The live experience
What reaches the room
The Empire Brass Quintet, founded in 1971 by Boston-area graduates who first met at Tanglewood, stands as a landmark in brass chamber music. As the first brass ensemble to win the Naumburg Chamber Music Award and the first to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1987, they have shaped the brass repertoire and performance practice for generations. Since 1976, they have served as the Faculty Quintet-in-Residence at Boston University and have sustained long-standing educational initiatives at Tanglewood and the Royal Academy of Music. Their recordings, largely released on Telarc and including the 2005 EMI-distributed A Bach Festival for Brass & Organ, showcase a rich artistic voice across centuries of repertoire. For fans and newcomers alike, Empire Brass offers a blend of historical significance and vibrant, accessible performances across concerts and educational programs.