Spencer Brand
TRUMPETER
COMPOSER
EDUCATOR
NEWS/EVENTS
4/18/2023 //
Masterclass - Montana State University
I will be giving a class via zoom on Czech Trumpet Repertoire and Trumpet playing to discuss this deeply misunderstood set of repertoire and work with Dr. Stoneback's trumpet students.
4/1/2023 //
Romantic Favorites for Fools - Symphony of the Southwest
I will be playing Principal Trumpet for this unique concert that spans from Brahms' Academic Festival Overture to Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Visit their website for additional information.
2/19/2023 //
Phoenix Brass Collective - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
The Phoenix Brass Collective is presenting a concert program at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sun City as a part of the Church's classical concert series. The program will feature works by Shostakovich, Balmages, and many other favorites for brass. See the our YouTube announcement for details: PBC
About Me.
Dr. Spencer Brand is an active trumpeter, composer, and educator based in Phoenix, AZ. Brand currently teaches Trumpet and Aural Perception at Glendale Community College, AZ as an Adjunct Faculty. Additionally, he directs the Trumpet and Brass Ensembles at Mountain Ridge High School. Spencer is a performer and staff arranger for the Phoenix Brass Collective and serves as the coordinator for the annual PBC Young Artist Competition. Brand is a member of the MusicaNova Orchestra, and has performed as principal for the Symphony of the Southwest and the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, Brand toured the Czech Republic with the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra, performing in the Estates Theatre and Rudolfinum Hall.
Active as a composer, Brand has been commissioned to write music for various performers including the University of Minnesota Symphonic Band, Winona State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Chicago Public Schools and others. His music is often inspired and explores Minnesota nature, and he has presented on nature in Edvard Grieg’s music.
Brand earned his DMA from Arizona State University where his research centered on Czech trumpet playing and repertoire. Brand’s investigation of Czech musical style led to interviews and consultation with famous Czech trumpet players for his doctoral project, including the creation of a catalogue of over 200 Czech solo works for trumpet. Brand received his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance and Composition at Arizona State and holds a BMus in Trumpet Performance with a Management Minor from the University of Minnesota. Brand is an active member of the International Trumpet Guild and the Society of Composers, Inc. His teachers include David Hickman, David Baldwin, Robert Dorer, Ladislav Kozderka, and Albert Moore.
Education
2018-2021
Doctor of Musical Arts
Trumpet Performance
Arizona State University
As a doctoral student, I studied with Professor David Hickman and served as a Trumpet Teaching Assistant for two years. Some of my favorite memories from this degree included playing the solo for Ives' Unanswered Questions at the CBDNA National Conference and performing Principal Trumpet for ASU's award winning performance of Bernstein's Mass.
2016-2018
Masters of Music
Composition
Arizona State University
In addition to receiving a M.M. in trumpet performance, I earned a degree in composition as well, studying with Dr. James DeMars, Dr. Jody Rockmaker, and Dr. Kotoka Suzuki. I served as a Music Theory Teaching Assistant for two years. In addition to this role, I collaborated with several composers and performers as the Outreach Officer for ASU's Society of Composers, Inc. Chapter. My masters composition/project, included the composition of a Neo-Romantic sonata for trumpet and piano in the style of Richard Strauss.
2016-2018
Masters of Music
Trumpet Performance
Arizona State University
As a masters student in trumpet performance, I studied solo and orchestral repertoire with Professor David Hickman. It was during this time that I auditioned as was accepted to be a member of the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra.
2012-2016
Bachelor of Music
Trumpet Performance
University of Minnesota
During this time, I studied solo and orchestral repertoire with Dr. David Baldwin. I had the opportunity to perform in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra all four years of my degree, and perform in a freelancing brass quintet. In my senior year, I organized, sought funding for, and served as the Co-Host for the University of Minnesota Brass Symposium, an outreach event in Alexandria, MN.
Explore What I Do
Follow this link to a few recordings and collaborations that I have created and performed.
To learn more about my research of Czech Trumpet Music, follow this link to my dissertation and repertoire lists.
On this page is teaching philosophy, and information about my work at Glendale Community College in Arizona.
Listen and perform some of the music that I have composed for various performers and instrumentations.
