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Community Corner

Guinness World Record Attempt For Local Musical Group

'Southington Brass Blast' invites regional trumpeters to compete.

Erik Semmel likes challenges. 

Only about a year ago, 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, Southington High School Principal, Dr. Martin Semmel, and friend Tim Johnson, Music Director at Kennedy Middle School.

And Southington Brass was born.

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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.

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." 

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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."

The Brass Blast, to be held on April 21, 2012, will take place at the High School football field (in the stands).  "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.

"We're going to try for a world record," said Semmel. "You won't know if you can do it until you try."

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