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Concordia Nebraska music department hosts first "Low Brass Day"

by Hope Nelson

Seward, NE (04/22/2025) — On April 11, Concordia Nebraska hosted its first "Low Brass Day," made possible by a grant from the Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund. The event brought together high school students from across Nebraska who play the trombone, bass trombone, euphonium and tuba. The day was filled with masterclasses and rehearsals and concluded with a final concert in the Weller Chapel at 7 p.m.

Despite low enrollment numbers, the event educated student attendees on all aspects of professional performance. Adjunct Professor of Music Dr. Ian Rutherford, a trombonist, was involved in the event and said that he hoped the event was informative for all who participated.

"[Participants] learned about a wide variety of different concepts," he said. "They got to take private lessons from seasoned professionals, learn about orchestral and commercial playing, freelancing do's and don'ts, how to play in a large chamber ensemble of similar instruments and how professionals succeed in the field of music."

The event also featured a booth from Thompson Music, a brass-centered music store in Omaha, Neb. and concluded with a concert featuring the Concordia Nebraska Brass Ensemble, community and student guests and Rutherford's professional ensemble, Live and Let Slide.

Rutherford said that he hopes the event continues to be held at Concordia and that he sees immense value in getting students involved in professional music performances.

"I hope that [Low Brass Day] got Concordia and high school students excited about their instruments and how they can make a career out of them," he said.

He added that a trombone festival he attended while in high school led him to the school where he completed his undergraduate education.

"I became more passionate and knew it was something I could continue to be a part of in college," he said. "I want young students to get excited about music."

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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