Loading...
Cherry Blossom Brass Band
Alexandria, VA
About
The Cherry Blossom Brass Band was formed in 2023 to provide meaningful, challenging artistic experiences and competition opportunities for musicians in the Washington D.C. area. With members coming from a variety of backgrounds and locations, the band's mission is threefold: 1. Bring high-quality, high-energy, and entertaining performances to audiences in the greater Washington D.C. area; 2. Provide an opportunity for musicians to learn about the British brass band tradition through direct experience, with a focus on regional and national competitions; 3. Create a sense of community, both internally for musicians and externally for its audiences, around the British brass band tradition. The band is composed of professional musicians, music educators, and community members, unified by a desire to constantly grow and seek new challenges. Taking the stage with their distinctive pink vests, the first two years of the ensemble have been punctuated by success. In competition, CBBB earned 2nd place in 2024 and 1st place in the Third Section in 2025 at the NABBA Championships. The ensemble has performed at the Northeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference and the National Cathedral, raised funds for a local school band booster program, and held concerts throughout the year at multiple locations in the Greater Washington D.C. area.
Musical Director
Andrew Wood
Andrew Wood is a performer and music educator based in Washington, DC. Originally from Northern Virginia, Andrew completed his BM in music performance at James Madison University. After a service year in D.C., he accepted a trumpet studio teaching assistantship at Louisiana State University. Following the completion of his MM in Trumpet Performance at LSU, Andrew accepted the position of Director of Bands and Orchestra at Gonzaga College High School. In addition to his work at Gonzaga, he is currently ABD for a DMA in trumpet performance at George Mason University. Andrew’s research centers around the cornet concerto repertoire, and helping trumpet players develop skill in the British brass band style. As a soloist, Andrew has appeared with the Massanutten Brass Band, LSU University Band, Cherry Blossom Brass Band, and George Mason 9th Green Machine Regiment Band. Additionally, he won first place in the 2019 NABBA Cornet Slow Melody Competition. Andrew has also performed with the JMU Brass Band, Massanutten Brass Band, and Brass of the Potomac. He is a founding member of Cherry Blossom Brass Band, and was principal cornet prior to his role as Music Director. As a chamber musician, Andrew is a co-founder of the DC based Orange Line Brass Quintet. He also performs with the George Mason 9th Green Machine Regiment Band, and has worked with the George Mason University faculty brass quintet. Additionally, Andrew is in demand as an adjudicator and presenter for organizations such as the Louisiana State University’s Stately Oaks summer band camp, the Louisiana Music Educators Association, Fairfax County Public Schools, and the DC Music Educators Association.
Choice Program
Purcell Variations
Kenneth Downie
Program Notes
Purcell Variations was composed in 1995 by Kenneth Downie for the 300th anniversary of the great English baroque composer Henry Purcell’s death. The theme is now known as the hymn Westminster Abbey, where Purcell was an organist. Downie took this material and transformed it into five stylistically different variations: I. Allegro Giocoso e Leggiero (fast, joyful, and light): a dance-like and playful section that uses chromatic runs and bouncing rhythms; II. Allegretto Grazioso (moderately fast and graceful): an elegant and wistful waltz, with solos and duets passed around the ensemble; III. Allegro con Energia (fast with energy): jazz sensibilities take over here, punctuated by modern harmonic and rhythmic scoring; IV. Allegra con Espress (cheerful with expression): a beautifully lyrical section that develops over multiple lines and and long, connected phrases; V. Allegro Molto (very fast): Urgency and strength dominate the ending, with call-backs to the prior movements and elegant harmonic transitions bringing the listener back home. Selected shortly after publishing for the 1998 UK Regionals First Section contest, the piece has become a brass band standard. The traditional, challenging elements of 'test music' frequently arise organically out of the material, with individual, section, and full ensemble challenges being musically intertwined throughout the piece. Of special note are extended solos for the principal cornet and solo tenor horn, allowing an opportunity for these musicians to shine. Downie’s score provides an opportunity for the band to showcase the entire range of expression, from lyricism and thoughtfully transparent texture to full ensemble blend and cohesion.
NABBA Results History (3)
| Section | Best Finish | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Second | 1st | 1 |
| Third | 1st | 1 |
| Event | Section | Place | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championships 2026 | Second | 1st | 95.133 | |
| NABBA Championships 2025 | Third | 1st | 85.700 | |
| NABBA Championships 2024 | Third | 2nd | 81.700 |