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  •     What is a brass choir?

A brass choir is an ensemble of only brass players.  That means the brass players actually get to play all the cool parts of the music.  No Limits plays primarily orchestral music arranged for brass instruments.


  •     What is NO LIMITS?

   The most exciting year-round educational honors ensembles for brass players, directed by expert brass instructor Ben Parke


No Limits 1: our elite ensemble.  Players typically have 4+ years or equivalent of playing experience, know all key signatures, have a highly polished sound, 2 1/2 octaves of range, can single/double/triple tongue, and can read and count at an advanced level. Many have gone on to study at prestigious music schools such as Northwestern, DePaul, Cincinnati Conservatory, San Francisco Conservatory, Oberlin, Indiana University, etc. 


No Limits 2: our training ensemble.  These players have on average 2+ years of playing experience ranging from grades 6-12.  Players in this group are rhythmically sound, know the majority of key signatures, but are still developing their sound, range, musicianship, and ensemble skills.


Summer session: non-auditioned group for intermediate to advanced players with 2+ years experience. Monday-Thursday evenings for one week performing Holst's First Suite for Military Band.  Dates to be determined.  Tuition $100. Vista Lutheran Church St Louis Park.


No Limits welcomes members of all backgrounds, religions, gender identities, and races and expects all members to create a welcoming and respectful musical and professional environment where we each can thrive.


  •     Why should I join?

Because brass choir is fun and we play great music while learning brass specific performance techniques.  Past music includes Beethoven Symphonies, Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, the 1812 Overture, Pines of Rome, etc.  


  •     What is the time commitment?

   Full year group:  

   No Limits 1 Sundays 5:30-7pm

   No Limits 2 Sundays 5-6:10pm

   

   Vista Lutheran Church in St Louis Park


   No Limits 1 tuition: $450

   No Limits 2 tuition: $375

      

  Scholarships available as needed.  Please indicate scholarship interest when registering. Tuition is for the full season and is non-refundable.  No Limits is a September to May commitment and players offered placement in an ensemble are expected to commit for the full season.



  •     This sounds great!  How do I join?


To register: registration form

For more information: contact


  •     Concert Schedule

Spring Concert: Sunday May 5th 6pm Vista Lutheran Church 4003 Wooddale Ave S St Louis Park, MN


Audition submission guidelines:

Please submit 1 minute each of a technical and a lyrical classical etude or solo. Submissions should be via video uploaded as unlisted to YouTube.  Please send the video link to director Ben Parke.  Each excerpt can be recorded separately, but all videos should be combined into one video for ease in audition committee viewing.  When setting up to record, test different setups to find which gives the best sound.  Should your video have distorted sound we will request that you record the material over again as we will not be able to accurately judge your sound quality and dynamics.  Auditions will be graded on tone quality, dynamics, musicianship (phrasing, expression), rhythmic accuracy, articulation, and proper style. 

Auditions are due by 10pm May 23rd, 2024.


Director Ben Parke performs No Limits 1's version of Light Cavalry Overture