Biltmore Brass Quintet at Calvary

Join us on Sunday, June 4 at 4:00 for a benefit concert by the Biltmore Brass Quintet and their special guest, xylophonist Mario Gaetano. The performance will be held on Calvary’s lawn and the suggested $10 donation benefits the Calvary music program. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy this delightful season with us!

Biltmore Brass Quintet - formed in 1983, the quintet is now celebrating its 40 th year. We have played for many occasions over the years including: UNCA graduations, Maclamore Resort in Chattanooga, Bele Chere, First Night Asheville, the Biltmore House, Grove Park Inn, Pisgah Academy, Givens Estate, Deerfield and Ardenwoods, many weddings, many church services and special occasions, and many concerts – many for benefits such as ABCCM, Habitat for Humanity, St Mathais benefit concert series, Asheville music Works, various food banks, etc.

Casey Coppenbarger - Casey is a professional musician and plays in many groups. He is principal trumpet with the Blue Ridge Orchestra and the Blue Ridge Symphonic Brass. He teaches trumpet, and free lances in many musical opportunities around the Asheville Area. He’s and educator, arranger, and father of two boys both trumpet players. He is the director of the Smoky Mt Brass Band.

Rienette L. Davis - A native of Chesterfield, SC, Linda Rienette Davis received her B.S. Degree in Music Education from UNC-Pembroke. Her first professional job was the trombonist of the Italian Band at Busch Gardens Theme Park in Williamsburg, VA. She has performed with several artists such as Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles, Allen Vizzutti, Ed Shaughnessy, Katie Lee Gifford, and several others. Rienette is the recipient of many awards such as The John Philip Sousa Award, Outstanding Musician at Richmond Senior H.S. and UNCP, Outstanding Bass Trombonist Soloist at the UNC-CHAPEL Hill Jazz Festival, and Trombone Soloist with the National Community Band. She currently holds positions on tenor and bass trombone with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic, and the Brevard Philharmonic

William Ross – William retired from teaching mathematics 30 yrs at Asheville High but still teaches as a math tutor. He is the principal cornetist in the Smoky Mt Brass Band and also plays in the Blue Ridge Symphonic Brass and the Land of Sky Symphonic Band. He also plays regularly at Groce UMC, Calvary Episcopal Church and other various churches and events. He is the founder of the Biltmore Brass which is now in its 40th year.

Kermit Solesby- Kermit plays tuba/electric bass with many area groups including the Smoky Mt Brass band, Land of Sky Symphonic Band, and many other groups. He served in the US Marines and played in the Marine Band. He works at UNCA.

Hobart Whitman - Hobart plays French Horn regularly at many churches. He has played with just about every orchestra in the area including the Asheville Symphony, Blue Ridge Orchestra, etc. Hobart plays in many chamber groups around too.. He is well known in the Asheville area as the go to French horn player. He is a retired electrical engineer.

Contact info for the Biltmore Brass: William Ross 828 271-7992 wrossmath@charter.net

Special Guest Mario Gaetano retired from Western Carolina University in 2017 after serving 38 years as Professor of Music. He recently concluded his 40th season as Principal Percussionist of the Asheville Symphony. He holds degrees and performers certificates from the Crane School of Music (BM), East Carolina University (MM), and the University of Memphis (DMA). His scholarship (nearly 50 published compositions performed in 17 countries, over 40 journal articles, method books, recordings, and hundreds of clinics and solo performances) has earned national distinction. Dr. Gaetano is the recipient of 18 ASCAP Awards, WCU Scholar Award, WCU Creative Research Award, James Dooley Excellence in Music Teaching Award, ECU Young Artist Award, Crane Academic Merit Award, Crane Performers Certificate, two Hinda Honigman Composer Awards, SUNY Centennial Award, and was a finalist for the WCU Paul Reid Service Award. In 2011 he returned to his alma mater, the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York to perform as a Distinguished Alumnus. He and his wife Lisa reside in Cullowhee and spend much of their time performing with various community bands and orchestras, and traveling the world.