History

The Northwest Brass Festival (NWBF) is a collaboration among Brass Band Northwest, Seattle Pacific University and Common Tone Arts. The Northwest Brass Band Festival was launched in January 2003 by Denny Schreffler and Steve Hubbard.  Their intent was to bring together British-style brass bands from the Pacific Northwest for a day of music, learning, and fun. Common Tone Arts established the Trumpet Arts Festival in 2008 focusing on educating young trumpeters. In 2015, the groups combined forces to present one,  all encompassing festival and welcomed Seattle Pacific University as host.

Governing Board

Brian Chin
Kimberly Chin
Chris Hansen-Murray
Judson Scott
John Stava
Kelsey Thompson

Contact

northwestbrassfestival@gmail.com

2019

Conductor: Lee Harrelson
Soloist: Helen Harrelson

Participating bands:

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Brass Band Tacoma
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, SA
  • Spokane British Brass Band
Lee Harrelson leading Brass Band Northwest with Helen Harrelson, baritone soloist

2018

Conductor: John Falskow
Soloist: Peter Bond
Recitalists: Peter Bond, John DiCesare
Participating bands:

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, SA
  • Spokane British Brass Band
Peter Bond, cornet and John Falskow, conductor with Brass Band Northwest

2017

Conductor: Michael Garazi
Soloist: Scott Hartman
Recitalists: Scott Hartman, Alexander White
Participating bands:

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, SA
  • Spokane British Brass Band
Michael Garasi with the Seattle Temple Band

2016

Conductor: Stephen Allen
Soloist: Allen Vizzutti
Recitalists: Steve Fissell, Allen Vizzutti
Participating bands:

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, Salvation Army
  • Spokane British Brass Band

Solo competition winners:

  • Gregory Ketron, trombone
  • Zan Kitsner, euphonium
Allen Vizzutti and Stephen Allen with Brass Band Northwest

2015

Conductor: Stephen Bulla
Soloist: Charles Villarrubia, tuba
Participating bands:

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, SA
  • Spokane British Brass Band

Solo competition winners:

  • Clayton Dungey, tuba
  • Stephen Abeshima, euphonium

 

Charlie Villarubia, tuba, in masterclass

2014

Conductor: Jamie Hood
Soloist: Jens Lindemann, trumpet

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, SA
  • Spokane British Brass Band

 

Jens Lindeman and Jamie Hood rehearsing with Brass Band Northwest

2013

Conductor: Salvatore Scarpa
Soloist: Doug Yeo

  • Brass Band Northwest
  • Puget Brass
  • Seattle Temple Band, SA
  • Spokane British Brass Band
Sal Scarpa rehearsing with Puget Brass

2012

Conductor:  James Gourlay
Soloist:  Helen (Tyler) Harrelson
• Brass Band Northwest
• Oregon Brass Society (Eugene OR)
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, SA
• Spokane British Brass Band

Helen Tyler and James Gourley

2011

Conductor: Larry Gookin
Soloist:  John Neurohr
Clinician:  Curtis Peacock
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Cariboo Hill Temple Band, SA
• Humboldt Bay Brass Band (Arcata CA)
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, Salvation Army
• Spokane British Brass Band

Larry Gookins and James Neurohr

2010

Conductor: Patrick Sheridan
Soloist:  Allen Vizzutti
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Cariboo Hill Temple Band, SA
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, SA
• Spokane British Brass Band

2009

Conductor: Douglas Yeo
Soloist:  Deanna Swoboda
Clinician:  Gunnar Folsom
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Cariboo Hill Temple Band, SA
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, SA

2008

Conductor:  Tom Bough
Soloist:  Danny Helseth
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Cariboo Hill Temple Band, SA
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, SA
• Spokane British Brass Band

2007

Conductor:  Frank Renton
Soloist:  Mark Babbitt
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Cariboo Hill Temple Band, SA
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, SA
• Spokane British Brass Band

2006

Conductor:  Mark Gould
Soloist:  Stephen Fissel
Clinician:  Gunnar Folsom
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Little Mountain Brass Band
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, SA

2005

Conductor:  James Curnow
Soloist:  Don Immel
Clinician:  Paul Hansen
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Little Mountain Brass Band
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Band, Salvation Army
• Spokane British Brass Band

2004

Conductor:  Philip Sparke
Soloist:  Rick Pressley, Trumpet
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest
• Little Mountain Brass Band (Vancouver BC)
• Puget Brass
• Seattle Temple Salvation Army

2003

Conductor:  Steve Hubbard
Soloist:  Steve Hubbard, trumpet
Clinician:  Paul Hansen
Clinician:  Chris Olka
Clinician:  Don Immel
Participating Bands:
• Brass Band Northwest (Bellevue, WA)
• Puget Brass (Seattle, WA)
• Seattle (WA) Temple Salvation Army
• Spokane (WA) British Brass Band