From the Bulldog Brass Society to the mighty Redcoat Band, UGA is a haven for brass players. Septura is a seven-member brass ensemble including some of London’s top orchestral principals. The group makes its UGA Presents debut Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Hodgson Concert Hall.

“The standard is absolutely higher than brass playing has ever been before,” renowned trumpet virtuoso Alison Balsom said of Septura on BBC Radio 2. “This is brass playing at its most exalted,” declared Fanfare magazine.

Septura’s program for Athens, The Special Relationship, features rich, rapturous music by British and American composers, including preludes by George Gershwin and Aaron Copland’s beloved Appalachian Spring Suite. The British first half concludes with an energetic new piece, Time Out of Joint — Sketches from Hamlet, by Pete Walton.

“The Twentieth Century saw the development of a deep political partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States,” the group says. “But whilst our nations share much common ground — not least an affinity for brass instruments — they also each possess very different cultural backgrounds, played out in their unique musical styles.

“Septura explore this contrast through the works of four early twentieth-century composers who defined Britain and America in music: Finzi, Elgar, Copland and Gershwin, all brought to life through transcriptions for brass septet.”

Septura’s performance of the Appalachian Spring music is especially auspicious, because the Martha Graham Dance Company will perform the full ballet at UGA’s Fine Arts Theatre Feb. 2 and 3, 2023 with a chamber orchestra conducted by UGA Associate Director of Bands Jaclyn Hartenberger.

Wind chamber music features prominently in the UGA Presents season. The Imani Winds, a multicultural wind quintet, appears on Valentine’s Day at Ramsey Hall. And the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings Brahms trios featuring the clarinet and French horn to Hodgson Concert Hall April 23.

For a complete list of UGA Presents performances, click here.

Three Ways to Order Tickets

1. Purchase tickets online 24/7 online here.
2. Call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
3. Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5 minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)