As artists in residence, the group will offer performances open to the public, accompany the Millsaps Singers and Chamber Singers in concert, organize a brass and percussion ensemble for local high school students and record a professional CD of the music performed during their residency.

"Capital Brass offers the Millsaps campus a professional ensemble that has high performance standards," said Dr. Tim Coker, Chair of the Millsaps Department of Performing Arts. "Our students will have the opportunity to see and hear them as they prepare and perform, which will provide insight into the dedication and the intricate workings of a professional ensemble. As well, the public performances will further enrich the cultural calendar in Jackson."

Established in 1981, Capital Brass specializes in entertaining and enlightening performances that feature a variety of musical styles. The music library of the group, which includes more than 400 works, ranges from Renaissance to jazz, with many original arrangements written especially for the ensemble.

"One of the unique things about Capital Brass is that we play a varied program," said Wayne Linehan, who plays trumpet and serves as general manager of the ensemble. "We typically start out with more established brass quintet literature and then play lighter things such as pop and jazz. We are lucky enough to have a drummer, which allows us to be more versatile in the music we can play."

The goal of Capital Brass is to foster an appreciation of brass music. Their programs often contain informative and amusing commentary on the music and its composers, as well as occasional visual aids to enhance the audience's understanding and enjoyment of the music. The group is also on the Touring Artists Roster of the Mississippi Arts Commission.

"As an organization that perpetuates the arts in Mississippi, we are very pleased to have a group such as Capital Brass on our roster," said Carolyn Morris, Arts Industry Director at the Mississippi Arts Commission. "They do a wonderful job of educating people about their genre. It's not often you have a group of this caliber outside the symphony orchestra."

In addition to Linehan, Capital Brass consists of Robert Cheesman (trumpet), Mimi Draut Linehan (horn), Ken Lyon (trombone), Tex Chapman (tuba) and Sherwood Berthold (percussion). All members of the group have high school or college teaching experience and perform with numerous professional ensembles, including the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.