Members of The King’s Brass have a standing promise at their concerts. To stand up for the idea that music should indeed be a joyful noise, as Scripture says.
And to literally stand. Period.
The nine-member, faith-oriented ensemble is more likely to purposely miss a note than to take a seat too often during its energetic performances, including a free one scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bible Church of Columbus, 3010 10th St. in Columbus.
“We are busy coming down the aisles,” group leader and trumpeter Tim Zimmerman said in an interview with The Republic a few years ago. “We’re at the front and we’re at the back. We’re everywhere.”
The members — three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, keyboard and percussion — perform tunes from Handel to jazz spirituals with one perspective front and center.
“It’s a sin to bore people with anything related to Christianity,” Zimmerman said.
Songs range from the more modern Rich Mullins’ anthem “Awesome God” to the classic hymn “It is Well.” They also sometimes work in mainstream numbers into a set list.
Zimmerman is the son of missionary parents. These days, he is a missionary for musical exuberance. Not to mention excellence — so much so that David Bowden, artistic director for the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and quite a representative of excellence himself through the years, has been a big fan.
Bowden has called members of the brass ensemble “great entertainers and outstanding musicians.” And hearty ones, too, considering that, in some years, the group has performed more than 120 concerts in churches and elsewhere.
Zimmerman launched the nationally touring group more than 30 years ago. The band does all its own arrangements.
The band’s leader has been a member of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and often has assisted with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. For 13 years, he served as artist-in-residence and chairman of the Music Department at Grace College in Winona Lake.
One thing Zimmerman lightheartedly mentioned that his musicians need besides remarkable instrumental skill, though: “Those who can handle long car rides without being tempted to kill each other.”
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Who: The nine-member nationally touring King’s Brass ensemble.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Bible Church of Columbus, 3010 10th St. in Columbus.
Admission: Tickets are free. Call 812-375-9515 and leave a message or email [email protected].
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