Boston Brass (USA) is one of the world’s most renowned brass quintets. Active since 1986, the ensemble has developed a distinctive musical voice that blends vibrant classical arrangements, fiery jazz standards, and top-level original works for brass ensemble. Their uniqueness lies in virtuosic performance technique that combines classical refinement with effortless playfulness. Over the course of their career, the ensemble has performed in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 30 countries worldwide.
The quintet collaborates with symphony and wind orchestras, organists, and jazz ensembles, and continually develops new repertoire with contemporary composers. Boston Brass pursues a clear mission: to empower and support music educators worldwide, inspire young musicians, and expand the boundaries of brass music through innovative concerts, collaborations, and new works.
Music education is a central pillar of the ensemble’s activities. As performers and lecturers, the members are regularly invited to major music education conferences, including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), the American Bandmasters Association conventions, the Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state music forums. They present sessions around the globe and lead masterclasses at prestigious institutions such as the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore.
In collaboration with Yamaha Corporation, the quintet toured leading music conservatories in China in 2018. In 2021, members of Boston Brass were appointed to the International Artist Advisory Board of the College of Music at Mahidol University (Thailand). The ensemble maintains long-term partnerships, particularly with the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore and the Challey School of Music at North Dakota State University, both of which have named Boston Brass as ensemble-in-residence. After a long hiatus, the Boston Brass Summer Camp resumed in 2022 at the Challey School of Music (NDSU). In 2024, in recognition of their contribution to music education, the quintet was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association as an associate member.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and live performances were widely canceled, Boston Brass launched several significant initiatives to maintain artistic momentum and continue supporting music education. These included the Summer Winds Seminar, an online course for school and university students featuring dozens of masterclasses. They also created the interview series Happy Hour and Back to School, featuring distinguished figures from the music world. The Flex Project was introduced to provide flexible learning opportunities for students—both from home and in smaller classroom settings. Through these initiatives, Boston Brass continues to fulfill its mission of empowering educators, inspiring young musicians, and advancing the art of brass performance.
In 2026, all members of Boston Brass will teach at the masterclasses and professional development courses of the international project Trakai Fanfare Week and will perform twice at the music festival in different venues with two distinct programs.
Ensemble Members
José Sibaja (trumpet)
Jeff Conner (trumpet)
Chris Castellanos (horn)
Domingo Pagliuca (trombone)
William Russell (tuba)
Boston Brass are Yamaha Artists and perform exclusively on Yamaha instruments.