Paul Bryan, Artistic Coordinator and Conductor
Paul Bryan is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and Temple University where he studied trombone with Glenn Dodson and Eric Carlson and conducting with David Hayes, Arthur Chodoroff, and Lawrence Wagner. He currently serves as Artistic Coordinator and Conductor of Bravo Brass – the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Brass Ensemble, Orchestra Conductor at Drexel University, Music Director of Symphony in C’s Summer Symphony Camp, conductor of the Reading Summer Music Institute, conductor of the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass, conductor of the Philadelphia All-City High School Concert Band, and a faculty member at Temple University and the Curtis Institute of Music. Paul is the Registrar and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Curtis Institute of Music.
Robert Skoniczin
An active freelance musician, Rob performs in a variety of settings and locales. He is Principal Trumpet with OperaDelaware and has performed with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Bach Choir (and Festival Orchestra) of Bethlehem (PA), New Jersey Opera Theatre, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Peter Nero and the Phillly Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra Community Outreach, Reading Symphony, Ocean City Pops, Wilmington String Ensemble, Gramercy Brass Orchestra, Sammy Kaye Orchestra, and Brian Pastor Big Band. Rob has played for numerous touring Broadway shows in Philadelphia and Wilmington. He has backed various star attractions such as Martina McBride, Anne Murray, Pete Fountain, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Hamlisch, Mannheim Steamroller, and performed for such dignitaries as Mother Teresa and former Chinese President Jiang Zemin during their visits to the United States. Rob can be heard on several recordings including Manhattan Transfer’s DVD The Christmas Concert, American Anthems with the Gramercy Brass Orchestra, and numerous spots for NFL Films. Rob is an instructor of trumpet at the University of Delaware and is a member of the National Band Association, the International Trumpet Guild, the American Federation of Musicians, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Barry McCommon, Associate Conductor
Soloist; freelance artist; studio musician; teaching artist. He began his career while still enrolled at The Curtis Institute of Music. His versatility has seen Barry share the stage with Opera greats (Luciano Pavarotti), Broadway/Cabaret stars (Bernadette Peters), Jazz heavies (Randy Brecker), R&B legends (Patti Labelle), to Pop/Rock icons (Peter Cetera) and many more, performing in Philly, Atlantic City, and New York.
Having carved out a career as an in-demand sideman, Barry is also a soloist. In recent years, he has appeared with the Ocean City Pops, Drexel University Concert Band, Liberty Brass Band, West Chester University Percussion Ensemble, and in his 6th solo appearance with Bravo Brass, performed a world premiere written (for Barry and Bravo Brass) by Jamie Wehr. The 2010-2011 season will see Barry performing solo at composer Andrea Clearfield’s “Salon” and in two performances of Eric Ewazen’s “Ballade” for Bass Trombone and String Orchestra.
Equally dedicated to performance and education, Barry has had a lasting impact on young musicians. He is an Associate Conductor of Bravo Brass. In addition to his conducting, he gives master classes, coaches sectionals, and rehearses/performs along side of BB students. His teaching extends far beyond the scope of Bravo Brass. He has served on the faculties of Drexel University and Temple University Music Prep, and has presented master classes at the University of the Arts, West Chester University, Drexel University, and Auburn University.
Karen Schubert
Karen Schubert is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music. She is currently principal horn with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Opera Delaware, and the Kennett Symphony of Chester County, and second horn with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Recently appointed third horn of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, she has also performed with, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the New Jersey Opera. Karen is also a member of The Fairmount Brass Quartet, and has performed as soloist with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and The Kennett Symphony of Chester County. She has been on the faculty of Immaculata University and Philadelphia Biblical University, and well as teaching privately throughout the area.
Brian Brown earned his Bachelor and Master degrees from the Juilliard School. His major teachers include Paul Krzywicki, Don Harry, Donald Harwood and Vincent Penzarella. He is currently principal tuba of the Philly Pops, Delaware Symphony Orchestra and The Stamford (Conn.) Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician, Mr. Brown has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia among others. He is Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the College of New Jersey,Rowan University and instructor of tuba at Princeton University. Mr. Brown is a member of the Westminster Brass and the Rowan University Faculty Brass Quintet.
Robert Skoniczin
An active freelance musician, Rob performs in a variety of settings and locales. He is Principal Trumpet with OperaDelaware and has performed with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Bach Choir (and Festival Orchestra) of Bethlehem (PA), New Jersey Opera Theatre, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Peter Nero and the Phillly Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra Community Outreach, Reading Symphony, Ocean City Pops, Wilmington String Ensemble, Gramercy Brass Orchestra, Sammy Kaye Orchestra, and Brian Pastor Big Band. Rob has played for numerous touring Broadway shows in Philadelphia and Wilmington. He has backed various star attractions such as Martina McBride, Anne Murray, Pete Fountain, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Hamlisch, Mannheim Steamroller, and performed for such dignitaries as Mother Teresa and former Chinese President Jiang Zemin during their visits to the United States. Rob can be heard on several recordings including Manhattan Transfer’s DVD The Christmas Concert, American Anthems with the Gramercy Brass Orchestra, and numerous spots for NFL Films. Rob is an instructor of trumpet at the University of Delaware and is a member of the National Band Association, the International Trumpet Guild, the American Federation of Musicians, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Barry McCommon, Associate Conductor
Soloist; freelance artist; studio musician; teaching artist. He began his career while still enrolled at The Curtis Institute of Music. His versatility has seen Barry share the stage with Opera greats (Luciano Pavarotti), Broadway/Cabaret stars (Bernadette Peters), Jazz heavies (Randy Brecker), R&B legends (Patti Labelle), to Pop/Rock icons (Peter Cetera) and many more, performing in Philly, Atlantic City, and New York.
Having carved out a career as an in-demand sideman, Barry is also a soloist. In recent years, he has appeared with the Ocean City Pops, Drexel University Concert Band, Liberty Brass Band, West Chester University Percussion Ensemble, and in his 6th solo appearance with Bravo Brass, performed a world premiere written (for Barry and Bravo Brass) by Jamie Wehr. The 2010-2011 season will see Barry performing solo at composer Andrea Clearfield’s “Salon” and in two performances of Eric Ewazen’s “Ballade” for Bass Trombone and String Orchestra.
Equally dedicated to performance and education, Barry has had a lasting impact on young musicians. He is an Associate Conductor of Bravo Brass. In addition to his conducting, he gives master classes, coaches sectionals, and rehearses/performs along side of BB students. His teaching extends far beyond the scope of Bravo Brass. He has served on the faculties of Drexel University and Temple University Music Prep, and has presented master classes at the University of the Arts, West Chester University, Drexel University, and Auburn University.
Karen Schubert
Karen Schubert is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music. She is currently principal horn with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Opera Delaware, and the Kennett Symphony of Chester County, and second horn with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Recently appointed third horn of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, she has also performed with, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and the New Jersey Opera. Karen is also a member of The Fairmount Brass Quartet, and has performed as soloist with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and The Kennett Symphony of Chester County. She has been on the faculty of Immaculata University and Philadelphia Biblical University, and well as teaching privately throughout the area.
Brian Brown earned his Bachelor and Master degrees from the Juilliard School. His major teachers include Paul Krzywicki, Don Harry, Donald Harwood and Vincent Penzarella. He is currently principal tuba of the Philly Pops, Delaware Symphony Orchestra and The Stamford (Conn.) Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician, Mr. Brown has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia among others. He is Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the College of New Jersey,Rowan University and instructor of tuba at Princeton University. Mr. Brown is a member of the Westminster Brass and the Rowan University Faculty Brass Quintet.