Brass quintet plays tonight

Staff Reports

Carson Valley Arts Council presents Great Basin Brass in concert today at the CVIC Hall in downtown Minden. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a reception catered by Tahoe Ridge Winery followed by the concert at 7 p.m. and dessert after the concert by Bravo Cafe and Bakery. Admission is a $15 donation at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Carson Valley Arts Council.

The Great Basin Brass Quintet has entertained northern Nevada audiences for the past 30 years and has performed in venues ranging from High Camp at Squaw Valley to Nightingale Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno. Great Basin Brass plays concert music to tunes played on garden hoses. The group has brought brass music into the elementary schools through the Discover Music program sponsored by the Reno Philharmonic Association.

All of the musicians of the Great Basin Brass have served with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and personnel includes professors of music, an attorney, a professional photographer and a freelance musician.

The nonprofit Carson Valley Arts Council targeted the old Copeland lumber building as having potential to be transformed into a multifunctional cultural arts center and theater and last year the CVAC received a donation from Big George Ventures toward the building's down payment.

The CVAC is in position for the first phase of a capital campaign to pay off the $1.5 million owed on the building. Owning the building free and clear will qualify CVAC for brick and mortar grants from large foundations for the renovation of the building into a multifunctional arts venue.

Big George Ventures will match every dollar donated by Carson Valley residents up to $25,000 for the next three months. Information at www.cvartcouncil.com or 782-8207.

The arts council's 2008-09 concert series continues with flamenco guitarist Kaweh on Feb. 6, blues guitarist Chris Cain on March 13 and Mumbo Gumbo on May 8.