Album Notes

PLEASE NOTE: you can listen to different audio clips of the P, H & SS album at http://www.sacredaudio.com/psalms-hymns-spiritual-songs-p-821.html, where individual tracks or the entire album is available for digital download. Our CD was Sacred Audio's featured album for the month of July in 2009.

With their debut recording, Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs, Artisans in Brass follows in the brass quintet tradition, and furthers that tradition with an emphasis on the musical heritage of American Protestantism.

The album contains fourteen arrangements, (recorded for the first time in quintet settings) featuring fifteen well-known songs drawn from standard hymnody. The selections span a period of some 300 years, reaching from the late 1600's to the mid-1900's. The CD title reflects the diversity contained within this collection: Psalm settings like My Shepherd Will Supply My Need and The Lord's My Shepherd, hymns of both European and American origin, such as Praise to the Lord, the Almighty and Lead On, O King Eternal, and spiritual songs reflecting the Christian experience, as typified by Heavenly Sunlight and It Is Well with My Soul.

Eleven of the tracks were arranged by AiB's members, with a conscious effort to reflect a wide variety of musical style within the album. Influences from the high Renaissance can be seen in My Faith Has Found A Resting Place, the Baroque in O Worship the King, the Classical era in Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the Romantic period in Holy, Holy, Holy, the first half of the 1900's in Channels Only and On Jordan's Stormy Banks, while there are even hints of Minimalism in All Hail the Power. On careful examination, references to the writing prowess of several composers can be heard: William Byrd, J. S. Bach, F. J. Haydn and W. A. Mozart, Gustav Holst, Aaron Copland, and John Williams.

AiB has endeavored to display the flexibility capable of the modern brass quintet with features for each instrument, the inclusion of powerful and majestic settings juxtaposed with lyrical and reflective sentiments, and contrasts between full voicings and various utilizations of one, two, three and four instruments. It is our hope that these songs in new settings will ultimately point to the Giver of our talents and the Inspiration of these melodies-the omnipotent God revealed in the Bible (Who promises salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.) In the words of the inimitable J. S. Bach, soli Deo Gloria!



Artisans in Brass is an ensemble of Christian professionals who desire to use their talents to exalt Jesus Christ through the performance of the finest brass literature. Members are located across the United States and gather periodically for concert tours, recording, and educational seminars. The quintet's history dates to 2001 when George Dougherty first contacted Rick Nichols about assembling a group of like-minded brass players with the ability and desire to explore and perform sacred and traditional repertoire.

Since their first gathering in the summer of 2002, AiB has performed sacred concerts in the Southeast and Midwest, presented recital programs for colleges, and performed summer "concerts in the park." The ensemble's repertoire features a combination of sacred and classic music that spans five centuries. Christmas and patriotic selections are also a part of the group's book. Plans are underway for continued concerts and recitals in the US, a mission trip to Europe, and additional recording projects. To schedule AiB and for the latest in concert venues or other information, please visit the quintet's website: ArtisansInBrass.com