Harmonium Brass was founded in the fall of 2009 when the founding members realized that north-central Missouri needed a quality per-service ensemble to support private and community funtions. The founding members came from Moberly, Macon and Columbia Missouri, and settled on Moberly as a central point in which to rehearse and join the community. It didn’t take long for interesting things to happen. By Christmas 2009, Harmonium Brass had played a number of performances in the area and it became clear that the quintet had filled a vital need. More performances are on the schedule as the ensemble continues to look for performing opportunities.

     While the group is new, the musicians are not. With well over 125 collective years of active brass playing and educating experience, Harmonium Brass brings a wealth of musicianship and entertainment skills to the performance. Harmonium Brass engages the audience with wit and wisdom while delivering an exceptional musical product of dozens of styles. From Bach to the Beatles, Harmonium Brass can fill your need for live music. Give us a call or drop an email!

     Paul was director of bands in the Moberly Public Schools for 33 years, and currently teaches band classes at Moberly’s St. Pius X School. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Truman State University, and his Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is active in a number of professional organizations including the International Trumpet Guild, Missouri Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Education, Missouri Music Educators Association, and Phi Beta Mu. Paul is active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Midwest.

     Paul is assistant conductor/principal trumpet of the Columbia Community Band, and performs with the Show-Me Brass Band. He has performed with the Jim Widner Big Band, Columbia Civic Band, University of Missouri Brass Quintet, Windjammers Limited, Ice Capades, Don Glasser Orchestra, Tony Barron Orchestra, and a number of other ensembles, including recording with the Windjammers and television commercials.

     Paul has appeared as guest soloist with bands in Missouri and Iowa. Paul studied trumpet with Edward Bostley {Truman State University}, Dr. Alexander Pickard (University of Missouri), and Jeffrey Piper (University of New Mexico).

     Originally from Moberly, Chris recently held the position of Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Missouri where he performed with the Faculty Brass Quintet in addition to maintaining a private studio. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Missouri.

     Chris has performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and the award winning Fountain City Brass Band. He has also performed with artists such as Lou Rawls, Art Garfunkel, and The Fifth Dimension. Having completed his Masters degree in May 2008, he now teaches instrumental music at Columbia’s Lange Middle School. In addition to teaching, Chris remains active as a performer and private instructor.

     Brandon is active as a performer and teacher in Missouri. He has taught in Holden and Marshall, MO and is currently the K-12 music instructor for the Pilot Grove C-4 School District. Brandon received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Missouri and will receive his Master’s of Arts in Music Education from the University of Central Missouri in May.

     Brandon currently performs with the Columbia Community Band and the Show-Me Brass Band. He has also formerly been a member of the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was a featured soloist in 2006; Marshall Municipal Band; and the Warrensburg Community Band. Brandon’s primary horn instructor has been Dr. Gary Moege [University of Central Missouri].

     After 27 years of service, Larry retired as director of bands in the Macon R-1 Schools in 2001. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Music (low brass instruments) at Central Methodist University in Fayette. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Methodist University and his Master of Arts degree from Truman State University.

     Larry formerly played trombone with and served as assistant conductor of the Columbia Community Band. In addition to the Harmonium Brass, he plays with the Memories Orchestra and the Just Friends combo. Being semi-retired has given him the time to pursue these playing opportunities which he thoroughly enjoys. Professional affiliations include the Missouri Bandmasters Association, the Missouri Music Educators Association, and the bandmaster’s fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. His teachers were Kenneth Seward, Dr. Joseph LaButa, Paul Montemurro (all professors at Central Methodist University) and Dr. Roger Cody (Truman State University).

     Allen is a retired Army euphoniumist/ trombonist who concluded that he just couldn’t stop playing when it was time to hang up the uniform. Allen’s 20-year Army career took him to two locations in the U.S. and Germany, where he spent almost 15 years. Most of those European years were spent in Berlin, Germany, where he saw the Wall come down.

     Since retirement from the Army, Allen has played in a number of wind ensembles, symphony orchestras (on tenor and bass trombones), brass ensembles, jazz (big) bands, and smaller chamber groups in Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Utah, Ohio and, since 2007, central Missouri. Allen’s background is richly varied, but he found his niche in performing with British-style brass bands in several locations. As a euphonium soloist, he has recorded with the Brass Band of the Western Reserve in Akron, Ohio, and has competed in the North American Brass Band Association’s championships. Allen is delighted to delve into the tuba with Harmonium Brass and looks forward to a long relationship with the rest of the founding members. Allen has studied euphonium at the Navy School of Music; Carlton Morris of Harker Heights, Texas; and trombone with Greg Luscombe, the principal trombonist of the Memphis Symphony, among others. Allen hasn’t studied with anyone on the big horn yet, but he’s hopeful that a collision with someone is imminent.