Brass Ensemble
Since its formation, the MUN Brass Ensemble has assumed an important place in the musical life of both the School of Music and the city of St. John’s. Under its director, Dr. Karen Bulmer, the MUN Brass Ensemble has appeared regularly on the Music at Memorial concert series and has participated in collaborations with the Lady Cove Women’s Choir, Newman Sound Men’s Choir, and the MUN Festival and Chamber Choirs. The group has even performed at Folk Night at The Ship Pub! In September, 2008, the MUN Brass Ensemble toured the coast of Labrador presenting educational and community concerts in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Northwest River, Makkovik, Hopedale, and Nain. One of the goals of this trip was to explore and renew interest in the important but little-known Moravian brass band tradition that was once a vital part of church and civic life in these communities.
The MUN Brass Ensemble is committed to exploring and performing a wide range of music including contemporary and standard repertoire for brass ensemble, transcriptions of music written for other instruments, and music drawn from brass playing traditions around the world. Each spring, the MUN Brass Ensemble premieres a new work by a MUN student composer. Recent commissions include pieces by Ian Baird and Jonathan Rowsell.
