GORHAM — To commemorate a British trumpeter and his unique brass ensemble, Betty Rines has once again assembled top-of-the-line professional brass musicians for the University of Southern Maine School of Music’s next Spotlight Series concert. The “Maine”-ly British Brass: A Tribute to the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble and the London Brass concert will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 in Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham campus.

Peter Martin will conduct the ensemble which include trumpeters Betty Rines, Mark Tipton, Alan Kaschub and Matthew Lagarde; trombonists Brian Diehl, Mark Manduca, Chris Oberholtzer and Thomas Michaud; Andrew Pelletier on horn; Dan Hunter on tuba; and percussionists Nancy Smith and Joshua Champagne.

Rines recalls a time in her life when as a young trumpet player she was delighted and inspired to listen to the full, rich sound of the brass section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. “As brass musicians we sit in the orchestra and wait for our few moments of glory — grand, fantastic and brief,” Rines said. Yet, in the next breath she recounted how in 1951 Phillip Jones changed that. “Jones took the brass from the back row to the forefront.”

The Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble started off merely as a basic brass quintet before it eventually transformed into a much larger ensemble, complete with 10 brass solo musicians. The most important feature of Jones’ influence on arrangements and compositions for these ensembles is that it recognized brass musicians as chamber players, providing unlimited new possibilities for contemporary composers. From arrangements of pieces from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, to contemporary works, what will be heard in this performance will be an ensemble of soloists.

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, call 207-780-5142 or email larsenault@usm.maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM’s telex / TDD number 207-780-5646.

Tickets are $15 general public, $10 seniors/USM employees/alums and $5 for students and children. For reservations, contact the Music Box Office at 207-780-5555, or visit www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice.

Go and Do:

SPOTLIGHT CONCERT SERIES, USM SCHOOL OF MUSIC

“Maine”-ly British Brass: A Tribute to the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble and the London Brass

Date and Time: February 8 at 8 p.m.

Location: Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus

Tickets: $15 General; $10 seniors, USM employees and alumni; $5 students

Reservations: www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice or 207-780-5555.