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St. Louis Academy Brass Band
St. Louis, MO
About
Founded in 2015, the St. Louis Academy Brass Band has performed in concert with the St. Louis Brass Band and at the Gateway Brass Band Championships. This is their first appearance at the NABBA Championships. The band is comprised of musicians from both Illinois and Missouri.
Musical Director
Bradley Eston
Bradley Eston is the Director of the STLABB and Co-Director of the STLYBB. He currently serves as an Assistant Band Director and Percussion Coordinator for the O’Fallon District 90 Junior High Schools. Prior to his recent appointment as Director, Bradley co-directed the STLABB and performed with the ensemble as a euphonium player. Bradley earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from McKendree University in May 2024. While at McKendree, he conducted the Concert Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and various chamber ensembles in multiple performances. He also had the opportunity to work with and direct the McKendree University Honors High School Brass Ensemble. Bradley was recognized as a 2023–2024 Lincoln Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the 2024 MLK Humanitarian Award. From 2021 to 2024, Bradley served as Brass Technician for the Collinsville High School Band and as Low Brass Technician for the Mascoutah High School Marching Band in 2024. He has assisted, observed, and taught in numerous Metro East Illinois school programs. In addition, Bradley is Co-Director of the Alton Municipal Band and performs with the Highland Municipal Band.
Choice Program
Dark Side of the Moon
Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Program Notes
The composer writes: 'Have you ever thought of a holiday destination, tourist attraction, event, place, site or period in history and thought “I wonder what it would be like?' - somewhere you have never been and can only let your imagination run wild on. What would the place be like, and all the things surrounding it such as the mood, feelings you get experiencing it, the temperature? Who would be there and what you would see? This piece is my musical imagination of the Dark Side of the Moon. I know from news reports, the internet and other footage that the moon is a very desolate place, very barren and rugged. So from the start the piece gives the listener a musical picture of the rugged landscape with little light and warmth. However, the one place that has had me thinking about is the side of the moon that we don’t see in our night skies, the side of the moon with no sun and with no light pollution from civilisation. I can only imagine the eeriness one would feel being stood in complete darkness on the moon’s surface looking around. As you slowly explore the surroundings and your eyes drift up to the night sky, there is an awesome sight unfolding in front of you - countless stars and galaxies, planets and different solar systems and all right in front of you glistening from the light of the sun beaming from the other side of the moon. The Dark Side of the Moon portrays a musical picture of the whole experience as seen in my imagination taking the listener from the rugged landscape to the awesome beauty that sits endlessly in front of you.'