When trumpet professor Chris Volpe took over for Steve Lund as the Brass choir director nearly 12 years ago, he brought a lot of talent, a lot of knowledge and a huge sense of community. The St. Thomas brass choir consists of 15 members who share one love: brass instruments.
“Chris is the coolest guy. He knows how to talk to each individual as well as in a group setting,” said sophomore Nick Zarn. “He helps us all with our musicianship and stays connected and supportive of his students.”
For some students, including junior Hannah Downs, this is their only opportunity to perform. Downs is a marketing major at St. Thomas but still takes time out of her week for the brass choir, and the other 14 members of the brass choir family.
“It’s really fun because you get to know everyone, and we’ve all become such good friends,” Downs said. “It’s like a sports team, I guess — there’s a lot of bonding, and you can hear all of the instruments equally so it’s a good experience.”
The group has performed at the Orchestra Hall, the Church of St. Agnes in St. Paul and the Anderson Student Center. The band is made up of all brass instruments including trumpets, trombones, French horns, tubas and euphoniums. For Volpe, who plays in the Minnesota Opera as a trumpet player, this is a way for him to escape his busy and tense work environment.
“I do about 150 concerts per year,” Volpe said. “I need that antidote to get away from the stage thing and work with the students.”
Volpe’s favorite thing about the brass choir is the people. Although the group performed on three different occasions throughout the semester, for Volpe nothing compares to the family that they have created.
“The performing part is great, but I think the most important thing for me is the community aspect of it,” Volpe said. “My entire brass choir goes out to dinner together, even though they are from different aspects of campus and they don’t socialize outside of class. Every Wednesday we finish around six, they head over to the Binz and get sandwiches.”
The tradition of eating together after every Wednesday meeting is not one the choir takes lightly. As a way to become closer and form their family bond, Volpe believes it is a staple of the brass choir.
“Every time a new student does register, they are kind of assimilated into the group and before they know it they are having dinner at the Binz on Wednesday too,” Volpe said.
Volpe’s sense of community is not lost on his students. Students like Zarn really enjoy the diversity of the group, and the talent involved.
“We always perform great music and everyone is so talented,” Zarn said. “It’s awesome to be a part of such a great sounding group that also has a lot of fun.”
Volpe encourages anyone who is interested to join the choir and become a part of the brass choir family.
“I welcome anybody, you don’t have to audition,” Volpe said. “If you want to make good music, register for the class and you’re in!”
Peter Monahan can be reached at mona7035@stthomas.edu.