The Polished Brass Quintet congratulates Ashley and Daniel!

11/09/2011 12:28:00

Saturday, October 22nd was a gorgeous fall day. Ashley Slack and Daniel Leighton couldn't have ordered more perfect weather for their garden wedding at Oxon Hill Manor. Over 100 guests joined them at the beautiful estate home which borders the Potomac River just south of Washington DC.

Pastor Lookingbill of Ashley's lifelong spiritual home, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Bethesda presided over the traditional wedding ceremony. The couple committed their personally-written vows as the gathered friends and family looked on through the crisp fall air. The splendid surroundings of the Manor house, and scrumptious food, refreshing drink and genteel service provided by the exquisite Windows Catering found the new couple and their family and friends thankful to be celebrating such a joyful event together.

The Polished Brass Quintet were humbled and honored to underscore this blessed occasion with Ashley's selections from Bach, Pachelbel and Mouret during the ceremony. Mouret's Rondeau was chosen as the bridesmaid's processional, and the Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel saw Ashley elegantly walking the aisle on the arm of her godfather. Bach's "Let My Spirit Be Joyful" set the pace for Ashley and Daniel's ebullient recessional.

Enhancing the friendly and informal patio gathering afterwards, we performed a selection of modern love songs and other light-hearted selections including Gershwin's "Our Love is Here to Stay", The Beatles' "In My Life", Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy" (Charlie Brown theme) and even James Brown's "I Feel Good"! Who knew a Brass Quintet could "rock out" (a bit)? Well we did!

Events like this mark the most important decisions in our client's lives. And we're reminded that meeting the occasion with thoughtfully-selected and beautifully played music is our mission. It's gratifying for us all to know that our mission helps make our client's event more memorable.

Congratulations Ashley and Daniel! May your love always grow, and your lives together be blessed, long, and full of joy (and great music!)

PBQ featured in "Bach to Rock" Concert in Arlington

11/07/2011 13:33:00

4 November, 2011

Central United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia graciously hosted the Polished Brass Quintet in an entertaining concert featuring special guest artist Jonas Bernstein, on guitar. The responsive audience was treated to renditions of Gabrieli's Canzona Per Sonare 3, Bach's Contrapunctus IX, and Sir Malcolm Arnold's Quintet for Brass in the first half of the program. While these classical masterworks showcased the PBQ's classical credentials it was the program's rollicking second half that really came alive!

Featuring guitarist Jonas Bernstein's deft and silky stylings on such numbers as Our Love is Here to Stay, the Beatle's In My Life, James Brown's I Feel Good and Quincy Jones's Soul Bossa Nova, the PBQ showed that brass shines in any setting. The 1962 Jones composition which experienced renewed fame as the "Austin Powers" theme song, also showcased an ad-hoc percussion section of good-naturedly surprised audience "volunteers"!

The audience also relished a "New Orleans-style" version of perennial hymn favorite Amazing Grace which began as a "funeral march" featuring Michael Fox's plunger-tinged trumpet wails, but concluded with a dancing, clarinet-esque obligato on the piccolo trumpet over the inevitable street beat that leads back to the French Quarter. And even after a demanding classical program, trumpeter Mike Barber led the PBQ through the James Brown and Quincy Jones hits with the commitment and precision of a Motown horn section.

Especially noteworthy was the rock-steady low brass section led by Ed Vinson's Tuba and Patrick Gillespie's Trombone with their confident statements on the dense and rhythmically active Malcolm Arnold Quintet, and Gillespie's Tommy Dorsey-smooth "Our Love is Here to Stay" slide work evoked the swing leader's mastery. Complementing this was Nara Hojvat-Gallin's Horn, which displayed the soaring leaps and multi-tonal colorings that exemplify the instrument's character.

The Music Ministry at CUMC should be commended on their ongoing commitment to providing excellent community arts events such as this. Their ministry touches many people in the community at large by feeding the soul in word and music.

The PBQ is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful series. It was a fun evening for us, and the audience and staff at CUMC heard some fine music, enjoyed the fellowship of good friends, and started their weekend in excellent spirits!

With Music in Mind

The Polished Brass Quintet congratulates Ashley and Daniel!

PBQ featured in "Bach to Rock" Concert in Arlington