Sylvain Lapointe – founder/trumpet

Frédéric Gagnon – trumpet

Angelica Tombs – French horn

Blaise Margail – trombone

Sylvain Arseneau – bass trombone

The Canadian quintet Buzz Brass has been travelling the world and captivating classical music lovers since 2002. Whether alone or with guest musicians, Buzz Brass’s highly original performances consistently make a strong impression. The ensemble has given over 1,950 concerts for more than 500,000 music lovers across North America, Europe, and China. Over the years, Buzz Brass has earned numerous awards and honours—including Canada’s OPUS, ADISQ, and Trille Or prizes—in recognition of the quality and renown of its performances. With its innovative programs, acclaimed recordings, unique repertoire and broad appeal, the group has become one of Canada’s most reputable brass quintets. Recent projects include partnerships with recognized Canadian symphony orchestras such as those in Quebec, Winnipeg, and Sherbrooke, as well as with Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. The quintet has eight albums to its credit and continues working on new repertoire to record.

FAMOUS INSPIRATIONS CONCERT DESCRIPTION

Buzz Brass invites you on a vibrant journey through some of the most inspiring works ever composed. With original and inventive arrangements, the ensemble breathes new life into timeless masterpieces by Debussy, Dvořák, Satie, Bach, Liszt, and many others.

From the spiritual exuberance of Bach to the nostalgic colours of Dvořák’s America, through the contemplative poetry of Satie’s Gymnopédies and the flamboyant virtuosity of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody, each piece unveils a new facet when experienced through the warm tones of the brass quintet.

This program also shines a spotlight on outstanding Canadian composers like Hugo Bégin and Morley Calvert, offering unexpected discoveries and a nod to popular culture with the originality of Brass in Time. A true musical odyssey by Enrico O. Dastous, this piece bridges four centuries of music—from Renaissance works to contemporary cinematic worlds—showcasing the richness and diversity of the brass art form.

Every moment is designed to surprise, delight, and move listeners of all ages. Come and experience the power, emotion, and expressiveness of these masterpieces brought to life by Buzz Brass.

Photo credit to Michel Bérard

Depuis ses débuts à l’automne 2002, l’ensemble montréalais Buzz Cuivres s’est donné pour mission de faire reconnaître toute la richesse expressive du quintette de cuivres. Cette formation demeure souvent méconnue, voire injustement négligée, le public associant spontanément les cuivres davantage aux fanfares, à la musique militaire ou aux formations jazz et pop qu’aux raffinements de la musique de chambre. Pour transcender ces perceptions, l’ensemble propose à un vaste auditoire trois volets distincts : grand public, jeune public et symphonique. Grâce à ses propositions artistiques originales mêlant rigueur et divertissement, Buzz Cuivres ne laisse personne indifférent.

Avec plus de 2 000 représentations à son actif, l’ensemble a conquis plus de 500 000 mélomanes en Amérique du Nord, en Europe et en Chine. Son approche unique de la musique de chambre pour cuivres s’enrichit de collaborations avec des artistes invités au piano, à l’orgue, à la harpe et aux percussions, conférant à ses prestations un caractère énergique et joyeux particulièrement apprécié. L’ensemble élargit également son rayonnement grâce à ses productions symphoniques, collaborant avec des orchestres reconnus, tels ceux de Sherbrooke, de Québec, d’Edmonton ou du Centre national des Arts d’Ottawa.

La qualité exceptionnelle des prestations de Buzz Cuivres se reflète dans les nombreux prix et distinctions reçus au fil des ans : nominations ADISQ 2024 et 2010, Prix OPUS 2022, 2017 et 2014, Prix Trille Or 2015, Prix de la rédaction du Journal Three Weeks Edinburgh 2015. Cette reconnaissance critique s’accompagne d’un remarquable succès discographique, avec huit albums salués par la critique internationale, dont le récent Héritage (ATMA Classique, 2024).

S’appuyant sur un répertoire unique alliant œuvres originales pour cuivres et transcriptions audacieuses, Buzz Cuivres figure aujourd’hui parmi les quintettes de cuivres les plus réputés du Canada. L’ensemble continue d’enrichir le paysage musical, démontrant que les cuivres ont toute leur place dans l’univers de la musique de chambre.

CÉLÈBRES INSPIRATIONS DESCRIPTION DU CONCERT

Buzz Cuivres vous invite à un voyage vibrant à travers certaines des œuvres les plus inspirantes du répertoire. Grâce à des arrangements originaux et inventifs, l’ensemble insuffle une nouvelle vie à des chefs-d’œuvre intemporels signés Debussy, Dvořák, Satie, Bach, Liszt et bien d’autres.

De l’exubérance spirituelle de Bach aux couleurs nostalgiques de l’Amérique de Dvořák, en passant par la poésie contemplative des Gymnopédies de Satie et la virtuosité flamboyante de la Rhapsodie hongroise de Liszt, chaque pièce dévoile une facette nouvelle à travers les couleurs chaleureuses du quintette de cuivres.

