River Brass was established in 1991 as a community band. Over the years, the band has developed into a high-caliber competing band. The group took its original name from the ox bow bend of the Ohio River that separates the cities of Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. As the band gained more members from across the tri-state region, the geographical footprint was well beyond the original "bend in the river", so the name was changed in the fall of 2015 to "River Brass" to include members who live near both the Ohio River and Wabash River. The band currently rehearses at Castle South Middle School in Newburgh, IN. Its current conductor is Dr. Pat Stuckemeyer. River Brass follows the tradition of British brass bands in instrumentation and literature. River Brass is currently the only band of its type in the Southern Indiana/Western Kentucky region. Its members are non-professional post-high school players from southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeastern Illinois. Members range in age from the late teens to the eighties. This diverse group is brought together by their common interest in making and sharing high quality brass music. River Brass's concert season typically consists of four concerts: a spring concert, a summer concert, a fall classics concert, and a holiday concert. Concert sites vary depending on availability of venues.
2019: Tied 8th place in Section Section 2019: 1st place in Adult Brass Ensemble - "River Brass Six", featuring David Jarrett, Joe Stone, Alex Schnautz, Joshua Britton, Joel Collier, and Pat Stuckemeyer 2019: 1st place Adult Trombone Technical Solo - Joshua Britton 2018: 6th place in Second Section 2017: 4th place in Second Section 2016: 3rd place in Second Section
Results under the former name "Bend in the River Brass Band":
2015: 5th place in Second Section 2015: 3rd place Adult High Brass Slow Melody Solo - Alex Schnautz 2014: 3rd place in Second Section 2014: 3rd place Youth Percussion Solo - Madison Dora 2013: 2nd place in Third Section 2013: 2nd place Youth Percussion Solo - Madison Dora 2012: 1st place in Third Section 2012: 1st place Youth Percussion - Madison Dora 2011: 2nd place in Third Section 2009: 3rd place in Challenge Section 2008: 2nd place in Explorer Section 2007: 2nd place in Explorer Section
Youth Band
The River Brass Youth Band was formed in January of 2019 with its premiere concert on February 21, 2019 at Harrison High School. It is open to students in grades 8-12 around the Tristate region. For the pilot season, the program ran for 7 weeks of the spring semester. Future seasons are being developed, including the formation of a second youth band to allow for a wider range of age and talent in the program.
