Can you believe that December is upon us? If you share my disbelief, you may need some good old-fashioned Christmas music to get yourself ready for the holidays. The Celebrity Concert Series is ready to provide the perfect duo of seasonal concerts for you and your family. On Dec. 6, Canadian Brass will perform a show titled “Christmas Time Is Here,” which will span Bach to the Grinch, followed by Ryan Shupe’s holiday extravaganza on Dec. 17 on the Cox Performing Arts Center stage.
With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earned the distinction of the world’s most famous brass group. Masters of concert presentations, Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences. Each of their concerts will show the full range from trademark Baroque and Dixieland tunes, not to mention holiday tunes, to new compositions and arrangements created especially for them from formal classical presentation to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. The hallmark of any Canadian Brass performance is entertainment, spontaneity, virtuosity and most of all fun, but never at the expense of the music. Whatever the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication, skill, and excellence.
With a discography of over 130 albums and an extensive worldwide touring schedule, Canadian Brass is an important pioneer in bringing brass music to mass audiences everywhere. They have sold well over 2 million albums worldwide with 1.2 million sold since 1991. They continue to score Billboard chart positions, like with their rousing recording of patriotic songs and marches, “Stars & Stripes: Canadian Brass Salute America,” which spent eight weeks in the Top 25 on the Billboard Classical Chart, peaking at No. 2! Touring legends with an enthusiastic fan base, the Canadian Brass play to packed houses everywhere throughout the USA, Canada, Japan, and Europe. They have also toured Australia, the Middle East, the Soviet Union, and South America. They were the first brass ensemble from the West to perform in the People’s Republic of China as well as the first brass group to take the main stage at the venerable Carnegie Hall. On numerous occasions, Canadian Brass has been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of states, becoming one of Canada’s greatest resources and musical ambassadors.
Next up, Ryan Shupe and his band follow up on the success of last year’s holiday show at Dixie State University. Combining his signature humor and virtuosic instrumental skills, Ryan is sure to entertain from young to old.
Shupe will not only perform their infectious holiday classics (“Egg Nog,” “Rudolph,” etc.) but also tunes from his new release, “We Rode On.” The new album marks a striking career transition and a meaningful evolution in Shupe’s songwriting, his life and the band’s sound. It strongly and deftly combines the rock side of their musical arsenal with the acoustic instruments and virtuosic jamming the band has become known for in their live shows.
Like a mad musical scientist (and father and husband), Ryan Shupe recorded, arranged, and tweaked the band’s newest creation in his personal studio. “I wanted to create a new sound and an evolution for the band’s music” said Shupe, “It’s the best album we’ve done and definitely the most rocking!”
The album focuses on themes like family, love, and maturity. The epic title track, “We Rode On,” triumphantly belts out the phrase, “singing songs at the top of our lungs,” while the anthemic “Sun Will Shine Again” is a mantra to Shupe’s children. The catchy, rocking “If I Stay” and “Just Say Yes” deal with love interest dilemmas. “Dream Big,” a revamped version of their Billboard-charting Capitol Records release, is triumphant, inspirational, and powerful.
Being a fifth-generation fiddler and an accomplished guitarist and mandolin player, Shupe has been touring extensively across the U.S. since he was 10 years old. He is no stranger to the national stage, and the band has appeared on Good Morning America, E! TV, Mountain Stage, Woodsongs, Great American Country, and Country Music Television.
They continue to tour regularly with stops at festivals, concert series, special events, and prestigious venues. Bringing a national team together with radio, marketing, social media, and publicity, the band will continue touring nationally through 2016 to promote the album, starting with the regions where they have a strong following.
Tickets are available by visiting the DSU Box office, by calling (435) 652-7800, or online at dsutix.com. Join us as we bring the world to our stage!
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