Brass quintet

Essentially Brass

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About Essentially Brass

A versatile and modern professional brass ensemble, regularly performing high quality chamber, easy listening & pop music throughout the UK.
Brass quintet
Nottingham
Public liability insurance of £5 million

Essentially Brass has been an established Nottinghamshire-based Brass Ensemble for more than 25 years. Its origins stem from a deep love of performance coupled with a thorough background steeped in the classic Brass Quintet repertoire. Though primarily a 6-piece ensemble, Essentially Brass can adapt quite quickly into a larger ensemble through its extensive network of players associated with EB, or reduce to a smaller ensemble for events where a roaming band is required, for example. Essentially Brass is truly an ensemble for all occasions. We have performed both locally and nationally at many prestigious events, from accompanying choral societies in major brass & choir compositions, to background music for corporate events. Essentially Brass also perform as a concert ensemble, being one of the popular fringe groups for the Southwell Music Festival, noted for its light-hearted programming and delivery. Private events are also in the groups’ diary, playing at weddings and private gatherings as well as corporate events. Essentially Brass is primarily a brass quintet whose core team are all vastly experienced Brass Instrumentalists performing all genres, from Orchestral, Big Band, Motown, R&B, Brass Banding, etc… but Essentially Brass has a slight variation to the classic brass quintet formation as we incorporate an additional full-time percussionist in our lineup, which allows the ensemble to be more flexible and adventurous in our musical planning. In addition to playing standard brass repertoire, we equally can provide an in-house arrangement service, so if there is a specific piece of music you would like to hear then all you have to do is ask! Thinking Rihanna to Ravel, or Beatles to Bach, Essentially Brass can truly make it happen. Brass music can be quite expansive and Essentially Brass thrives on its ability to be flexible by augmenting the core ensemble with our expanding team of associate musicians. These players are all hand picked to ensure the quality of Essentially Brass never falls short of perfection. Recent events have seen us expand the ensemble to 8 brass and 2 percussion to fit the needs of the event organiser. Looking for something special, quirky or different? Essentially Brass can provide a flexible and mobile musical solution... Imagine your garden party or wedding, your guests spread out enjoying the sunshine, but the music is static in one corner... well not anymore ! We take the music to the guests with our smaller roaming ensemble, moving around the venue, playing light music, popular classics and modern-day chart hits, all in the Essentially Brass style. We can provide arrangements or themes, even Oompah Brass/Oktoberfest style if you’d like that to add even greater fun to your event. Have you a special event that needs that extra touch? Do you need fanfares, a specific genre of music, background music or popular classics for your special day? Essentially Brass can provide a package just for you, whether it be a wedding, a birthday celebration, a corporate event, a prize giving or graduation ceremony. We can work with your event organisers to ensure that the day runs smoothly and creates the right atmosphere for your guests and participants. The members of Essentially Brass are well versed in this kind of music provision. Previous events we have supported include: • University of Leicester graduation ceremonies • Royal Visit to the Nottingham Theatre Royal • University of Nottingham graduation ceremonies • Numerous Private Weddings, including background and processional music) • Southwell Race Day (National Anthem for Sky Sports TV)

Essentially Brass
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5 out of 5
2 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Essentially Brass' Reviews

From Encore customers:

CM
Christian M
7 years ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely excellent!

Reply from Essentially Brass
6 months ago

Thanks Christian!

From other customers:

DH
Diane H
7 months ago, for a Concert in Church St
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

In May 2024 I was privileged to work with Essentially Brass in a concert with my choir, Mansfield Choral Society, and guest choir, Bingham Choral Society, performing Rutter's Gloria and several other pieces for choir and brass in the glorious setting of Southwell Minster. It was a very special experience and Essentially Brass added greatly to the success of the programme. They are consummate musicians, thoroughly professional, well-prepared, and sound tremendous! My experience with them ahead of the concert was also outstanding - communication was always timely and clear, nothing was too much trouble, and in fact Phil went above and beyond expectations by providing some excellent arrangements for our performance. I cannot praise them enough and very much hope to work with Essentially Brass again in the near future.

