Danny Helseth danny.helseth@brassbandnw.org Artistic Director, Principal Conductor and Euphonium Soloist

When asked to describe Danny Helseth as a musician, composers Joseph T. Spaniola and Brett Miller use the words such as “high energy…intensity…emotion-filled”.  Danny has never been known to go into anything half-way, but rather puts everything he has into what he does.  This is very evident as Danny pursues his musical career on the euphonium. 

Danny began his education with a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Washington University (1999); continued with a Master in Music Performance, Euphonium from The University of North Texas (2002); and a Post-graduate Diploma in Performance from The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England where he studied on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Currently, Danny is a freelance musician and solo euphoniumist in the Seattle area.  With the release of his debut solo album, “Snapshots!” he is quickly establishing himself as a dynamic soloist, and educator, giving master classes and clinics to middle school and high school bands; inspiring students to energetically give everything they have to the cause of passionate music making.

As a former member of the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C., Danny was quickly recognized as an energetic and engaging soloist, featured several times with the band including the spring 2004 national tour.  Helseth performed as a chamber musician and clinician at universities all over the US as a member of the Tower Brass Quintet. 

Searching for new music, and new ways of musical expression, Danny has had the opportunity to debut several newly commissioned pieces, including:

• “Dream” for euphonium and string quartet by Joseph T. Spaniola
• “Concerto” for euphonium and orchestra by James Kazik
• “6 Moods” for euphonium and piano by Brett Miller.

Helseth has recorded with The North Texas Wind Symphony, the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra, and the United States Air Force Band.  He has performed as principal trombonist with the Friday Morning Music Club Symphony in Washington D.C., and the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, and as euphoniumist with the Serapis Foundation, the Auburn Symphony, and is now principal and solo euphoniumist with Brass Band Northwest.  

Danny, throughout his life, has been in contact with extraordinary musicians, many of whom have been his private teachers, including:  Larry Gookin, Tom Gause, and Dr. Russ Schultz at Central Washington; Dr. Brian Bowman and Vern Kagarice at The University of North Texas; Steven Mead and Jim Gorlay at The Royal Northern College of Music; and Patrick Sheridan and Sam Pilafian at The Institute for Performance Success.  Countless other musicians, colleagues and students have taught and inspired Danny’s music and direction.

Danny Helseth is a Besson Performing Artist and performs exclusively on a Besson Prestige 2051 Euphonium.

Steve Keene stkeene@brassbandnw.org Artistic Director/Principal Conductor Emeritus

Steve Keene and Denny Schreffler founded Brass Band Northwest in January of 2002, and Steve was the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor through the 2007 season. In the Spring of 2004, Steve moved east of the mountains to the little town of Peshastin, near Leavenworth, and continued to make weekly treks across the passes for three years to lead the band. In August of 2006, Steve married Kristin, another fine trumpet player and elementary school music teacher in Cashmere, WA. Together, they have two lovely and musical daughters, and perform in the Icicle Brass Quintet. Steve is also a Yamaha Performing Artist on trumpet and teaches at the Woods House Conservatory in Wenatchee.

Steve has made a busy life for himself in Peshastin, where he now serves as Chairman of the Community Council and on the board of the Chelan County Upper Valley Parks and Recreation Service Area. Besides his family, music and community involvement, Steve is also busy with his computer database business, ClearView Computing, his photography and website design business, Digitography, and as a part-time white-water river raft guide for River Riders in Leavenworth. He's enjoying life and having way more fun than most people are entitled too.

Steve decided to retire as Artistic Director/Principal Conductor of Brass Band Northwest at the end of the 2007/08 season. Unable to completely give up his baby, though, Steve continues to server as a member of the Board of Directors and as producer of the Northwest International Brass Band Festival.

Steve is very excited about having Danny Helseth take over the helm of Brass Band Northwest, was instrumental in choosing him for the position, and is looking forward to seeing the band continue to grow and thrive as a premier musical ensemble in the Pacific Northwest.

Steve is a Yamaha Performing Artist, proudly performing exclusively on Yamaha trumpets and cornets.

 
Click on the cornet to hear Steve's Flugelhorn solo on "With You I'm Born Again.   (3.7 mb)