SUNY Brass Quintet Conducts Master Class for LMK Students

The Louis M. Klein Eighth grade band became audience members as the SUNY Purchase Brass Quintet performed an outreach concert for them. Led by Harrison alumnus Ulysses Torres, the group performed a forty minute concert for the students followed by a forty minute coaching/discussion class with the 8th grade brass students.

The guest artists allowed the LMK students to stand side-by-side with the collegiate quintet as they performed, creating an intimate atmosphere, while also giving the students an opportunity to pick up on small nuances in the performers’ playing habits such as breathing, posture, and communication.

LMK music teacher and Band director Robert Sachs worked with Mr. Torres, who was a student of Mr. Sachs when he was at LMK, to prepare the music students for the outreach event.

“Ulysses and I agree that Harrison music students should be exposed to local musicians in the area,” said Mr. Sachs. “In the future, we hope to establish a reciprocal relationship with local universities, where Harrison students can be exposed to an authentic experience of high quality music and learning, while university musicians can develop their performing skills through these outreach programs.”