Elizabeth Ward, horn,received a Bachelor of Arts degree fromthe University of Washington and a Master of Musical Arts degree from Yale School of Music. Ms Ward is a former member of the New Haven Symphony, Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, Pennsylvania Orchestra, Philadelphia Opera Orchestra and Young Audiences Inc., of Philadelphia. Returning to the Northwest, Ms Ward founded the Evergreen Brass Quintet. The Quintet is well known for its’ educational programs and is a part of the Washington State Arts Commissions’ “Arts In Education” and Arts Network of Washington,“Rural Residency” programs.
Dan Schmidt, trumpet, has degrees from the University of Nebraska, University of Northern Colorado, and the Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music. Dan spent twenty years in the USAF as a solo cornetist and then Band Commander; after retiring he taught thirteen years on the college level as a band director and trumpet teacher. He has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Antonio Symphony, and the Israel Philharmonic. Additionally he held principal trumpet positions with the Breckenridge Chamber Orchestra, the Breckenridge Brass, in Colorado; the Omaha Symphony and Lincoln Symphony Orchestras in Nebraska. Dan is a founding member of the Evergreen Brass.
Raymond De Leon, trumpet, Raymond Deleon started playing the trumpet at the age of six under the tutelage of his father. He had his first band concert at a very young age of nine and ever since then he has been featured as a premier soloist in different bands and orchestras in the Philippines. He has won three 1st Prize awards in the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA), the most prestigious music competition of the country. He also won the 3rd Prize in the International Trumpet Guild solo trumpet competition. He was also a semi-finalist in the 1st Calvia International Trumpet Competition in Mallorca, Spain. Raymond has toured Europe, US and Asia with the Asian Youth Orchestra and he has held the position of principal trumpet with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra. He was a recording artist and a member of Global Recording Orchestra, the leading recording company in the Philippines. He is currently serving in the US Army as a member of the 56th Army Band stationed at Joint Base Lewis – McChord.
William Branvold, trombone, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Tulsa School of Music and a Master of Music degree from Boston University's School for the Arts. While in Tulsa he performed as Second/Assistant Principal trombone with the Tulsa Philharmonic. While in Boston he performed with Boston Civic Symphony, North Shore Philharmonic, principal trombone; Opera Company of Boston, extra trombone. In the Seattle area he performs with Bellevue Philharmonic, principal trombone; Village Theatre, Past performances include 5th Avenue Theatre and Civic Light Opera. Bill is a returning member of the Evergreen Brass Quintet. His teachers include Forrest Bedke, Vernon Howard, Glen Walant, and Ronald Barron.
Meet The Evergreen Brass Quintet
Ivan Giddings, tuba, earned a Master of Music degree in tuba performance from Pennsylvania State University, and is a tuba teacher and performer by trade. Teaching at the University of Puget Sound Community music department, a full time private low brass studio, and performing in numerous ensembles in the Puget Sound area. In his efforts to improve response, articulation, and overall ease of playing he was led to mouthpiece design, along with instrument repair and modification. The teachers that have most influenced Ivan are Robert Harold, Rex Turner, Marty Erickson, and Arnold Jacobs.
Edwin De Leon, trumpet, A native of Malabon City, Manila, Philippines, Edwin began trumpet studies with his father at age 9 and gave his first public performance just one year later. At 17, Edwin was awarded first place in the Manila Symphony Orchestra, Young Artist Competition and 1985 he was recipient of first prize in the 1984 National Music Competition for Young Artists. In 1987, he was awarded a DAAD scholarship grant by the German government, which enabled him to complete his bachelor’s degree in trumpet at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen. He is currently a member of the United States Army Band at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Georege Steward, trumpet, George Steward earned a Bachelor of Music at Wheaton Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music at Yale School of Music. He has been principal trumpet in Elmhurst Symphony (IL), New Philharmonic Orchestra (IL), and Evergreen City Ballet, and assistant principal in Elgin Symphony (IL), Eastern Connecticut Symphony, and Bellevue Philharmonic. George is currently principal trumpet in Everett Philharmonic, Cascade Symphony, and Octava Chamber Orchestra. He is also a member of Brass Reflections as well as the Evergreen Brass Quintet. George has soloed with a number of ensembles nationwide. Locally he has been soloist with Brass Band Northwest, Boeing Employees Concert Band, Cascade Symphony, Everett Symphony, Skagit Symphony, Sammamish Symphony, Northwest Wind Symphony, and Octava Chamber Orchestra. George enjoys playing the national anthem for a number of local sports teams, along with musical theater, as well as occasional solo recitals. He teaches private students at his home studio in Lynnwood, and Spotlight Studios in Woodinville.
