A day of networking, mentoring, learning and music-making for adult and high school brass players who identify as female, non-binary, transgender or gender nonconforming.
BrassChix welcomes several leading female-identifying brass players to share their expertise with attendees. The day will be filled with instrument breakouts and large group sessions.
Dr. Angela K. Winter is an enthusiastic performer and educator currently serving as Professor of Horn and Director of Bands at Adams State University in Alamosa, CO. She has soloed, taught, and performed with a variety of ensembles throughout the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Europe.
Angela has recorded extensively, with releases on Ravello Records, GIA Publications, Klavier, Crescent Phase Records, and Highland Sound Productions. Passionate about chamber music, she performs and clinics extensively with a variety of chamber ensembles including the Madera Wind Quintet and Session Brass.
Dr. Izaguirre is an active freelance performer and educator currently teaching at Concordia College in Moorehead, MN. She enjoys a career forming the minds of young brass musicians from underrepresented communities through her work in the Intensive Community Program in collaboration with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Erika also enjoys performing in local chamber groups, orchestras, and music theaters.
As a soloist, Erika has commissioned and premiered works in New York and abroad by composers John Wallace, Sean William Calhoun, and Jorge Bennett. She has also performed at the Fringe Festival and has recorded for the Blue on Blue Recording Studio and for Blue Lake Public Radio. Additionally, Dr. Izaguirre has soloed with Greece Symphony Orchestra and performed with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, and Symphonia. Currently, Erika is working on a project that highlights the music of Mexican composers through performances, publications, and presentations.
Amber Love, Low Brass
Amber Love, an internationally recognized clinician, and performer holds a vast range of experiences in music education, performance, and the music industry. Amber is the Education Technology Account Manager at Hal Leonard, allowing her the opportunity to pursue one of her great pleasures, working with school districts and helping educators. Amber is focused on musical collaborations with racially and ethnically underrepresented women and gender non-conforming people in the professional world, collaborating with Athena Brass Band, BrassChix, Chromatic Brass Collective, Diversify the Stand, International Women's Brass Conference, Women of Namm, Greater Rochester Women’s Philharmonic, Chicago Outskirts, and various other groups. She also serves as an Executive Board Member of the Athena Brass Band.
Additional Guest Artists
In addition to the Guest Clinicians, BrassChix welcomes other guests who will lead sessions, perform, and share their expertise.
Cavitt Productions, our long-time Community Partner, has documented BrassChix participants and activities for many years. Photos and videos on this website are just a sampling of the fine work Cavitt Productions has done to capture musicians hard at work and play!
The Recording and Production Faculty at the Department of Music are top professionals in the industry. Michael Johnson and Gavin Linnehan are working closely with students Michaela Smith, Clare Howard, and Nate Iliff to produce the One Minute Drop project for this year’s gathering.
Samantha Hogen and Clare Howard (BA'23) will have featured compositions in this year's BrassChix event.
Brass Choir and Rock Band? YES! The final brass choir session will be joined by a rock combo from SheRockSheRock to jam on arrangements of "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "Love on Top" Explore this unique Twin Cities rock camp.
One Minute Drop
BrassChix who attend in person will record one minute of brass ensemble music in our new production studios. Our Recording Arts program faculty and students will collaborate with BrassChix throughout the day to record and mix a short excerpt of brass trio, quartet, or quintet music that you will receive prior to the day.
Schedule
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Arrival and Check-in
Brady Education Center
9:15 a.m.
Greeting Ritual
Dr. Sarah Schmalenberger greets participants in the auditorium. Live Zoom for online participants.
9:30 a.m.
Instrument-specific Warmup Sessions
Guest clinicians lead trumpets, horns, and low brass in specialized routines. Live Zoom for online participants.
10:15 a.m.
Brass Ensemble Reading Session
In-person participants gather to read large brass ensemble music and prepare music for the One Minute Drop small group recording session. Online participants browse on demand content.
11:00 a.m.
For the Record: Writing Your Story
Dr. Sarah Schmalenberger leads creative ideation prompts to spark reflective writing about your experiences as a brass player. Live Zoom for online participants.
1:00 p.m.
Guest Clinician Sessions
Guest clinicians will share their expertise on recording gear and techniques for the practice room and beyond. Dr. Izaguirre, trumpet, Dr. Angela Winter, horn, Dr. Ycaza low brass. Live Zoom for online participants.
3:00 p.m.
Brass Choir Session
Rockin' Brass Choir. Participants attending in-person will collaborate with a combo from SheRockSheRock to play down (and record!) "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "Love on Top."
4:00 p.m.
For the Record: Owning Your Narrative
Dr. Sarah Schmalenberger delves further into writing skills to document your brass journey. Live Zoom for online participants.
4:30 p.m.
Closing Ritual
BrassChix comes to an end through a closing ritual. Live Zoom for online participants.
Hornmatters.com, a site with articles on the French horn, brass related topics, and the field of classical music
Brass Bodies Study, an interview with Dr. Sarah Schmalenberger and Dr. Patricia Maddox
About BrassChix
Founded by Sarah Schmalenberger and Kara Bradshaw in 2009, BrassChix began as a gathering of female brass players from high school and college students through adults, to spend a day of playing and discussing music, sharing ideas and enjoying the camaraderie of playing a brass instrument.
The mission of BrassChix is to encourage female-identifying, non-binary, transgender and gender non-conforming students and adults who play a brass instrument. BrassChix forums aim to cultivate a network of peers and mentors among this cohort of brass players, through activities designed to engage participant’s music making and conversations about the rewards of playing a brass instrument.
