The IUP Department of Music brass faculty hosted the second annual IUP Brass Day on Sunday, February 18, 2024. This year, the Brass Day guest artist was Italian trumpeter Andrea Tofanelli. All IUP brass students as well as area middle and high school musicians participated.
Participants in IUP Brass Day were formed into a brass ensemble that was 50 members strong. The ensemble was conducted by brass faculty, Joe Herndon (trumpet), Jeremiah Umholtz (trombone), and Zach Collins (tuba and euphonium).
Andrea Tofanelli is one of the leading jazz trumpet players in the world. He has performed as a solo guest or first trumpet with Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band and with jazz luminaries that include Peter Erskine and Randy Brecker. At Brass Day, he soloed with the IUP Jazz Ensemble under the direction of IUP faculty member Jim Flowers. Herndon joined Tofanelli for a rendition of Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust.
Maestro Tofanelli also taught two IUP music students in a master class format earlier in the day. The IUP Trumpet Ensemble, Horn Choir, Trombone Choir, Tubaphonium Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble performed for the Brass Day guests.