This December, the Austin Brass Band invites you to experience the magic of the season through the vibrant, rich sound of a British-style brass band. They’ll be performing a delightful mix of traditional holiday classics and beloved Christmas favorites, all presented with a brass band twist!

“Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson
Arr. James Wood

“The Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé
Arr. Phillip Sparke

“Medieval Christmas” by Philip Sparke

“Fantasia on Christmas Carols” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Arr. Seth Butler

“Fantasia on the Sussex Carol” by Norman Bearcroft

“Shining Star March” by Peter Graham

“Fantasia on I Saw Three Ships” by Norman Bearcroft

“Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson
Arr. Ernest Tomlinson

Whether you’re enjoying these festive tunes for the first time or revisiting old favorites, this concert promises to be a heartwarming celebration of the season. We can’t wait to see you there for a joyful evening of music and holiday magic.

Joe started brass banding with the JMU Brass Band directed by Professor Kevin Stees. The ensemble competed at the North American Brass Band Championships as well as the 2022 World Music Championships in Kerkrade, Netherlands, where Joe had his first brass band work premiered overseas, Fanfare for the 21st Century.

Joe Jaxson is enjoying the whirlwind of a burgeoning professional career that is coinciding with his academic pursuits as he begins his doctoral studies.

Joe obtained his master’s in composition at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated this past May. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition at the same institution. The young composer’s conspicuous rise includes an array of recent commissions, performances, and appearances including the “First Time Composers program | Paramount x 5 Alarm Songwriting Camp” (2024), Joy of the Soul with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra (2024), Through the Bay with the James Madison University Symphony Orchestra and a consortium of ten orchestras across the United States (2023-2024), Within the Flux (2023) for Saxophone Quartet and Percussion, and Treeflowers (2023) performed by the Sandbox Percussion Quartet.

Composer comments:

I’m thankful to the Austin Brass Band for the opportunity to create new pieces and stories for the brass band medium. When I joined the JMU Brass Band, I was enthralled by the demand of the repertoire which inherently made me a better musician. After I graduated JMU, I felt that I had to keep playing in brass band—I didn’t want to leave it. When I got to Austin, I was immediately welcomed into the Austin Brass Band family! It’s great to be playing and making music. I’m looking forward to the experiences we, as a team, can create for our audiences!

Facebook livestream recording

Audio Recordings

Saturday May 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Buy your tickets now because space is limited.

Founded in 2005, the Austin Brass Band is one of only a handful of British style brass bands in Texas—and the only one in the Austin area! Using only brass and percussion instruments, it stands apart from marching bands or wind ensembles, both of which typically include woodwinds. It also has a mellower sound than an American big band due to using cornets rather than trumpets, and tenor (sometimes called alto) horns instead of French horns.

Bring a friend and come experience this unique sound for yourself. We’d love to see you there!

Central Library Concerts bring musicians and the community together for free live performances in the heart of downtown Austin.

All ages welcome

Monday, December 11, 2023 – 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St.

Special Event Center (1st floor)