The UW-La Crosse Symphonic Brass Quintet Scholarship

The Symphonic Brass Quintet is an important component of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Orchestra Program. The Quintet was established to offer an additional scholarship opportunity to highly qualified students performing in the UW-L Symphony Orchestra. The scholarship program is sponsored by Robert and Janet Roth. Besides their participation in the Symphony Orchestra, members of the Quintet have the opportunity to refine their performance skills and musicianship playing in a highly talented chamber music ensemble. The Quintet performs at least one concert per semester. The Quintet is coached by Tom Brown.

Make-Up:

  • two trumpets
  • one horn
  • one trombone
  • one tuba

Participation Requirements:

  • Recipients must be full-time enrolled students at UW-La Crosse
  • There is no major requirement
  • Recipients must be enrolled in the UW-La Crosse Symphony Orchestra

Audition Information:

  • A "live" audition is required
  • Auditions will be held during the second semester of the year before the scholarship is awarded
  • Auditions will be heard by:
    • UW-L Orchestra Conductor
    • Members of the UW-L brass and horn faculty
  • Auditions may be scheduled on regular Music Department audition dates or arrangements for a special audition date may be made with the UW-L Orchestra Conductor

Audition Requirements:

  • Major Scales: C, Ab, G, D and A
  • Harmonic Minor Scales: a, d, and f
  • Two contrasting solos or two contrasting movements from the same solo that demonstrate the student's musical and technical capabilities
  • A brief sight-reading exercise provided by the Music Department

Scales should be played at the student's maximum range and at his/her highest controlled speed

Solos may be played with or without accompaniment. If accompanied, student must provide his or her own accompanist.

Requirements & Obligations:

  • Quintet will rehearse a minimum of two (2) hours per week
  • Students will be expected to prepare outside of rehearsal time
  • Quintet will perform as a part of a concert or recital a minimum of once per semester
  • Members of the Quintet will be registered members of the UW-L Symphony Orchestra

Stipend:

  • Each student will receive a $500 scholarship. The scholarship shall be paid in two (2) installments of $250 per semester.
  • Remuneration from any paid performances (weddings, receptions, etc,) will be retained by the individual members of the quintet.

This scholarship does not affect nor is it affected by any other UW-L scholarships or grants.

Audition Aplication Form (PDF file)

The 2007-2008 UW-L Symphonic Brass Quintet:

  • Jacob Leonard - La Crosse - Trumpet
  • Zak Kaszynski - Burnsville - Trumpet
  • Stephanie Kuster - La Crosse - Horn
  • Christianne Swartz - Coon Valley - Trombone
  • Andrew Lato - Gilman - Tuba

The 2006-2007 UW-L Symphonic Brass Quintet:

  • Steven W. Ehrhardt - Fort Atkinson - Trumpet
  • Jacob Leonard - La Crosse - Trumpet
  • Stephanie Kuster - La Crosse - Horn
  • Christianne Swartz - Coon Valley - Trombone
  • Molly Censky - Sun Prairie - Tuba