Dallas Brass Share Their Skills With North Students

The Dallas Brass wowed everyone with its musical skill and talent on Saturday, and five eighth-graders got to see it up close.

The Menomonee Falls Brass Quintet, which the Dallas Brass renamed the Amazing Brass Quintet, played “Lazy Day” on stage in front of many of their band peers.

After an encouraging critique, the teens played the tune again, this time with professional musicians joining in.

 “Amazing,” said Andrew Burzinski.

“Best opportunity yet,” said Anthony, Andrew’s twin.

“Best it’s sounded,” said Connor Schmidt.

The quintet includes Andrew and Anthony on trumpet, Schmidt on French horn, Jim Eisenhauer on trombone and Matt Mylos on tuba. It plays at concerts, eighth-grade graduation, solo/ensemble competition and for the superintendent, and it sometimes adds some class to lunch with background music in the cafeteria. It covers classic, jazz and movie themes.

The group practices two to three times per week in school and sometimes outside of class. It is about three years old.

Though they admitted they were nervous, the five were honored to receive advice from the 29-year-old, internationally known Dallas Brass.

“It was a tremendous experience,” said Mylos.

Plenty of exposure

Even though he’s only a teen, trombone player Danny Schwalbach has played in front of plenty of audiences, including a Julliard professor, and has received a plethora of advice.

Nothing, however, like what he did Saturday.

Schwalbach “volunteered” to come on stage alone and be tested by the Dallas Brass during a clinic at North Middle School, facing his high school and middle school peers.

“A friend of mine raised my hand for me,” he said.

Schwalbach, an aspiring concert trombonist already with a host of awards and accolades, was asked to play by ear in front of everyone with no backup. First, the Dallas Brass requested “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

Schwalbach played almost perfectly. Then he had to switch keys. Same thing. The Dallas Brass wished he would have missed more notes.

He did hit a few sour chords during “Happy Birthday,” but he figured them out quickly and fixed them.

“I was nervous but it was a great time,” Schwalbach said. “They’re great. Obviously, they know what they’re talking about. They know how to improve and they know how to make others improve.”

Schwalbach paused while pondering whether or not he would have volunteered himself to go on stage.

“No,” he chuckled. “No, I wouldn’t have.”

But he’s thankful his friend did it for him.

“Yes,” he said with a laugh. “Very glad.”

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