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| Degrees Available | About
the Brass Program | Brass Faculty |
Degrees Available
- Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Master of Music in Performance
- Master of Music in Performance & Literature
- Certificate in Performance
- Doctor of Music
About the Brass Program
For more than 40 years, Northwestern’s brass department
has enjoyed the highest international reputation as well as a
close relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Both
institutions have shared such legendary brass performers/pedagogues
as Frank Brouk and Dale Clevenger, horn, Vincent Cichowicz, trumpet,
Frank Crisafulli, trombone, and Arnold Jacobs, tuba and euphonium.
Today’s faculty members continue the tradition of performing
teachers. Each one has extensive orchestral experience,
being a current or former member of the CSO, and is an active
chamber musician.
In
addition to private lessons, brass-specific instruction includes
studio classes, orchestral excerpt classes, and chamber music.
Students also have access to the many resources found only at
a major research university as well as the thriving world-class
cultural scene in the Chicagoland area. Many develop active
freelance careers during their student years.
While each studio maintains the highest level of professionalism,
students are very supportive of one another and form friendships
that often last a lifetime. They enjoy close relationships
with their teachers as well, and receive a great deal of individual
attention so that their technical development and growth as artists
can be closely monitored.
Each year, Northwestern brass students and alumni amass prizes
and honors at the highest level. For the past three
years, trumpet students have placed first in the International
Trumpet Competition. The current trumpet section of the
Civic Orchestra of Chicago – the training orchestra of
the CSO – comprises all Northwestern students. Tubists
have won the Leonard Falcone Competition.
Graduates of the brass department hold important positions in
performing and academic institutions worldwide, including the
Associate Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, solo
tuba player in the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, and principal
horn of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
All entering DM students receive the equivalent of full
tuition funding.
Contact for further information:
Brass Faculty
William Barnewitz
Lecturer, Horn
w-barnewitz@northwestern.edu - 847-491-7609
Principal horn, Milwaukee Symphony and Santa Fe Opera Orchestras.
Recent Activity
Former associate principal horn, Utah Symphony Orchestra. Performances with Summit Brass, New York Chamber Soloists, and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival as well as with Music in the Mountains, Vermont Mozart Festival, and Peninsula and Grand Teton Music Festivals. Frequent solo, chamber music, and lecture appearances. Numerous solo recordings. Grand prize winner, American Horn Competition. Studied with James Chambers at the Juilliard School and Frederick Bergstone at the North Carolina School of the Arts. 
Barbara Butler
Professor, Trumpet
b-butler@northwestern.edu -
847-491-7228
BMus, Northwestern University
Recent Activity
Soloist with Music of the Baroque, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. Former member, Eastman Brass, Eastman Virtuosi, and Vancouver and Grant Park Symphony Orchestras. Performances, recordings, and broadcasts with St. Louis, Chicago, and Houston Symphony Orchestras and New York Philharmonic. Solo appearances with major orchestras and festivals. Recitals and master classes presented worldwide. Recordings and international broadcasts with Eastman Brass, Music of the Baroque, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and CBC Radio. Former faculty member, Eastman School of Music and University of British Columbia. Studied with Vincent Cichowicz and Adolph Herseth. Peter Ellefson
Lecturer, Trombone
p-ellefson@northwestern.edu - 847-491-7228
Biographical information to come.
Charles Geyer
Professor, Trumpet
c-geyer@northwestern.edu - 847-491-7228
MMus, Northwestern University
Recent Activity
Co-chair, Department of Music Performance. Soloist with Music of the Baroque,
Chicago Chamber Musicians, and Grand Teton Music Festival. Former member, Eastman
Brass, Eastman Virtuosi, Chicago Brass Quintet, and Chicago Symphony, Grant
Park Symphony, Houston Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestras. Solo
appearances with major orchestras and festivals. Recordings and international
broadcasts with Chicago and Houston Symphony Orchestras as well as Eastman
Brass, Music of the Baroque, and Chicago Chamber Musicians. Has given recitals
and master classes worldwide. Former faculty member, American Conservatory
of Music, Rice University, and Eastman School of Music. Studied with Herbert
Stoskopf, Adolph Herseth, and Vincent Cichowicz. Christopher Martin
Lecturer, Trumpet
Biographical information to come.
Rex Martin
Professor, Tuba and Euphonium
rexm@northwestern.edu - 847-491-7228
MMus, Northwestern University
Recent Activity
Recitals and master classes throughout North America, Europe, and the Far East. Studio musician heard in 3,000 television and radio commercials. Performer on more than 70 recordings with Chicago and St. Louis Symphony Orchestras. Performances with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Symphony II, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Fulcrum Point, Tower Brass, and such performers as Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Sarah Vaughan. Host of 1995 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference. Outstanding Alumni Award, Illinois State University. Studied with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, and Edward Livingston. 
Michael Mulcahy
Professor, Trombone
m-mulcahy2@northwestern.edu - 847-491-4771
ASCM, New South Wales Conservatorium of Music
Recent Activity
Member, Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Former principal trombone, Cologne Radio Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, and Tasmanian Symphony. Principal trombone, Grand Teton Music Festival. Member, Chicago Chamber Musicians and Summit Brass. Former head of brass, Canberra School of Music at Australian National University. Winner, international music competitions in Munich, Vercelli, and Markneukirchen. Accomplished conductor specializing in contemporary music. Music director, National Music Camp of Australia. Active as soloist, teacher, lecturer, and clinician in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. 
Gail Williams
Professor, Horn
g-williams2@northwestern.edu - 847-491-4765
MMus, Northwestern University
Charles Deering McCormick Professor. Member (1979-98) and associate principal
horn (1984-98), Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Principal horn, Grand Teton Music
Festival Orchestra. Founding member, Chicago Chamber Musicians and Summit Brass.
Former principal horn, Lyric Opera of Chicago. Faculty member, Swiss Brass
Week. Honorary doctor of fine arts, Ithaca College. |
