Brass and Percussion Festivals

Guest artist Bill Pfund leading a brass workshop at UNC Brass Day.
Festivals

Whether you are looking to sharpen your technique over the summer or find inspiration during the academic year, the University of Northern Colorado’s music festivals and camps offer unparalleled opportunities for growth. From middle school beginners to seasoned adult players, our events are designed to foster community and excellence in the heart of the Colorado brass and percussion scene.

See Brass & Percussion Day details

Learn more about Brass at UNC

Learn more about Percussion at UNC

2026 Brass & Percussion Day

Brass and percussion players of all levels are invited to the UNC campus for this free event! The day will include master classes, All-State audition prep sessions, student and faculty performances and more. 2026 Brass & Percussion day will be on November 14, 2026.

Morning

  • 8:30 a.m. Check In
  • 9:00 a.m. Brass Warm-up Class
  • 9:00 a.m. Percussion Fundamentals Class
  • 10:00 a.m. Large Ensemble Rehearsal
  • 10:00 a.m. Percussion Ensemble Rehearsal
  • 11:00 a.m. Clinics
    • Classical Trombone/Euphonium
    • Music Theory
    • Horn
    • Percussion
  • 12:00 p.m. Lunch & Visit Exhibits

Afternoon

  • 1:30 p.m. Clinics
    • Tuba
    • Improv/Jazz
    • Classical Trumpet
  • 2:30 p.m. Clinics
    • College Prep & Music Careers
    • Percussion with Diego Da Silva
  • 3:30 p.m. Student Groups Dress Rehearsal
  • 4:30 p.m. Break
  • 5:00-7:00 p.m. Closing Concert

2026 Brass & Percussion Day Guest Artists

Colorado Brass

Colorado Brass is the state’s premier British-style brass band. The ensemble is comprised of thirty brass players and percussionists from all over Colorado. Members come to the band as professional musicians, music educators, students, and brass band enthusiasts.

The band performs an annual subscription concert series in addition to national competitions and festivals, including the Rocky Mountain Brassworks Festival, the U.S. Masters Brass Band Championships, and the North American Brass Band Association Championships. The band performs a variety of styles, including: British brass band standards, contemporary work, jazz, Latin music and world premieres.

Colorado Brass has numerous podium finishes since 2022 at NABBA and the US Masters competitions. The Colorado Versatile Brass and Quintet have earned multiple 1st place honors and the band features some of the top solo competition winners in the United States.

Photo of the Colorado brass ensemble.

Jonathan Bumpus

Jonathan Bumpus is a trombonist and composer/arranger based in Northern Colorado. Jonathan regularly performs with leading Colorado groups including the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, UNC Greeley Jazz Festival All Stars, Gabriel Santiago Orchestra, David Caffey Jazz Orchestra, Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra, J&G Orquestra, touring productions at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and his own group, the Jonathan Bumpus Big Band. Jonathan’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by school and professional groups across the country; recent honors include the Sammy Nestico Award, Pathways to Jazz grant award, recognition from the IthacaCollege Jazz Composition Contest, Outstanding Graduate Arrangement from DownBeatMagazine, and commissions from the Airmen of Note, Colorado Brass, US Air ForceAcademy Falconaires, and the Wyoming All-State Jazz Band. Originally from Pullman,WA, Jonathan graduated from Whitworth University and the Eastman School of Music and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Northern Colorado. Jonathan teaches in the jazz studies program at the University of Wyoming.

Headshot of Jonathon Bumpus.

Meet Our Brass & Percussion Faculty