Barry the Bee would approve of the next act coming to Ohio University for the Performing Arts and Concert Series.
A highly-regarded brass quintet, Boston Brass, will perform at the Baker Center Theatre on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for students, $8 for senior citizens and $10 for general admission.
The group has been together for 30 years and has traveled to 49 states and 30 countries, according to its official website. Though a brass quintet may seem out of the ordinary for a college campus, Andrew Holzaepfel, the senior associate director of student activities, believes that a younger audience is what the group is aiming for.
“If you check out their YouTube videos, they are trying to attract a younger audience,” he said. “Both from the pieces they are doing and their approaches to the videos they are using.”
Though some students may have not heard about the group before, they are certainly responding to the many posters and other advertisements that have been hanging around campus. For some students, like Chris DiVitto, a background in brass instruments has enticed them to go to the performance.
“I just like brass bands,” DiVitto, a freshman studying media arts and studies, said. “I play a brass instrument myself and just being able to see someone that talented is just interesting to me.”
Advertisements also have appealed to those other than instrument lovers. Other students, like Grace Miller, have backgrounds in other areas and just wish to see a wonderful live performance.
“I’ve always been interested in the arts.” Miller, a freshman studying communication, said. “I did drama in high school and my friends were in the band, and I want to go out and experience more things since I’m at OU. I thought this would appeal to my interest.”
Boston Brass is sure to please all audience members. The group describes the music in its performances as a “wide selection of musical styles in unique arrangements, provided in a friendly and fun atmosphere.”
The group may not be one that attracts those who wish for more modern hip-hop or pop music on campus, but having groups like Boston Brass visit is a great way to help meet OU's goal of education.
“I think we need everything, and that's kinda what our mission with the Performing Arts Series is,” Holzaepfel said. “You will have everything from country to classical and everything in between.”
Tuesday night holds a lot of different expectations from the various students and locals who plan on attending.
“I hope they play intense kind of stuff,” DiVitto said. “I mean I like hearing fast, tricky parts being played.”
Others interested in attending Tuesday have more relaxed expectations on what they will hear from the group.
“Just some pretty good music I guess,” Miller said. “I don’t know really what to expect.”
