Thursday Morning Brass, led by conductor Aidan Chamberlain, opens the Old First Night celebration Aug. 4 in the Amphitheater.
ROCCO PRIOLETTI
Staff Writer
At 4 p.m. today in Fletcher Music Hall, Music Director Aidan Chamberlain will conduct Thursday Morning Brass through their final concert of the season.
The community-based brass band originally began as an endeavor of three newly retired friends who met at Chautauqua Institution. Since its humble formation 25 years ago, the group has grown to host 18 members from varying backgrounds — from local brass teachers to retired Rochester Philharmonic and Syracuse Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Before leading the band with a baton in hand in 2022, Chamberlain performed with the band as a trombonist. He noted the fun assortment of music that Thursday Morning Brass’ program has to offer Chautauquans.
“We play some classical, some jazz. We’ve got some funk music this time. We’ve even got ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.
So, we’ve got a really wide variety of music, and it’s a great sounding group,” Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain noted that the band will play contemporary pieces as well. Included are two suites composed by the London-based trumpet player Ryan Linham. The other comes from a familiar face in the group.
“We do have a new piece by Mark Lenz, who is a trombone player in the band. He used to be in the Rochester Philharmonic and retired from that, but he’s playing with us,” Chamberlain said.
Each year, Thursday Morning Brass provides a scholarship for a brass player through volunteer donations.
The group is supported by The Jason and Nancy Weintraub Chautauqua Band Community Band Endowment Fund. Jason Weintraub founded the Community Band in 1990, conducting it until his passing in 2022. Weintraub was succeeded by Chamberlain who, in addition to leading Thursday Morning Brass, is the band’s music director.
