There’s something magical about the sound of brass instruments during the holiday season. Their bold, vibrant tones bring warmth and cheer, perfectly complementing the festive spirit. Holiday brass concerts have become a beloved tradition, celebrating the season with music that spans centuries.
Brass ensembles have long been associated with festive occasions dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque eras. The instrument’s ability to carry indoor and outdoor sound led to its use in royal courts, churches, and town celebrations. Trumpets and horns were frequently played in processions, religious ceremonies, and festive gatherings. Over time, this tradition evolved into grand holiday performances, now held in concert halls, cathedrals, and outdoor venues worldwide.
The use of brass instruments in holiday music grew particularly popular during the Baroque period with composers Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, who incorporated brass into their large-scale compositions such as Messiah. The brilliant sound of brass conveyed the significance of religious occasions while appending the joyful nature of the season. By the nineteenth century in Europe and North America, brass bands were often performed during Christmas festivities in public squares, church services, and holiday parades. Today, brass is nearly synonymous with the festive season, continuing to capture the celebratory spirit of the holidays.
A brass ensemble typically includes trumpets, trombones, horns, tubas, and euphoniums. Holiday brass concert programs often feature classics such as Joy to the World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night, along with arrangements of Sleigh Ride and selections from Handel’s Messiah. Some ensembles include renditions of works by Gabrieli, a Renaissance composer renowned for his antiphonal brass music.
The Des Moines Symphony will perform its first-ever Holiday Brass Concert at 7:30 PM Saturday, December 21 and 4:00 PM Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Join us for this family-friendly holiday celebration!
