Brass Consortium’s story begins in 1980 at a church in Wheaton, IL. A group of gifted musicians formed a Brass Quintet for the purpose of freely sharing their art with the congregation.

Being warmly received, the Brass Consortium went on to Lenten Concerts, worship services (across denominational lines), park concerts, playing a fabulous processionals at a grand weddings and bringing lively holiday music to the ears of busy downtown shoppers. The musicians in the Brass Consortium represent some of Chicagoland’s finest brass players.

Traditionally, most small brass ensemble music arrangements are written for the quintet. Long cherished as the most traditional of brass chamber ensembles, the Brass Quintet is comprised of two Trumpets, Trombone, French horn and Tuba. For those on a slightly tighter budget, the Brass Consortium can also be hired as a quartet comprised of two Trumpets, Trombone and either French Horn or Tuba

Having performed together for over 20 years, the Brass Consortium is comprised of talented musicians with degrees from such distinguished schools as Northwestern University, Oberlin University, DePaul University, Wheaton College and California State University. They are committed to excellence in their performance. When not performing with the Brass Consortium, many of the members of this ensemble spend their time performing in the "pits" of Chicago’s finest theatres, as well as inspiring students of their craft at local universities.

Joy Yu Hoffman was born into a musical family. Her father, Yu Zhong Hai, was a famous musician and music educator in China. She has had a distinguished career as a pianist and harpist both in China and in the United States. She received her Diploma of Harp Performance at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music, a Bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University and a Master's degree from Northwestern University. She studied harp under Yue Ping Chieu, Elizabeth Cifani, and Edward Druzinsky. She won first prize for harp performance in the Young Artists Competition in Harbin, China, and also spent twelve seasons as an opera coach at the Harbin Opera Company.

During her sixteen years in the United States, she won a piano concerto competition and numerous scholarships both at Roosevelt and Northwestern. She has been on the faculty of Roosevelt University. She is the principal harpist of the Illinois Chamber and the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestras. Busy as a symphony musician, soloist, opera and chamber music player, she has performed in live radio and TV broadcasts and has made recordings in the Chicago area. Ms. Hoffman teaches many harp and piano students in her large private studio.

At the end of 1999, she released "Ballad", her first Kong Hou CD, with her own compositions and arrangements. As a classical and folk harpist, Joy Yu toured many states, including Hawaii, Washington, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. As a Christian music missionary. Joy has toured China, Hong Kong, Korea, Kenya, and the Republic of South Africa with His Command Performance.

Classical and Contemporary pianist, George Hansen, is able to add that special touch to your occasion with his outstanding keyboard talent. He has taught his craft at the university level, as well as to youngsters wanting to learn to play the piano. His smooth sounds will provide excellent background music for the cocktail party or heavenly sounds for the wedding ceremony. His versatility is limited only by your imagination!

George and his daughter, Dionne, are able to provide that extra touch of a flute and piano duet for your event. Dionne is the first American in over 15 years to have won the prestigious First-Prize in Flute from the Paris Conservatory of Music. As a graduate of the Julliard School of Music, Dionne has achieved stature as the second flute for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the guest flutist for the Chicago Opera Theatre, as well as playing with the New York Philharmonic and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Whether as a duet or as a solo piano presentation, you will not be disappointed with the excellence of this father and daughter musical talent.

The McKenzie Duo of Mark McKenzie, guitar, and Sue McKenzie, flute, perform with a diverse musical background including classical, popular, jazz, traditional and ethnic styles. The warm and versatile blend of flute and guitar is well suited to a range of musical styles and periods, from Beethoven to the Beatles, from Medieval dances to modern ballad.

In addition to classical guitar, Mark plays acoustic, electric, and bass guitar in jazz and rock groups. He is also a composer and arranger and continues to expand the McKenzie Duo's repetoire with new selections.

Sue holds a degree in music education and works as an elementary band director. She also maintains a private flute studio and performs as a soloist and an orchestral musician.

The three members of the Chiffonade Flute-String Trio recently came to Chicagoland as members of a six piece ensemble called Eighth Blackbird. Hailed as ambassadors of new music, eighth blackbird has a growing reputation for its astounding musical versatility as well as for its dedication to the works of today’s composers. The sextet, currently ensemble-in-residence at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, was honored in 2000 with the prestigious Naumburg Chamber Music Award and the first BMI/Boudleaux-Bryant Fund Commission.

All the members of the trio have graduated from Oberlin College Conservatory and have a multitude of experience playing together, as well as, playing solo. They have individually competed in the Oberlin Concerto Competition and won awards. They have studied with and been taught by several well- known and accomplished teachers.

Flute player Molly Alicia Barth holds a B.M. in performance from Oberlin and an A.D. in chamber music from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She is registered in an Early Childhood Education program as a Music Together teacher. She facilitates classes for children ages 0-5 and their parents.

Mark Albert holds an B.M. in Violin and a B.A. in English from Oberlin and an A.D. in chamber music also from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He recently opened a violin and viola studio at the Lake Forest Symphony Music School.

Nicholas Photinos holds a B.M. in Cello performance form Oberlin. As a soloist, he has given the world premiere of the Cello Concerto in D Minor by Grace Vamos. He is a former bassist and his interest in Jazz has led him to study with members of the Turtle Island String Quartet.

Together, the three musicians, in Chiffonade are available to bring world class talent to any wedding ceremony, reception, cocktail party or corporate event!