendors will be available all day during this year’s Brass Day event in Armstrong Hall, Room 39.
| Time (EDT) | Session | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration | Armstrong Hall Lobby |
| 9 a.m. | Welcome & Ruebush Brass Band Concert | Armstrong Concert Hall |
| 9:30 a.m. | Brass Masterclasses | Various Locations |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch Break (provided for those who registered) | Allen Dining Hall |
| 12:30 p.m. | The U.S. Navy Band Brass Quintet Concert | Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall |
| 2:30 p.m. | Shenandoah Conservatory Studio Big Band Concert featuring Jens Lindemann & The U.S. Navy Band Brass Quintet Each registered Brass Day participant will receive one complimentary ticket to the concert. | Armstrong Concert Hall |
Schedule subject to change.
Brass Studio Video Highlights
Vendors
Vendors will be available all day during this year’s event in Armstrong Hall, Room 39.
Baltimore Brass Company
The Baltimore Brass Company is a prominent musical instrument dealer specializing in the sale of new, used, and consignment brass instruments. The shop also features a full-service in-house repair facility, flexible instrument trial periods, and home-shipped rentals.
Little Dog Band Repair
Little Dog Band Repair will be on site all day with services available to students.
Greg Black Mouthpieces
Greg Black Mouthpieces specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality, handmade brass instrument mouthpieces—including specialized options for trombones, trumpets, French horns, tubas, and euphoniums—while providing professional custom alterations and replication services.
Financial Assistance
The $30 registration fee includes lunch, a t-shirt and admission to the full day of events.
Shenandoah Conservatory believes the arts are for everyone. Like all nonprofit arts organizations and higher education institutions, we strive to maintain our stewardship of limited resources and balanced budgets while intentionally removing barriers to participation and belonging. Full and partial scholarships are available to those who require financial assistance.
See the Brass Day Registration Form for more information about the registration fee and financial assistance.
Contact Us
Mary Elizabeth Bowden
Associate Professor of Trumpet
Shenandoah Conservatory
mbowden@su.edu