The 3rd annual Lamar University Brass Festival, March 1-3, on the LU campus, will feature trumpet artist Phil Snedecor, trombone artist Thomas Hulten, and horn artist Natalie Brooke Higgins, as well as many unique concerts and events, including a performance by the Brass Festival Artist Ensemble.

The festival kicks off with a 7:30 p.m. concert on Thursday, March 1 in Rothwell Recital Hall in the Simmons Music Building featuring new innovative pieces performed by various brass quintets, a tuba/euphonium ensemble, and a horn ensemble. Admission is free. Prior to the concert, there will be a free master class by Senior Airman Justis MacKenzie of the United States Air Force Band of Flight at 5:30 p.m. in Wiley Rehearsal Hall.

On Friday, March 2, the featured concert will take place at a 7:30 p.m. in Rothwell Recital Hall in the Simmons Music Building. The annual chamber music showcase will feature the Cardinal Brass and Honors Brass Quintets. Admission is free.

Master classes by festival artists and a demonstration by Pickett Brass Saturday will be the highlights on March 3. Exhibits will be held in the Wiley Rehearsal Hall in the Simmons Music Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. giving the public opportunity to try out new instruments and mouthpieces, and talk with brass company experts.

The Saturday schedule:

The Gala Concert, 7:30 p.m., March 3 in the University Theatre, will begin with trumpet ensemble and trombone choir works followed by the Lamar University Brass Choir performing selections from Gustav Mahler’s “Songs of the Wayfarer.” The second half of the program will feature the Brass Festival guest artists with Lamar music faculty in a combined professional brass ensemble. The Brass Festival Artist Ensemble will perform selections from Carl Orff’s masterpiece “Carmina Burana,” various brass arrangements of opera favorites featuring guest solo artists, and even a little rock’n’roll.

Admission to the gala performance is $5 and tickets can be purchased in cash only at the door.

For more information, contact the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music, at (409) 880-8144 or visit the Brass Festival web page.