Encore badges
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Essentially Brass' Song list

EASY LISTENING & POP MUSIC
9 to 5
Alexander's Ragtime Band
And All That Jazz
As Time Goes By
Autumn Leaves
Bad Guy
Bad Romance
Beggin’
Bill Bailey
Bohemian Rhapsody
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Call Me
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You
Crazy
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Despacito
Don’t Stop Believing
Don’t Stop Me Now
Gabriel's Oboe
Glenn Miller Selection
Gonna Fly Now
Happy
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Hey Jude
How Deep Is Your Love
I Got A Woman
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
In The Mood
Just A Closer Walk
Levitating
Lovely Day
Londonderry Air
Mack The Knife
Meet The Flintstones
Mr Blue Sky
Mr Brightside
New York, New York
Oh When The Saints
Pointless
Rolling In The Deep
Shake It Off
Shotgun
Shut Up And Dance
Solitaire
Someone To Watch Over Me
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Star Wars
Stardust
Strike Up The Band
Sweet Caroline
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
The Easy Winners
The Entertainer
The Roarin’ Twenties
Ticket To Ride
Umbrella
When I'm 64
You Make Me Feel So Young
You Raise Me Up
CEREMONIAL & STANDARD BRASS QUINTET MUSIC
Gaudate Christus Natus Est
Jerusalem
Kraken
La Réjouissance
Ode To Joy
Queen of Sheba
Renaissance Dances Suite
Rondeau
Te Deum Prelude
The Earle of Oxford's March
Trumpet Tune
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
A Calypso Christmas
A Carol Fantasy
Boston
Christmas Cantata
Christmas Oratorio
Coventry Carol
Frosty The Snowman
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
In The Bleak Midwinter
Jingle Bells
Judea
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Christmas Song
The Holly & The Ivy
The Many Sounds of Christmas
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
White Christmas

Essentially Brass' Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1125
Up to 2 hours£1200
Up to 3 hours£1312.50

Add-ons

Musical Arrangement Services
+£37.50
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Essentially Brass is adept at playing music appropriate for any occasion, whether that be serious repertoire or more accessible pop/modern music. Essentially Brass' strength is its versatility and flexibility, both of which are core to our performances.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Nottingham University (degree ceremonies) Leicester University (degree ceremonies) Weleda Gardens (corporate event) St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham (BBC Radio Carol Service) St Nic's Church, Nottingham (BBC Radio Carol Service) Newmarket Racecourse (Ladies Day) Epsom Racecourse (Family Race Weekend) Southwell Racecourse (King's Coronation Royal Raceday)

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Performing the National Anthem on live TV for Sky Sports at Southwell Racecourse. Recording the BBC Radio Carol Service for Nottingham.

Do you have different line-up options?

Our standard line-up is a 6-piece ensemble (5 brass and 1 drummer). We also offer a smaller 4 or 5-piece ensemble for events where a roaming band is required. We can also augment the group to an 8 or 10-piece ensemble for concerts, etc...

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

We always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let us know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely! We have access to a PA system and can provide background music via an iPod either before, after or in-between our live sets of music.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually require approx. 45mins to get the equipment/instruments loaded into the venue and setup in time for the performance.

Can you roam around while you perform?

Yes! Some previous events have required the ensemble to perform static (music on iPads) in one specific location, while other events have required a roaming band, moving around amongst the guests, or at various different locations..

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

Our set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests have an amazing time. However, we're definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a piece of music isn't included in our library list there may still be a chance we can play it! If there is a special piece of music you'd like us to play we are happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account writing the music for the ensemble, rehearsal time, etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Easy listening, Christmas, Traditional church music, Military, Baroque, Classical, Fanfare, Early music, Film / TV music, Medieval music, Musical theatre, Renaissance, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, Blues, Jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Gospel, Light music, Pop, Covers
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Event types:
Corporate event, Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types