UMD School of Music Announces Inaugural Graduate Fellowship Brass Quintet
December 03, 2021
Members of Terrapin Brass will lead as emerging artists, mentors and ambassadors for the school.
The University of Maryland School of Music (SOM) has launched its first-ever graduate fellowship brass quintet, Terrapin Brass, as a way to further showcase its esteemed brass program, recruit the highest caliber of graduate brass students and compete on the highest level with the nation’s most prestigious music schools by offering generous funding and performance opportunities.
This graduate fellowship brass quintet is in addition to the string and woodwind graduate fellowship ensembles already offered by SOM and currently held by Thalea String Quartet and Ignis Woodwind Quintet, respectively.
Every two years, Terrapin Brass will bring together five new brass players from different backgrounds to study and perform. Each of the graduate fellows receive partial tuition remission and a stipend to pursue a Master of Music degree at the SOM while actively performing in the brass quintet, engaging in educational outreach programs and serving as ambassadors for the school.
As a core part of their training, they receive weekly coachings and mentorship under the tutelage of Distinguished University Professor Chris Gekker, who teaches both classical and jazz trumpet at the SOM.
Terrapin Brass’ inaugural members are Maria Carvell and Julia Tsuchiya-Mayhew on trumpet, Emerson Paul Miller on horn, Eusung Choe on trombone and Cameron Farnsworth on tuba.
After starting rehearsals in August, they made their performance debut in September during NextNOW Fest as part of the Music For All Terps Pop-Up Concert Series. The quintet has already performed in a masterclass for horn player Shelagh Abate and in another masterclass and concert at The Clarice with the Barclay Brass, whose tubist, Willie Clark, joined SOM’s faculty as adjunct instructor of tuba this semester.
“It was an honor to work and perform with these brass musicians of the highest level,” said the members of Terrapin Brass in a statement. “Their work has inspired our own group to continue to push the boundaries of classical repertoire and promote the art of brass music.”
The quintet also said that they are looking forward to future collaborations including ones that encompass both new music and new audiences.
In that vein, the group plans to perform around campus as well as represent the SOM in performances throughout the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) region during their two-year fellowship. Terrapin Brass will be featured on SOM’s upcoming Brass Concert on Monday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. and is planning their full-length debut recital for Spring 2022.
As part of their curatorial vision, the quintet said in the statement that they have chosen to feature the music of local composers past and present—such as Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake and Kevin McKee—in order to connect to audiences and inspire young local musicians. They have been rehearsing a wide variety of brass repertoire, including jazz, contemporary, classical and baroque styles.
To support the development of middle and high school musicians in the DMV area, Terrapin Brass partners with the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO) at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. The graduate students travel to MCYO rehearsals twice a month, where they coach students, demonstrate parts and lead sectionals.
In the statement, Terrapin Brass said that they look forward to sharing brass chamber music repertoire with a broad audience, from additional pop-up performances on campus to formal recitals and outreach concerts throughout the community. They said the experience will be invaluable to their growth as musical artists, advocates and teachers.
“We are excited for this opportunity to meet new friends and colleagues, learn from renowned musicians and connect with the community while intensively studying chamber music,” the statement said.
Follow the Terrapin Brass on Instagram @terrapinbrass for photos, recordings and the latest news and events.
MEET THE MEMBERS OF TERRAPIN BRASS:
Maria Carvell, is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Temple University in Spring 2021 and is a certified PK–12 music teacher. Carvell is now pursuing a master’s degree in trumpet performance at the SOM, where she studies with Chris Gekker.
Eusung Choe, from Plattsburgh, New York, completed his bachelor’s degree at Boston University studying trombone performance with Don Lucas. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in trombone performance at the SOM with Matthew Guilford.
Cameron Farnsworth is from Ashburn, Virginia, and is pursuing a master’s degree in tuba performance at the SOM studying with new faculty member Willie Clark. Farnsworth received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Shenandoah Conservatory.
Emerson Paul Miller, from Silver Spring, Maryland, is returning to the SOM as a graduate fellow after receiving his bachelor’s degree in horn performance. After studying with Philip Munds, Miller will now study with his father, SOM Director Gregory Miller. Emerson Miller participated in the National Orchestral Institute + Festival this past summer and is currently a substitute musician with the New World Symphony of Miami Beach.
Julia Tsuchiya-Mayhew is from St. Louis, Missouri, and is pursuing a master’s degree in trumpet performance at the SOM studying with Chris Gekker. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, and has attended summer festivals including the National Repertory Orchestra and Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival.
Photos by Laura Franklin and David Andrews.
