The community will get to see what Marywood’s Music Department is all about on Sunday, Oct. 6th at the Octuba Brass Festival.

The Octuba Brass Festival is a workshop led by Marywood Faculty member Michael Parker that will feature a repertoire of works, fundamentals, breathing exercises, a stretching workshop, instrument warm-up and a group rehearsal. The festival will also feature special guests the United States Army Band West Point Academy Brass Quintet.

After the workshop, a brief concert will be held on the main stage of the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts at 1 p.m. to showcase what attendees learned earlier in the day and programming by the West Point Academy Brass Quintet.

Parker said he believes the festival can offer insight into what music careers are out there after graduating college.

“I think that it will be interesting for any kids [in attendance] especially if [they’re] curious about what a music career in the military might be like,” said Parker.

Parker said he started the Octuba Brass Festival because he wanted people to become aware of how collegiate level bands operate in hopes it may encourage prospective students to join.

Junior Arts Administration Major Craig Beavers has attended the workshop for the last four years and said it helped influenced his decision to come to Marywood when he was a prospective student.

“Having all of that professional experience definitely made me want to come here,” said Beavers. “I’m excited to see the West Point Quintet play.”

The Octuba Brass Festival will be held in Room 104 of the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts beginning at 11 a.m.. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. Participation in the 1 p.m. workshop is not necessary.

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