Ce programme met également en lumière d’excellents compositeurs canadiens, comme Hugo Bégin et Morley Calvert, proposant des découvertes inattendues ainsi qu’un clin d’œil à la culture populaire à travers l’originalité de Brass in Time. Véritable odyssée musicale signée Enrico O. Dastous, cette pièce fait dialoguer quatre siècles de musique, de la Renaissance aux univers cinématographiques contemporains, révélant toute la richesse et la diversité de l’art des cuivres.

Chaque moment est conçu pour surprendre, ravir et émouvoir les auditeurs de tous âges. Venez découvrir toute la puissance, l’émotion et l’expressivité de ces chefs-d’œuvre magnifiés par Buzz Cuivres.

TOUR DATES: July 1, 2015 – May 31, 2016 (Ensemble in Residence)

BIOGRAPHY:

The Maritime Brass Quintet (MBQ) brings the highest caliber chamber music to concert halls, churches, festivals and schools across the Maritimes and beyond. The group is comprised of five of Canada’s finest brass players: Curtis Dietz and Richard Simoneau (trumpet), Gina Patterson (horn), Eric Mathis (trombone) and Bob Nicholson (tuba & bass trombone). MBQ members have studied throughout North America and performed or held positions with many of the world’s leading ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony, Toronto Symphony, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony and the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra. They also have experience playing in numerous smaller groups and ensembles, including Foothills Brass, Northumberland Brass, Honolulu Brass Quintet, the Jive Kings and the Canadian Brass. All MBQ members are dedicated educators as well as players, and are committed to working with brass players of all ages. Since forming in 2011, Maritime Brass Quintet has been gaining recognition as a leading brass ensemble in Canada and internationally.

Curtis Dietz, trumpet

In addition to performing with Maritime Brass Quintet, trumpeter Curtis Dietz is now in his sixteenth season with Symphony Nova Scotia. A native of Hanover, Ontario, he is a graduate of the University of Montreal and also studied at University of Toronto, The Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Banff Centre. Curtis has made orchestral appearances with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, I Musici de Montreal,  L’Orchestre Metropolitain and the Canadian Opera Company orchestra. In 2005 he was featured as lead trumpet in Neptune Theatre’s production of Chicago. He is currently on the faculty of the Acadia University School of Music.

Richard Simoneau, trumpet

Trumpeter Richard was born in Quebec City, and pursued his studies at the Quebec and then Montreal Conservatories. Following his graduation, he won a one-year contract to play third and assistant principal trumpet with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The next year he played principal trumpet with the Hamilton Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, before moving to his current position of principal trumpet with Symphony Nova Scotia in 1996. Richard has been heard on many occasions as soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia and with the Maritime Brass Quintet. Many of his performances have been recorded and broadcast nationally by the CBC. Richard has been on faculties of Acadia University in Wolfville and Universite de Moncton. He also acts as artist in residence at the Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax.

Gina Patterson, horn

Gina returned to Nova Scotia after seven years with Canada’s renowned Canadian Opera Company Orchestra where she played on many acclaimed productions and recordings. An experienced chamber musician, Gina has rehearsed with the Canadian Brass and performed on the live national broadcast of the Schubertian Celebration at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. She has played with I Musici de Montreal, performed at the New Brunswick and Indian River Chamber Music Festivals, and was a finalist at the CIBC National Music Festival. Gina has performed with orchestras across Canada, including Symphony Nova Scotia, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Newfoundland Symphony, and the Charlottetown Festival

Eric Mathis, trombone

Eric Mathis brings a variety of performance experience to the Maritime Brass Quintet. Associate Principal Trombonist of the Honolulu Symphony, Eric has performed with a number of orchestras including Royal Winnipeg Ballet Orchestra, Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also held positions in Northumberland Brass, Millar Brass Ensemble and Honolulu Brass Quintet. Now performing regularly with Symphony Nova Scotia and the PEI Trombone Mafia, Eric also gives regular recitals in Canada and the United States. He has also been featured with Richard Simoneau and Symphony Nova Scotia A dedicated educator, Eric teaches trombone at Dalhousie University and is a coach with the Nova ScotiaYouth Orchestra. While in Honolulu, he taught at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Eric received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University.

Bob Nicholson, tuba & bass trombone

Winner of two East Coast music awards with the Jive Kings, Bob Nicholson is enjoying a varied and successful career. He recently completed three years as tubaist with the Foothills Brass Quintet, performed for five years with The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto and for fourteen summers in the orchestra of Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival and is now pleased to be playing tuba and bass trombone with Maritime Brass Quintet. As an orchestral musician, he has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, CBC Toronto Jazz Orchestra and the National Ballet Orchestra among others. Theatre work ‘in the pit’ includes Toronto productions of Beauty and the Beast, Showboat, Crazy for You, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and numerous productions at the Charlottetown Festival. Bob studied at the University of PEI, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the University of Toronto and at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California. In addition to performing with MBQ, Bob currently teaches at Acadia University and Nova Scotia Community College.

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