On Nov. 2, the Shippensburg University Brass Ensemble held its annual Fall concert in Old Main Chapel. The fast-paced program made for a perfect Sunday afternoon performance and showcased a variety of genres and difficulty levels, from the dreamy melodies of David Marlatt’s “Earthscape” to Joseph Zawinul’s rhythmically energetic “Birdland.” 

Opening with Marlatt’s “The Uprising,” the piece’s powerful and driving rhythms conveyed a sense of forward motion that set the tone for the rest of the program. Shifting away from fanfare-like motifs, Camp Kirkland’s arrangement of Lowell Mason’s “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” featured a hymn-like texture that resonated throughout the chapel’s acoustics. The piece showcased the versatility of brass instruments, highlighting their richness and warmth. 

Marlett’s “Thor and Loki” offered variation in the program’s sound, establishing a narrative tone as the piece depicted the contrasting personalities of the two Norse gods. The dynamic contrasts and shifts in texture emphasized Thor’s commanding heroism against his more mischievous and cunning brother Loki. 

From mythology to American heritage, “Simple Gifts,” arranged by Jari Villanueva, brought a sense of tradition to the concert. The Shaker melody featured a tight layering of lyrical harmonies that opened into a livelier sound, emphasizing the splendor of the vintage American song. 

The ensemble’s penultimate piece, Marlatt’s “Earthscape,” was by far my favorite part of the concert. The lyrical melodies of the piece evoked images of Earth’s natural landscapes, showcasing the beauty and grandeur of the world we live in.

The concert ended on a high note with a powerful finale: Zawinul’s “Birdland,” arranged by Brian Bindner. This vibrant, high-energy piece had a jazz-like feel that you could not help but tap your foot to. It was a fitting conclusion to the program.

As a member of several SU music ensembles myself, I have heard how much work was being invested into this concert when passing through the halls of the Luhrs Performing Arts Center. What makes Ship’s ensembles special is the love and dedication to performing from its non-music major students. It is not a requirement to participate – every single musician on stage is there by their own choice, and the effort they put into the concert was evident. 

When talking with senior tuba player Mason Fink, he explained his reasons for returning year after year. 

“I wanted to continue to work on my musical skills and have the opportunity to perform in front of friends and family.” 

Sophomore Ryan Stone gave a similar answer. 

“It’s a way for me to increase my skills as a musician and to have fun doing what I love,” Stone said.

When asked why ensembles like this matter, director Trever Famulare emphasized their educational value. 

“Ensembles such as Brass and all Woodwind Ensembles provide a completely different learning environment and responsibility than in larger ensembles such as Concert Band or Marching Band,” said Famulare. “Students in these ensembles are typically ‘one on a part,’ which comes with more demand/accountability in their preparation and performance.”

Groups like Brass Ensemble give Ship students a way to grow as musicians at a university without being a music major, offering both learning opportunities and a community for student musicians to succeed. 

Ship’s music ensembles wouldn’t thrive without the support of friends, family and you. While this concert season has ended, the SU ensembles will be back in full swing next semester. For more information on upcoming concerts, follow @shipuband on Instagram. 

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