At the University of Tampa, there are various faculty music ensembles that perform quarterly in Plant Hall. These performances, entitled “The Minaret Concert Series” hold tradition to the Music Department.
Among these prestigious groups at UT, The Tampa Brass ranks high. Including four of the university’s own faculty, students can learn both from practicing and watching.
Dr. Jeffrey Traster, Chair of The Music Department, founded the band with Lyle Manwaring.
In 2006, he invited Professor Aric Brian to play trumpet. His addition rounded out the sound that has become the Tampa Brass today.
“Before coming to UT, I didn’t have a steady group I was a part of. The Tampa Brass is a great opportunity to play chamber music and it really is the most difficult thing I’ve done as a musician,” Brian said.
The five members presently include Lyle Manwaring on trumpet, Richard Sparrow on horn, Don Zegal on trombone, Jeff Traster on tuba, and Aric Brian on trumpet.
Together the band has performed at St. Petersburg College, The University of Tampa, and many high schools in the region.
“It’s good to perform at high schools and work with high school band classes for recruitment purposes. It gives the students a look into how careers are made out of music,” Zegal said.
Similar to OPUS, UT’s Broadway/Show-tunes ensemble, The Tampa Brass is looking into traveling outside of the Southern region.
“We’d love to get up North and do a tour sometime. It’s all still in the works, but I’m hoping it will happen soon,” Brian said.
As a brass quintet, the name is unique as it does not portray a specific number of musicians.
They purposely picked the name “Tampa Brass” to leave the group open for options. Upon arriving at one of their performances, you might only see three of them performing or perhaps even a solo.
It’s this flexibility and spontaneity that make this band stand out.
Being a music student, I’ve often been amazed at watching my professors perform nearly hours after attending one of their lectures.
“My hope is that when they see their mentors perform, they will be exposed to the level of excellence that can be achieved in performing chamber music. Through their attendance they receive the epitome of the music experience,” Zegal explains.
Aric Brian, the youngest member of the Tampa Brass remembers his college experience.
“I never had these opportunities; UT offers free, top quality, on-campus concerts every weekend. Everyone should take advantage of them; they are incredible.”
After a long day of giving lectures and teaching lessons, the five guys practice weekly.
“We did a Simmons piece back in September that we had been working on for awhile. To this day we are still working on it. This doesn’t just include playing our instruments; it’s about interpreting the music, developing a sense of its theme and building all of the parts to perfection,” Zegal explained.
This idea of pure dedication is definitely ingrained in their students, as all of them are involved in the various student ensembles offered.
Summed up in one line, Zegal explains, “There is simply no experience that takes you to a higher level than participating in performance groups.”
The Tampa Brass will perform Saturday, Nov. 15 in Fletcher Lounge at 7:30 p.m.
The Minaret > A&E > Music
Tampa Brass Brings Down The House
Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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