Of late, a new Tower Brass CD has meant it’s Christmastime.
The 36-year-old ensemble has put out two Christmas themed CDs, most recently “Snowed In… Again” since
its 20th anniversary CD.
Brass music, though, knows no season, and the ensemble is releasing its 10th recording in a balmier time
of year.
“Road Trip” is available at various sites online including the band’s website towerbrassquintet.com, and
from the members who are more than eager to share their latest offering.
The quintet will perform a Bowling Green parks concert in City Park June 14 at 7 p.m.
The CD is the first recording featuring Charles Saenz on trumpet, joining founding member Bernice
Schwartz, horn, Brian Bushong, trumpet, Dan Saygers, trombone and David Saygers, tuba.
Saenz isn’t really a new face in the group. For about 10 years he has been the quintet’s regular sub when
former member Larry Herman couldn’t make a gig.
Herman, a full-time freelancer based in Cleveland and with the Sarasota (Florida) Opera, had more and
more conflicts.
“We found we were working more with Charles than with Larry,” Dan Saygers said.
Saenz has toured with the group, and “he fit right in,” Schwartz said.
The trumpet professor at Bowling Green State University, he brings solid musical credentials.
“He’s such a good player, he’s helped us all step up,” Saygers said.
And, Schwartz noted, “he’s a good jazzer.”
The ensemble has decided, Schwartz said, to record when it has “worked up a significant amount of
repertoire.”
This session is linked to the quintet’s connection with composer Anne McGinty.
The quintet had recorded “A Christmas Fanfare” by BGSU alumnus Ryan Nowland and McGinty, who publishes
Nowland’s music, asked to include the recording on her website.
Based on that she requested they recorded a few more pieces for the site.
Those included her own “Drivethru,” a picturesque depiction of a suburban adventure to get food, complete
with the beeping of car horns.
Her arrangement of J.S. Bach’s “Fugue in E-flat Major (St. Anne)” also makes an appearance.
It’s the chance to perform music of that quality that keeps the ensemble together, Saygers said. “It
really is because of the music we create together. I’m sure all of us would have lost interest long ago
if we didn’t have those moments when this is really awesome. We’re still getting these opportunities.”
That includes the four-movement “Santa Barbara Sonata” by Bramwell Tovey,
“It’s a piece we think features each of the players in the group in interesting ways,” Saygers said.
The repertoire on the CD is more technically difficult to play than the repertoire featured on the
holiday sessions, Schwartz said.
The recording also includes Karl Pilss’ Scherzo that has been in the quintet’s repertoire dating back to
its early days,
It is one of the rare pieces for brass quintet from the Romantic period, Schwartz noted.
The set is bookended by an arrangement of “Pas Redouble” by Camille Saint-Saens, selected because it’s
sure to catch the listener’s ear, and a closing blast of jazz provided by “St Louis Blues.”
Saygers said the group debated including it because it is the only jazz piece in the set.
Still, it flows nicely after “State St. Stomp” the last movement of the “Santa Barbara Sonata.”
Recording has benefits for the group. “It improves our playing,” Saygers said. “It forces you to listen
to yourself a lot more carefully.”
Also, a new recording “does help create interest in the group.”
Tower Brass got its start as a graduate brass ensemble at Bowling Green State University. Schwartz said
the group was encouraged to persist after attending a seminar with the Annapolis Brass Quintet.
They told the young group “stay together and you will succeed.”
As it turned out Tower Brass has outlasted its mentors weathering personnel changes and difficulties of
maintaining a national profile while all the members have other full-time jobs.
The key is simple, Schwartz said: “We just really like what we do.”
