BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – On Sunday, Jan. 15, West Virginia Wesleyan College will host its first BrassFest, featuring the West Virginia Brass Quintet.

“Chamber music is an extremely important element to developing musicians, and having the opportunity to hear and learn from a group such as the West Virginia Brass Quintet will provide fantastic benefits for Wesleyan and visiting students,” Robert Palmer, Director of Athletic Bands, said. “As a brass player myself, I am eager to learn from them as well!”

Brian Plitnik, trombonist for the West Virginia Brass Quintet, added, “The West Virginia Brass Quintet is truly honored to be a part of the inaugural BrassFest at West Virginia Wesleyan College. This first-of-its-kind event will undoubtedly become an annual tradition on campus. High-school and college-age students will have a chance to perform and hear us perform, but we are most excited about the opportunity to get to know area brass players and address specific music performance issues in both the masterclass and roundtable discussion sessions. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to expand your knowledge and improve your brass musicianship!”

There will be two concerts throughout the day; an opening concert featuring the WV Brass Quintet at 1 p.m. and a finale concert at 7 p.m. featuring guest artists, members of the Wesleyan community, and a festival Brass Ensemble. Both concerts are in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts and are free to attend.

The West Virginia Brass Quintet (WVBQ) formed in June 2009 is one of the most exciting chamber ensembles in West Virginia. This versatile group’s repertoire spans five centuries of music, from Renaissance and Baroque to Contemporary to Dixieland Jazz with an emphasis on traditional American music. With members living more than one 150 miles apart, the WVBQ goes to great lengths to sustain their passion for music making.

From their annual Holiday Residency at the famous Greenbrier Resort to Artist Series Concerts at the Tamarack Center in Beckley and Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg to myriad church services, weddings, and civic functions, the West Virginia Brass Quintet has performed extensively throughout the Mountain State and surrounding areas.

The members are Joel Cotter and David Dayton-trumpet, Andrew Scott-horn, Brian Plitnik-trombone, and Logan Lindsey-tuba. More information can be found on their website at wvbrassquintet.com.