The Oakland University Brass Band has been rehearsing extensively for its upcoming recital in Varner Hall on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
The evening will be a night filled with vibrant repertoire and collaboration, showcasing an expansive array of works. But this concert marks an outstanding milestone: it is the first concert of the season since being accepted to compete in the World Music Contest (WMC) on July 11, 2026, in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
The WMC is the competition of a lifetime, the Olympics for bands. Wind bands, marching bands, brass bands and other types of ensembles from around the world compete in this competition every four years. In order to fulfill this endeavor, the band is in need of just over $50,000.
Earlier this summer, Brass Band conductor Kenneth Kroesche submitted an application to be considered. It included a history of repertoire executed within the past decade. The committee recognized how the band is one of fifteen to twenty university brass bands in the country and one of only two that consistently goes to the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Championships every April. Thanks to its national and international reputation, they were the one out of ten in its division selected to compete.
The OU Brass Band was established in 2009 by Kroesche who in addition to being the director is a professor of music specializing in trombone, euphonium and tuba. He has performed with top ranking orchestras like the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and in the U.S. Army Band at the West Point Military Academy.
Ranking top in the country in numerous festivals has become regular. It tied for first place in the 2025 NABBA Championships; Grand Champions of the Grand Champions of the Dublin Festival of Brass in Dublin, Ohio in 2018 and 2019; placed second in the division and were the highest placing American band in the history of the competition at the 2015 Butlin’s National Brass Band Festival & Competition in England; won the First Section of the NABBA Championships in Grand Rapids, MI in 2014.
Five pieces will be performed at the Thursday night concert: “Fanfare for a New Era” by Edward Gregson, “I Vow to Thee My Country” by Gustav Holst and Geoff Knorr, arranged by Phillip Littlemore, “Concertante for Piano and Brass Band” by Edward Gregson, featuring guest artist Dr. Tian Tian, the choice piece that will be used for the 2026 NABBA Championships and the jazz standard “It’s All Right With Me” by Cole Porter, arranged by Tom Brevik.
“There is nothing like hearing a brass band live, and there is something for everyone on this program. The sound of the group is such a visceral experience because there is so much energy in the room that’s produced by brass and percussion instruments. I created the program with the idea in mind that it would have a lot of variety and be engaging for the average listener,” Kroesche said.
“The choice piece selected for the April 2026 NABBA Championships has solos for virtually every student in the band. Playing in a brass band today is like playing in a chamber ensemble because everyone is responsible for their own part. If someone wants to come and hear students perform, virtually every individual has some sort of solo role in this group,” Kroesche said.
More information is to come regarding how contributions can be made. Checks can be made out to Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Please make sure the OU Brass Band is mentioned in that contribution.
