About Us

As the resident graduate brass quintet of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO, we strive to provide our community with enjoyable, and quality brass chamber music. Founded in August of 2017, Bierstadt Brass is in its first year as a group. We are committed to providing our community with high-level, inspiring, and enjoyable music in a variety of ways. 

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Personnel

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Grant Barker - Trumpet

Grant is currently pursuing his Master's of Music Performance at University of Northern Colorado where he is receiving his studies from Philip Hembree. He is currently a member of the Bierstadt Brass Quintet and third trumpet in the Longmont Symphony. Grant just recently graduated from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with a BM in Music Performance. Grant studied with John Rommel and Edmund Cord while he was there. He has performed with the Longmont Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and side-by-side with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra.

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Chris Pate - Trumpet

Chris is a musician and vegan enthusiast located in Greeley, Colorado. Recently graduated from the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, he is currently pursuing his Masters in Music Performance at the University of Northern Colorado. Chris has recently been appointed 2nd trumpet in the Longmont Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Elliot Moore. Former teachers include John Rommel, Dr. Michael Tunnell, Stacy Simpson, and Erick Matta.

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Nathan Fippinger - Horn

A hornist hailing from western Illinois, Nathan is currently attending UNCO working on his Masters in Music Performance after graduation from Luther College '19 in Decorah, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. He has previously performed with the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, Blue Lake Festival Band, Blue Lake Festival Orchestra, as well as various chamber groups and ensembles that have performed domestically and internationally. Nathan has also spent two summers as a counselor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, teaching and performing for students in Jr. High and High school. Nathan is currently a member of the Bierstadt Brass Quintet, and is 2nd horn in the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, as well as teaching privately and performing with other UNC ensembles.

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Eric Walker - Trombone

Eric is originally from Utah and recently completed a Bachelors Degree in Music Education at Utah State University.  While there he studied trombone with Dr. Todd Fallis and worked as a performer and teacher throughout Northern Utah.  He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Trombone Performance at the University of Northern Colorado and works as a graduate teaching assistant for the trombone studio.  He has performed at the Rocky Mountain Trombone Festival in Greeley as well as the Big Twelve Area Trombone Conference in Lubbock, Texas, and is a member of the Utah Festival Opera orchestra.

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Xan Perkins - Tuba

Xan is a musician and educator in the greater Denver, CO area. Currently, Xan is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Northern Colorado where he is pursuing a Masters of Music degree in Tuba Performance. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from Kansas State University in the Fall of 2016. As a tubist, trombonist and vocalist, Xan is an active member in the musical community where he regularly teaches and performs.

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Services for Hire

We are available for hire for many different occasions and special events such as; Weddings, Birthday Parties, Company Events, Various Ceremonies, Religious Events, and misc. Community Events.

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If you are interested in contacting us for your special event, please contact us here, or by emailing us at bierstadtbrass@gmail.com.