Summer Classical Music Series: Atlanta Brassworks

Atlanta Brassworks is proud to be one of the oldest continuously performing brass quintets in the country. It was originally formed as the Charleston Brassworks in 1987 by the bass trombonist of the Charleston Symphony, modeled after the American Brass Quintet, which utilizes a bass trombone. Soon after its formation, the founder won a position with the Nashville Symphony, and the remaining Atlanta-based members relocated the group to Atlanta and renamed it the Atlanta Brassworks. After some trial members, they chose to utilize a tuba instead of a bass trombone on the bottom part.

In 1990, after a recital at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, they were selected to be the resident brass ensemble, providing music for Easter, Christmas Eve, and select Sundays, as well as weddings and funerals — including the service for dignitary Zell Miller, attended by three former U.S. presidents. Through the decades they have performed recitals in many states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Dakota, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Today’s members also serve as principal brass players in the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera, Columbus (GA) Symphony, Georgia Symphony, Greenville Symphony, and other ensembles. Individually, they have performed rock ‘n’ roll with Springsteen, The Who, Matchbox Twenty, and Sinéad O’Connor; musicals such as The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Chicago, and 42nd Street; jazz and big band with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and at the Blue Note; chamber music with the Empire Brass; and classical music with the Atlanta Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony.