Community Corner

Southington Brass to Shoot for World Record Saturday

The group aims to bring 1,200 trumpeters together at Southington High School and raise money for the Mill Foundation in the process.

Southington Brass will reach for a world record on Saturday, aiming to bring together trumpet musicians from across the northeast as the aim to get their name in the Guinness Book of World Records.

It's a challenge that Erik Semmel is looking forward to - but the group needs your help.

"We've gotten a great response, but we need a lot of help to get this done," Semmel said. "It'll be close. I'm hoping we can get a number of last minute participants or walk-ons to help us reach our goal.

Join Southington Brass and hundreds of fellow trumpeters at Southington High School Saturday at as they look to establish a world record and raise money for charity in the process.

The current record has been held since 2006 by Bolivia and was achieved through the use of 1,166 trumpets. Semmel is aiming for 1,200.

Southington Brass has been raising money for The Mill Foundation for Kids since 2010. The Mill Foundation is a community-based organization that raises funds to buy things to bring a little sunshine into the lives of children who are under care for extremely life threatening illnesses.

"This would be a way to show the kids that we can do it bigger and better," he said. "If we get 1,200 players, we may be able to raise $30,000."

In 2010, Semmel started a local trumpet ensemble to encourage growth in music and perhaps make a difference in the local community. Semmel, whose three sons also play the trumpet, was looking for a way to play along with them and with his brother, Principal Martin Semmel, and friend Tim Johnson, Music Director at .

And Southington Brass was born.

Southington Brass boasts a group of musicians who range in age from elementary school to adult. The group numbers about twenty players and meets once a week in Semmel's garage to perfect their sound. 

"We try to perform for non-profits," said Semmel. "I wanted to show them that they can take their music and do something with it," he said. Besides beautiful music, the group wants to provide a public service while fostering relationships within the community.

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But, Semmel dreams big, and along with the ensemble, they have decided to attempt to gather enough brass musicians to break the Guinness World Record for largest trumpet ensemble. 

Up to the challenge, Semmel said, "Let's see if we can do something bigger."

"We will be performing The National Anthem and a selection that meets the Guinness criteria for this record-breaking attempt," said Semmel.

Trumpet players who haven't picked up their horns in a while and current trumpet students are especially encouraged to join.

Fees associated with the event will benefit the Southington High School Band backers, The Mill Foundation and the Connecticut Music Educators Association.

Go to Southington Brass' website to register to be one of the 1,200 players making history in April. The event begins at 2 p.m., with registration set to begin at 11 a.m.


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