Brass-a-palooza

February 1, 2025
SMSU Fine Arts Building

Brass-a-palooza is a day-long workshop for brass players.  The day will also feature guest trumpet player, Mark Nelson from the South Dakota Symphony.  The day will include brass choir rehearsals, a guest recital, a guest masterclass, and a Finale Concert.  The event is open to any and all brass players regardless of age or ability level.  It is also open to directors and other musicians interested in brass performance.

Registrations will be accepted beginning on December 16, 2024 with the following fee structure:
        Early registration (by January 24, 2025)--$10 per person  (includes lunch)
        Normal registration (after January 24)--$15 per person  (includes lunch)
        **Directors bringing 5 students or more can receive a discounted rate.  Contact Dr. John Ginocchio.

Online Application Materials will become available on December 16, 2024.

Schedule for the day:
        8:30-9:00 a.m.       Registration/Check-in
        9:00-9:30               Warm-ups
        9:30-10:45             Brass Choir rehearsal
        11:00-12:00           Guest Artist recital
        12:00-12:45           Lunch (provided)
        12:45-2:15             Masterclass 
        2:15-4:30               Brass Choir rehearsal
        5:00                       Finale concert

Guest Artist

Mark Nelson is a native of East Grand Forks, Minnesota. He began taking trumpet lessons from Herb Thompson while in the fourth grade. As a high school senior, he began studying with University of North Dakota professor Einar Einarson and continued studying with him for the next seven years. As a student at UND, Mark was featured as trumpet soloist with the Wind Ensemble on their 2001 Tour of England, Ireland and Scotland. After graduating from UND, Mark spent four years as principal trumpet with the Greater Grand Forks Symphony. He then went on to DePaul University in Chicago to pursue his master’s degree in trumpet performance. While there, he had the great opportunity to study with John Hagstrom of the renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass section. Mark has also performed with the Bemidji Symphony, the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony and the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, he was appointed as principal trumpet of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.