About

Our Story

Capital BrassWorks was founded by trombonist Colin Traquair and organist Thomas Annand in June 1999. The success of large-scale brass concerts every year at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival inspired the group's formation. The Ottawa brass fraternity believed that the summer audiences would appreciate the chance to hear fine brass playing during the course of the year and, ever since the opening concert, the popularity of the group has grown by leaps and bounds. The musicians, some of the most respected players in Canada, are drawn from the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Guest artists from Toronto and Montreal have also participated.

The group's repertoire includes everything from Renaissance music to Contemporary pieces for brass in all styles, including settings for brass, percussion and organ. In addition to original works for brass, Capital BrassWorks performs arrangements written by group members as well as works by some of the best brass arrangers from around the world. The ensemble has also premiered original compositions and arrangements by local and Canadian musicians.

Capital BrassWorks now performs a series of concerts every year and occasionally collaborates with other groups, including, to date, three concerts with the Canadian Brass. CBW has twice been featured on the nationally televised CBC Easter Sunrise Service and in 2003 took part in the Royal Canadian College of Organists' national convention, playing a concert at the National Arts Centre that was broadcast on Radio Canada. CBW has also been featured on CBC radio and their previous two concerts in April and May of 2005, were also broadcast. The ensemble has appeared on concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and were guest artists again in a concert at the NAC in May 2005. Capital BrassWorks produced their first CD in 2000. Their second CD, on the CBC SM 5000 label, was released on April 12, 2005.

Capital Brasworks rehearsal
in McLeod-Stewarton Church, Ottawa