Natural Trumpet

Here's a link to a great collection of resources on the natural trumpet. It includes lists of books, websites, journals/articles, and methods books pertaining specifically to the natural trumpet. It also features a list of upcoming events and a very long list of current performers and ensembles which specialize in the natural trumpet.

HBS 25th Annual Early Brass Festival

For all of you early brass mega-fans out there, the Historic Brass Society is having the 25th Annual Early Brass Festival this summer, July 17 - 19th at the University of Connecticut, New London, CT. Early Music America has an information page on the event, as does the Historic Brass Society. Check it out!

Historic Brass Society

If you've enjoyed the overall subject matter and trappings of this blog, you should look into the Historic Brass Society. This is an international association dedicated to the study and performance of early brass music and instruments. If you've got an itch to scratch in the field of historic brass, they can help you scratch it.

Cornetto Solo

Crispian Steele-Perkins strikes again! Here he performers on a cornetto.

Washington Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble

The Washington Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble performs Claudio Merulo' Canzon 5 a 4. The Youtube page offers some nice information about the piece and the ensemble in the info box to the right if you're interested.

Musica Antiqua

Musica Antiqua is an ensemble resident at Iowa State University dedicated to the performance of historical brass instruments. They have tons of information on different instruments, some of which are not commonly known (like the lizard). The website also boasts performer bios, sample programs, and various honors the group has achieved.

That's a Strange One...

The serpent is without a doubt one of the stranger instruments created. It's oddities start with the fact that it is a hybrid of woodwind and brass instruments, much like the cornett. In order to have a nice low register, the body of the instrument must be very long, but people have short arms. The solution: snake the thing around. It looks odd, and awkward to play, but it became an essential bass voice in the cornett family.