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Rodney Mack
The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass
Francis Johnson Residency
Presenter Resources
Outer Banks Trumpet Intensive
www.rodneymack.com
“"...He
wowed the audience with the demanding virtuoso
'Variations on Carnival of Venice'..."
— Uptown Magazine
“Fearless!”
— Fanfare Magazine
The sound of Rodney Mack’s
trumpet has reverberated throughout the world. Whether playing baroque piccolo
trumpet or interpreting works commissioned especially for him, his artistry
has been enthusiastically enjoyed in the United States, France, Spain, Germany,
England, Greece, Rumania, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. He has been praised by music
critics from Fanfare Magazine, American Record Guide, Records International
Catalog, and other international publications for his evocative interpretation,
impeccable virtuosity, and beauty of sound.
A graduate of the Curtis Institute
of Music, Rodney Mack has worked under the guidance of world-renowned conductors
such as Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz, James DePreist,
and John Williams. He was awarded a fellowship at the Tanglewood Music Center
where he was invited to return for a second summer during which he was awarded
the Seiji Ozawa Award for Outstanding Musicianship.
Click here for a list of past appearances.
"With precision, excitement and charisma - these words best describe the audience engaging performance by The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass. Our stage was filled with energized, talented musicians who performed a variety of works from the Baroque to Jazz eras. The audience was on their feet before the last cut-off of the baton. This is a show that should not be missed."
- Doris Hall-Gulati, Franklin Marshall College
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Mr. Mack was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he began taking classical trumpet lessons with his cousin Wynton Marsalis at age eleven. Rodney Mack’s solo debut was at the age of fifteen with the New Orleans Symphony. After having won various solo competitions, he received national attention at the age of nineteen performing as soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra. He has also performed as soloist with the San Diego Symphony, the Tenerife Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and many orchestras throughout the United States and Europe.
More about Rodney
The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass
The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass is a
collection of Philadelphia's top brass and percussion players who regularly
perform with the area's most prestigious musical organizations including The
Philadelphia Orchestras, The Delaware Symphony, The Opera Company of Philadelphia,
and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Performing a variety of musical
styles from Renaissance to Jazz, the members of The Philadelphia Big Brass
are widely sought out for the majestic sounds and sparkling, virtuoso performances
they bring to each and every concert. The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass
is a diverse ensemble of musicians dedicated to bringing the joyous experience
of listening to sparkling brass and percussion playing to a wide range of
audiences.
"Thank
you for the exciting Student Matinee at the Kimmel Center. The
students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the musical diversity - from the
Renaissance to New Orleans jazz.
Again, thank you and we look forward to a
return visit in Verizon Hall!"~ Velma R. Simmons, Director of Education, Kimmel Center
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Repertoire Highlights
Music for the Royal Fireworks G.F. Handel
Canzona per Sonare No.2 Giovanni Gabrielli
The Earl of Oxford's March William Byrd
Sonata in D for Trumpet Henry Purcell
Six Dances from the "The Danserye" Tylman Susato
Nimrod from "Enigma Variations" Edward Elgar
La Virgin de la Macerena Raphael Mendez
Porgy and Bess George Gershwin
THE RODNEY MACK PHILADELPHIA BIG BRASS
HOLIDAY CONCERT
The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass offers a special concert celebrating the joy of the season with traditional holiday favorites ranging in style from elegant classical to rocking funk, to swinging jazz! This concert will thrill and delight audiences of all ages as we come together in the spirit of our shared humanity.
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The Legacy of Francis Johnson
Residency
and Concert Program
The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass
MS
Word flyer
Sample concert program
Francis Johnson (1792-1844) was a Philadelphia-born African-American composer and bandleader who performed locally and internationally in the early 1800's, even travelling to England to perform for Queen Victoria. He was a virtuoso keyed bugle player whose band performed a mixture of classical and folk music, including groundbreaking performances with an integrated group of musicians. The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass is offering a special residency and concert program in which the music and historical importance of Francis Johnson is highlighted. Special guest artists are also available, including Branford Marsalis and Time for Three.
Partial Repertoire List
The arrangements of Francis Johnson's music used in the concert program were created using piano scores located in the Philadelphia Free Library. An excellent study guide for program and student/teacher reference is available.Music of Francis Johnson (Sleigh Waltzes, Victoria Gallop, Trump of Fame, The Grave of the Slave, Victoria Gallop, Citizen's Quadrille)
Fanfare from "Rocky" ...... Conti
The Barber of Seville ...... Rossini
Carnival of Venice ......... Jean Baptiste Arban
Brass Cats Suite ........... Chris Hazell
A Closer Walk................ Traditional
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More about Rodney Mack
Mr. Mack has made several world premiere recordings including Sonata for Trumpet and Piano by Adolphus Hailstork and In Our Own House by Alvin Singleton with saxophonist Branford Marsalis and concert pianist Karen Walwyn. In 1998, Rodney Mack made the premiere and critically acclaimed recording of Franz Waxman’s Carmen Fantasy for Trumpet and Orchestra with conductor Lawrence Foster on the Koch International record label. Regarding Mr. Mack's best-selling solo CD Spirit of the Trumpeter, cornet virtuoso and renowned conductor Gerard Schwarz says, "Rodney Mack is a superb trumpet player and musician. I have no doubt that this CD will make an important addition to the catalogue of sublime trumpet performances." Rodney can be heard as Soloist and Principal Trumpet on more than thirty different orchestral recordings with labels such as Decca, Naxos, Koch International Classics, and Albany Records.
In the course of his more than twenty years as an orchestral musician, Mr. Mack was the winner of several competitions for titled orchestral chairs including positions with The New Orleans Symphony, The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, The San Diego Symphony Orchestra, The Orquestra Sinfonica de Tenerife, The Barcelona Symphony, and The Richmond Symphony. He has recently been invited to give master classes at the Julliard School,The North Carolina School for the Arts, the National Trumpet Competition and the International Trumpet Guild Conference. His year is split between his duties as Principal Trumpet with Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and various master classes and solo engagements in the United States and abroad.
Presenter Resources - Rodney Mack
Photos - All of the photos on this page are available in high-resolution. Click the image to download.
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Bios - Available in Microsoft Word:
Rodney Mack (5.5 mb)
Members of the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass (2.2 mb)Program Information - Francis Johnson Residency (msword)
Click here to read more about this concerto collaboration
