American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen

Kevin Cobb, trumpet 
Brandon Ridenour, trumpet 
Eric Reed, horn 
Hillary Simms, trombone
John D. Rojak, bass trombone

The American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen (ABQS@A) is the country’s premier brass chamber music training program under the direction of the internationally recognized American Brass Quintet, which has been ensemble-in-residence and artist-faculty of the AMFS since 1970 and The Juilliard School since 1987.

The seminar consists of four weeks of intensive study devoted exclusively to brass chamber music repertoire, rehearsal techniques, and performance. Participants will also receive weekly private lessons with the members of ABQ.  

In addition to daily coaching and rehearsals, participants will attend open rehearsals of the American Brass Quintet, performance and relevant topic classes, and workshops (e.g., composer readings and community engagement activities). There will be at least one public performance per week to showcase the work accomplished in the seminar and a final concert in Aspen’s acclaimed Harris Concert Hall. 

All applicants are eligible for fellowship or scholarship consideration. Please see our Fellowships and Financial Assistance page to learn more about our many fellowship and scholarship opportunities.  

The program is rigorous and, thus, members of the American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen Program are expected to stay focused on their core curriculum and are not eligible to participate in concerto competitions. 

Important Program Information

  • Program offered Half Session I only
  • VIDEO audition recordings required
  • Resume required; 2 letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required

Teaching Faculty

How to Apply

APPLICATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15

The ABQS @A program will accept applications from individuals or preformed groups. Individuals who are admitted to the program will be placed into a brass chamber ensemble upon completion of enrollment. Established ensembles are not limited to brass quintets and can be any configuration of a mixed brass ensemble. These groups will be evaluated for admission as an ensemble. 

Applicants who are interested in applying to both the ABQS @A and the Orchestra/Instrumental program must submit an application to each program separately. Application fee waivers may be requested for the second application.  

INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS

  • Resume required
  • Two letters of recommendation encouraged but not required

ESTABLISHED ENSEMBLES

  • Group resume required   
  • Group and individual biographies required   
  • Two letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required.   
  • Each member of the group must submit a separate application and provide their group name at the time of applying. 

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

All of the following repertoire must be submitted in INDIVIDUAL VIDEO TRACKS.

INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS

  • Record a brief video (1 minute or less) stating why chamber music is of interest to you or what we might want to know about you  
  • Solo work with contrasting sections or movements and 2 contrasting etudes totaling no more than 10 minutes  

ESTABLISHED ENSEMBLES

  • Record a brief video introducing the group and discussing your goals for the program   
  • Brass Quintets:
    • EWALD: Moderato (1st Mvt.) from Brass Quintet No. 1 in B-flat minor  
    • At least two other contrasting pieces from the brass quintet repertoire, preferably one from the Renaissance (15th–17th C.)
  • Other ensembles:
    • 2 or 3 movements taken from the standard repertoire of the ensemble

Group leaders will submit a group resume, individual and group biography, and group audition videos. All other members of the group must submit a separate application including the group name and an individual biography, with no audition videos required.

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Application Fees & Deadlines

Deadline: January 5, 2025
Application opens September 15, 2024.

Application Fee(s):

$30 September 15–October 15, 2024
$60 October 16–December 15, 2024
$110 December 16–January 5, 2025