EIU Media Relations

U.S. Air Force Brass in Blue Ensemble to Perform Free Concert

The U.S. Air Force Brass in Blue brass ensemble, one of the premier brass ensembles in the Midwest, will perform at Eastern Illinois University's Doudna Fine Arts Center on Sunday, March 27.

The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall.

Representing more than 325,000 Air Force professionals around the world, Brass in Blue showcases the service’s excellence and precision. The ensemble features brass, percussion and a vocalist.

Several EIU musicians will be featured in the concert. EIU faculty member Jemmie Robertson will be a trombone soloist in "Three Scenes for American Trombone"; faculty member Andrew Cheetham will serve as conductor as EIU music students join the military ensemble for "America the Beautiful"; and Barry Houser, interim director of bands and director of the Panther Marching Band, will conduct "The Pines of the Appian Way."

The program will also include "Overture to 'Candide'" by Leonard Bernstein, "Extraordinary Machine" by Fiona Apple, "Buzzin' the Bee" by George Gershwin, "The Frim Fram Sauce" and "Amazing Grace."

The U.S. Air Force Brass in Blue brass ensemble debuted in February 2007. They have performed twice at the Grand Teton Music Festival, been guest performers with the Kansas City Symphony, and been featured at Omaha’s Organ Vesper Series.

In October 2008, Brass in Blue presented “Slides Across the Heartland,” which featured world-renowned trombone soloist Joseph Alessi and 76 trombonists performing Meredith Willson’s “76 Trombones” to much acclaim from military and civic leaders.

In November 2009, the group returned from a 70-day deployment to Southwest Asia in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and several Department of State initiatives.

Tickets are free, but there is a limit of four per household. Tickets may be obtained at the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office. For more information, call 217-581-3110 or e-mail doudna@eiu.edu.

The concert is sponsored by Brookstone Estates Senior Living and the Journal Gazette/Times-Courier.