It only takes a spark to build a passion for music and the Spark Brass Quintet is bringing fire. The renowned Spark Brass Quintet is coming to Georgia and kicking off their tour at Rockdale County High School (RCHS) on January 12, 2024 with a day-long residency of workshops and classes, capped by an exciting evening of music for audiences of all ages at 7 p.m. at RCHS.

The quintet (trumpets, horn, and trombones played by Gary Mayne, David Ball, Kate Umble Smucker, Ed Jakuboski, and Ashley Cumming) with accompanying percussion and ensemble members are all professional musicians and educators teaching and working at universities, non-profit agencies, and ensembles throughout the country. Group hornist Ashley Cumming explains, “It is the mission of Spark Brass to present exciting programming for brass quintet alongside bringing new perspectives on music education to the community, and we are incredibly excited to work with such an enthusiastic and talented group of students at Rockdale County High School.”

Their January residency includes a day of workshops and concerts at RCHS on Thursday, Jan. 12. The evening concludes with a concert featuring the world premiere of “TANGO!” a concerto for brass quintet, percussion, and band written by Carleton Macy. Macy is Professor Emeritus of Music at Macalester College and his works have been performed and recorded worldwide. Spark Brass will be joined for the concerto and an additional work, “Carnaval”, by the RCHS wind ensemble led by RCHS Director of Bands R. Kevin Brown.

The concert showcases a variety of styles, from classics for quintet such as Josef Horovitz’s “Music Hall Suite” to original commissions such as Tyler Gilmore’s “A Pattern in Isolation” and jazz arrangements of “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Puff the Magic Dragon”.

The public is invited to enjoy this evening of fine music. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. The evening concert begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the RCHS Auditorium, 1174 Bulldog Cir NE, Conyers, GA 30012.

After the quintet’s day at RCHS, they perform at University of West Georgia, Columbus State University and Dickerson Middle School in Marietta. For the full schedule or more information, see www.sparkbrass.com.