The Sound of Beacon Brass
“A fine blend which at times approached the kind of delicacy one expects of a string ensemble. As such, they are taking their place among the better chamber ensembles of today.”
—THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Behind the Music of Beacon Brass
Acclaimed in Bostonia Magazine as “one of the nation’s finest chamber ensembles,” the Beacon Brass quintet was the first brass ensemble ever to win the prestigious Concert Artists Guild award in 1983. Beacon Brass has performed in concert throughout the united states, on radio and television, including having recorded the theme music for “The Advocates” for PBS. In addition to concert venues, Beacon Brass has been featured at prestigious special events including a Carnegie Hall recital, the opening ceremonies of the John F. Kennedy Library and the centennial dinner for members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Beacon Brass is noted for their expertise across a wide spectrum of music, having presented nine world premiere performances and commissioned several new works including Scottwheeler’s brass quintet. In recent years, Beacon Brass has been featured in informal lecture/recitals with famed Boston Pops conductor, Keith Lockhart.
Ensemble Members
Trumpet
Dana Oakes
DANA OAKES, trumpet, is currently a member of the Boston Ballet and the Boston Philharmonic. He has performed with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Rhode Island Philharmonic, New Hampshire Symphony, and other regional orchestras. Dana is active in contemporary music performing with MusicaViva and Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Dana has recorded for PBS and A&E as a soloist and ensemble player. A graduate of the New England Conservatory he is currently on the faculty at MIT, the Boston Conservatory, and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
"The Beacon's was a good concert for execution, style, musical probity (and) for displaying the delicate songfulness at these fine players command."
The Boston Globe
