On October 25, 2014, the University of Florida Symphonic Brass, under the direction of Adjunct Lecturer James E. Jenkins was invited to perform at Jacoby Symphony Hall in Jacksonville, Florida, as preconcert entertainment for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks Series concert. The nearly 1,000 audience members enjoyed beautiful, familiar works, such as Nessun Dorma and Ave Maria, as well as exciting fanfares. The performance opportunity stemmed from the group’s participation in the American Choral Directors Association’s (ACDA) South East Regional Conference, where the Symphonic Brass performed William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the 300-voice ACDA Conference Choir.
Not only was the October 25 preconcert performance an enjoyable experience from the audience’s perspective, but the students enjoyed the opportunity to play for such a great crowd.
"It was inspiring as a student to play at such a performance venue knowing this is the exact place where we want to end up and play at as a career,” said Kris Hartman, a graduate student trumpet player with the group.
Earlier this fall, the UF Symphonic Brass performed as part of the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Gala, and was equally well received. The UF Symphonic Brass will have many performance engagements in the near future, including a collaboration performance with the world renowned Dallas Brass and the Brass Department from the University of North Florida.
