Features

Yamaha Music

Seraph Brass and the Next Generation of Female Wind Players

Interview with Yamaha Trumpet Artist Mary Elizabeth Bowden on founding the all-women group

Bowden’s defining contribution to the music world, however, might be Seraph Brass — the all-female quintet she founded in 2014. Besides showcasing the upper echelon of female brass players on the scene today, Seraph Brass is known for commissioning new works from composers representing underrepresented groups, including women. A Yamaha Performing Group, the ensemble released its first album, Asteria, in 2018. With the group now in its ninth season, Bowden talked with us about the unique background that launched her career, the inspiration behind Seraph Brass, and her advice for women making their way in music.

Brass Band World

Seraphs of the Brass Landscape

Seraph Brass is in high demand throughout the World. Founded with the mission of elevating and showcasing the excellence of female brass players, as well as to highlight musicians from marginalised groups, as we approach global International Women's Day on 8 March, David Childs caught up with the celestial musicians of the ensemble to discover more about its rise to the top.

Delmarva Public Media

Award-Winning Female Chamber Group Seraph Brass Visits Eastern Shore

Like many other fields of music, brass chamber groups are dominated by men. Seraph Brass founder Mary Elizabeth Bowden learned this when she was growing up in Chicago. She fell in love with groups like Empire Brass and Canadian Brass, but she took notice that there were only male musicians in these ensembles.

The Diamondback

Seraph Brass illuminated D.C. with impressive musicality

The Diamondback

The Diamondback

The quintet effortlessly navigated through harmonic structures together, as one homogenous sound, never sounding like five musicians, but one group.

The Diamondback

The Diamondback

The audience was floored by their impeccable talent, and their presence on stage was inviting, truly worth returning to… It was a performance eyes and ears simply couldn’t get enough of.

South Carolina Public Radio

Seraph Brass brings colorful, chimeric sound to Florence

Columbia Basin Herald

Brass quintet performs in Moses Lake Thursday

The Daily Independent

Seraph Brass performs 1 May 2022 in Ridgecrest.

Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita’s Division of Music to host Seraph Brass in concert Sept. 20

The Chautauquan Daily

Seraph Brass to share classical, modern music

KnoxTN Today

As an ensemble, Seraph Brass delivers music both bright and warm, consistently playing with satisfying tone qualities that, when delivered at their skill levels, make brass music endearing.

McPherson Sentinel

The musical resumes of the members of Seraph Brass were highly impressive and their performing skills reflected as much. As someone who appreciates diversity of musical styles, an evening with Seraph Brass left me feeling richer, both intellectually and emotionally.

Gramophone Magazine

Fine playing.

President of the Gallup Concert Association

Seraph Brass is the next Boston or Canadian Brass.

American Record Guide

This is a very fine brass quintet that makes beautiful sounds.

Textura Magazine

The high caliber of the playing is often staggering (see the high-energy roller-coaster of a ride that is Dilorenzo's three-and-a-half-minute Go), and the recording also benefits from democratic representation. The trumpeters naturally form a front-line, but Asteria is a recording where trombone, horn, and tuba are as prominently featured; certainly no small amount of credit for that must go to those responsible for the seven pieces' arrangements. One comes away from the release marveling at the performances and the rich, soaring sound generated by the five musicians.

Pratt Tribune

High notes, low notes, fast notes, slow notes: Seraph Brass can play them all and with remarkable skill.