True North Brass - Coming to the Gravenhurst Opera House February 19th
True North Brass burst onto the scene in 1997, and has since solidified its reputation as one of the world’s finest brass ensembles. TNB’s membership includes two outstanding composer/arrangers who create the ensemble’s fresh and unique programming. Proudly Canadian in focus and expression with a truly international outlook, True North Brass has been welcomed not only in Canada, but in China and throughout North America.
True North Brass has released four critically acclaimed CD recordings, been featured on CBC Television’s Opening Night program, is heard frequently on CBC Radio, and has collaborated on other recording projects with the Elmer Iseler Singers, Rick Fox and Lori Cullen.
True North Brass was featured at the International Brass Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2000, and performed at the 2008 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Banff, Alberta. They accompanied Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s 1998 trade mission to China, performing recitals in Beijing and Wuhan and directing masterclasses at the Beijing Conservatory.
The quintet has also performed masterclasses and recitals at the Boston and New England Conservatories and toured British Columbia, Ontario, Tennessee, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Texas, New Hampshire, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Alabama, Florida and West Virginia. True North Brass has appeared at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival on three occasions, most recently in 2008. Recent performances of the quintet include concerts in Birmingham, Michigan, West Liberty, West Virginia, at the Westben Summer Music Festival, and at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. In 2008-09, True North Brass were Artists in Residence at the University of Western Ontario, and in the summer of 2009 they were in residence at Music by the Sea in Bamfield, British Columbia.
The members of True North Brass are Yamaha Artists associated with Yamaha Music Canada.
Richard Sandals is the newest member of the True North Brass. Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, he studied at the University of Western Ontario and at Indiana University. Since 2001, he has been principal trumpet of the National Ballet Orchestra. He is also co-principal cornet of the Hannaford Street Silver Band, and has been a frequent soloist with the band. Richard has performed extensively in and around Toronto with ensembles including the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, and the Esprit Orchestra.
True North’s Managing Director, Raymond Tizzard, is a founding member of True North Brass and for the past 30 years has been active in Canada’s classical music scene as a trumpet player and arts administrator. In addition to his duties with True North Brass, Ray is the Executive Director of The Hannaford Street Silver Band, Canada’s professional brass band (www.hssb.ca) and is the Assistant Orchestra Manager for the National Ballet of Canada.
Joan Watson is Canada’s foremost French horn soloist, principal horn, lecturer and educator. Joan is highly regarded as a consummate musician and skilled virtuoso. She is principal horn of the award-winning Canadian Opera Orchestra and a founding member of the prestigious True North Brass quintet, and was associate principal horn of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for 14 seasons, and has been principal horn of the Esprit Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Pacific Opera and Vancouver Opera Orchestras. Joan is frequently heard on CBC as a chamber musician and with New Music Concerts. As well you will hear her on numerous commercials, television shows and movie scores. Songs My Mother Taught Me is Joan’s solo CD and is a wonderful collection of favourite soothing tunes. A member of the University of Toronto’s faculty of music, Joan teaches horn and lectures on Performance Skills, audition preparation, practice tips, and creating a passionate and fulfilling life of music making. In 2008, she released a highly-acclaimed CD of Christmas music entitled The Call of Christmas.
Alastair Kay, Head of Brass at Humber College is busy as a clinician, arranger, composer, and a virtuosic jazz and classical soloist. He has performed with leading artists and entertainers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Rob McConnell, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, and Andrea Bocelli. Al performs regularly around Toronto with the bands of John MacLeod, Roberto Occhipinti, and Hilario Duran, and has played for most of the musicals in Toronto for the past 30 years. His association with Yamaha has led him to Japan helping design a trombone, and performing with the Xeno Trombone Quartet.
Tubist Scott Irvine cannot be categorized. His arrangements and compositions are regularly featured by a variety of ensembles and have been documented on several CBC discs. His remarkable instrumental gifts (Don Ferguson of the Royal Canadian Air Farce calls him “Tuba Tyrant Extraordinaire”) have found him in constant demand in musical situations ranging from the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra to Sharon, Lois and Bram’s Elephant Show. Beware!
