Brassworks - Kevin McKee - Complete Music for Brass Quintet (2022)

The music on this album represents the complete oeuvre of music for brass quintet composed by Kevin McKee. McKee’s first work for brass quintet, Escape, was composed in 2007. Since then, it and the other compositions that have followed have been performed extensively by brass ensembles throughout the world. His musical themes are cinematic in nature, compelling for the listener, and thoroughly enjoyable for the performers.

Kevin McKee (b.1980) is an American composer and trumpeter, whose music has been performed on six continents and can be heard on more than 35 recordings. After earning two degrees in trumpet performance, one from CSU Sacramento and the other from the University of Maryland, he was inspired to try his hand at composition while spending a month working with composer and trumpeter Anthony DiLorenzo at the 2006 MMCJ summer music festival in Japan. McKee’s first piece, a brass quintet titled Escape, was declared “…destined to become a standard” by the International Trumpet Guild Journal; he has been composing ever since. He has contributed to the International Trumpet Guild Journal and is a member of ASCAP. In addition to composing, McKee is an active trumpet performer and teacher in the Washington DC area.
[ www.kevinmckeemusic.com ]

Brassworks is the faculty brass quintet in residence at Brigham Young University. They perform frequent recitals and educational concerts and have been featured often on BYU’s popular Celebration of Christmas concerts. In addition, Brassworks has made televised appearances and recordings with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Additionally, they work closely with the BYU Honors Brass Quintet, an elite student ensemble comprised of the finest brass musicians at the university. This album features a unique collaboration on Kevin McKee’s Semper Gratus, which was composed specifically for the two ensembles to perform together. Although planned beforehand, this album was recorded during the most trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.