Getting Down to Brass Tacks

Brass has to be one of the most idiomatic words in English: brass tacks, top brass, brass farthings, brassed off, brass ring, brass neck, etc.

Practically speaking (getting down to brass tacks), brass was one of the first human alloys, and is made of copper and zinc. It is unique in being both hard enough to be very durable and resistant to wear, yet soft enough to be pliable, making it is easy to form into different shapes.

Like, say, trumpets and trombones and tubas – made from brass because this produces a warm tone when played well.

BRASS FACTS

• Brass is highly conductive, making it one of the more important metals used to manufacture electrical components.
• The color and hardness of brass can be manipulated in the manufacturing process by changing the mixture of zinc and copper – more zinc makes it redder, less zinc makes it golden.
• It is believed to have been one of the earliest alloys used by humans.
• Because it is easily formed into shapes without breaking or cracking it is ideal material not just for musical instruments, but for things like coins and sculptures, which require intricate detail work.
• While durable, brass is also very soft. It can be easily scratched if not properly cared for.

So, you can expect plenty of warmth (and, of course, humor and fun) when the Dallas Brass brings its quintet to Festival Boca in March. Founded in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass is one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. It also doesn’t “limit itself” to brass, but blends it with a full complement of drums and percussion. This lets it cover a wide repertoire, from classical to Dixieland, from swing and Broadway, to movie and patriotic music.

"A Dallas Brass concert is intended for the entire family,” Levine said. “Our ideal audience has a range in ages from 5 to 95. Our goal is to entertain and enrich by playing great music, while showing our audience how much we enjoy what we do."

The Dallas Brass also has a strong dedication to working with young musicians. They have published two books of original small ensemble music for middle school and high students, and played a major role in helping launch Harmony Bridge  —  a community outreach program for student musicians. Almost every public performance has a student component – over 300,000 students have performed with Dallas Brass over the years.

The performance at Festival Boca will be no exception. Over 100 local musicians will join the Dallas Brass on stage for a Grand Finale.

So, gird your brass neck, put down a few brass farthings, and we’ll see you and all the top brass on this year’s opening night concert, Friday, February 28!