By Zoe Levin

Mercer Island High School

The musical quintet known as Boston Brass held a workshop and performance at Mercer Island High School for students in the band on March 1.

Four hundred students from the sixth through 12th grade piled into the school’s Performing Arts Center for the opportunity to learn from world-renowned musicians.

Band director Parker Bixby helped organize the event in collaboration with Boston Brass and Newport High School band director Todd Mahaffey.

“The fact that we have the opportunity to do this is incredible … Those guys represent five people at the top of their game,” Bixby said.

Boston Brass is a five-member ensemble, including a French horn, a tuba, two trumpets and a trombone. The group travels across the globe, playing and holding workshops at universities and concert halls. However, the quintet rarely performs for middle or high school students.

“We love talking to students, and we don’t have much time to talk to younger students. It’s nice to shed light on what it’s like to be a professional musician,” said Boston Brass French horn player Chris Castellanos.

The five musicians took turns playing their instruments, and the audience sat in rapt attention while the quintet members taught students specific techniques for playing brass instruments. The ensemble performed some fan favorites, such as “The Flight of the Green Hornet.” After a brief Q&A session, Boston Brass trumpet player Jose Sibaja concluded by doing tricks on his instrument.

“They make it sound easy and look easy,” said sixth grade French horn player Teresa Hernandez.

The private concert ended with a standing ovation.

After the performance, Bixby took advantage of the opportunity to motivate his students to follow their musical aspirations.

“No one, including the five people on stage, has more potential than you do.”

Zoe Levin is a staff writer for The Islander at MIHS.