Album Notes

All Denver Brass performances are driven by a philosophy of enriching lives and communities through music which stirs the soul and celebrates our culture and humanity. Using a broad array of tones and styles, and collaborating with unusual guest artists, The Denver Brass explores new frontiers in search of exhilarating and memorable sounds. One spring, The Denver Brass staff sat with a calendar looking for a new adventure. Their eyes landed on St Patrick’s Day. “Aha,” thought Kathy, “a holiday we haven’t explored. It will have to be brass and... bagpipes?” She took her idea to the Artistic Committee. After a very long discussion, the committee finally agreed, saying “It surely could not injure us... and it will certainly be loud.” (And we like loud!)

The Denver Brass enlisted the help of composer/arranger John Kuzma, and an awesome new sound was born. At the debut concert, the audience roared like teenagers at a rock concert. Five years later, the Celtic celebration had grown and could no longer be accommodated at Bethany Lutheran Church. On March 18, 2000, “Megalomania” played to a sold-out audience at the Denver Auditorium Theatre. With the inclusion of the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, Wick School of Irish Dance, tenor Todd Teske, and organist John Kuzma, The Denver Brass was inspired to create an entirely new concert design. Creative lighting and staging, coupled with a seamless flow of musical presentations using every possible combination of artists, created a dazzling and enriching concert experience. It was much more than a concert, and it would become a model for future Denver Brass productions.

Brass, Bagpipes & Co - Síochán! (Peace!) represents the thirteenth year of this innovative collaboration.