Five Lakes Silver Band: Wessex Ambassadors and Artists
The Five Lakes Silver Band are extremely pleased to partner with Wessex Instruments and be designated as Wessex Ambassadors. In addition, our tuba section will be known as Wessex Artists and are thrilled to play on the Gnagey Eb and the Prokofiev BBb tubas. Our goal is to create an “American brass band bass sound” that is built on the great traditions of British brass bands while blending it with the American symphonic tuba sound.
|
|
2022 Dublin Festival of Brass: Best Bass Section
Meet our Wessex Artist bass section!
Chris Jackson - Principal Eb Bass
Chris Jackson began playing tuba at age 12 and during his high school years was a member of the University of Michigan All-State program and the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Chris studied tuba with Dr. Stacy Baker, Michelle McCaleb and James Jansen. While at Eastern Michigan University he studied with Marty Erickson and Matt Tropman, winning the William Stewart solo competition in 2006.
Chris has been a member of the Five Lakes Silver Band since 2008, and has been a featured soloist with the band. In addition to FLSB he has performed with the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, Royal Oak Symphony and the Solid Brass Quintet.
Chris works in the medical manufacturing field as a post-market failure analysis technician. He lives in Ypsilanti with his wife Traci and children Ruth, Sarah and Daniel. For recreation he enjoys golf, disc golf and barbecuing.
Tyler Schreiber: Eb Bass Tuba
Tyler Schreiber started playing tuba in 2011, during 7th grade. He switched from clarinet to tuba in hopes to save his family money from renting an instrument. Little did they know, Tyler would quickly fall in love with the tuba and making music in ensembles outside of school. As a result, Tyler spent his middle school and high school years playing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles and the Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. After High School, Tyler studied Music Education and Tuba Performance at Bowling Green State University.
Tyler's most memorable performances are playing on the radio after placing second in the Graduate Chamber Competition at BGSU, traveling to Nova Scotia to play in their International TATTOO, and playing at the unveiling of the Detroit Athletic Clubs' new statue in 2015. Tyler attributes his success to the teachers he studied with; Glenn Anderson, Neil Campbell, and Dave Saltzman.
When Tyler is not playing the tuba, he teaches music, spends time in his workshop, and knocks down pins at a local bowling alley.
Steve Molnar - Principal Bb Bass
Steve Molnar is a founding member of the Five Lakes Silver Band. He completed a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory and a master’s degree from Western Michigan University in music performance.
Steve is the principal tuba of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and a founding member of the Quintus Brass. Previously he was the low brass coach and director of the South Bend Youth Symphony Brass Choir and the tuba instructor at Blue lakes Fine Arts Camp. An avid teacher as well as an adept performer he has worked with numerous high school band programs and maintains a private teaching studio.
Recently Steve has merged his passion for woodworking with music as a “Work of Art Custom Batons Artisan” where he produces one of a kind “Musician Pencils.” He also currently works for the University of Michigan in the registrars office.
Steve resides in South Lyon, Michigan with his wife Hannah and sons Stephen and Connor. He is an enthusiastic sportsman, enjoying racquetball, scuba diving and boating.
Tom Silvey: Bb Bass Tuba
With nine years of experience as a brass musician and Tubist, Tom is one of the youngest members of the Five Lakes Silver Band. Upon graduation from Clarkston Senior High School, He joined the Five Lakes Silver Band in the 2018 season. He is an artist that has participated in the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Festival, Michigan Youth Arts Festival, Michigan Music Conference Youth Orchestra, and studied Tuba with Steve Molnar.
While away from banding, Tom studies Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University.
Brian P. Gorski: Bb Bass Tuba
Brian Gorski joined the Five Lakes Silver Band in January 2023. An Alumnus of Eastern Michigan University, he studied Music Performance with elite brass faculty including Matt Tropman, Aaron Tindall, and Gail Robertson. While attending EMU he won the William Stewart Undergraduate Solo Competition in 2012 and received several awards for his musicianship, leadership, and service during his studies at EMU.
Upon graduation, Mr. Gorski served for several years as the University Bands Administrative Assistant at Eastern Michigan University where he managed and coordinated the band department’s day to day business and operations.
Mr. Gorski is currently the Director and conductor of the Adrian City Band, the second oldest continuously active community band in the country. He maintains an active private teaching studio and in addition to preforming on tuba and conducting, also performs regularly on electric bass in musical theater and jazz settings. Brian is also active as a freelance musician and guest clinician in Southeastern Michigan and Ohio where he has worked with several area music programs both in concert band and marching band settings.
He resides in his hometown of Blissfield, MI where he works day to day as an Administrative Assistant for a local church. In his free time, Brian enjoys supporting his colleagues and fellow musicians by attending local concerts and theater performances, arranging and composing music, creating graphic designs, and spending time with his friends and family; especially his niece and nephew.
Chris Jackson - Principal Eb Bass
Chris Jackson began playing tuba at age 12 and during his high school years was a member of the University of Michigan All-State program and the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Chris studied tuba with Dr. Stacy Baker, Michelle McCaleb and James Jansen. While at Eastern Michigan University he studied with Marty Erickson and Matt Tropman, winning the William Stewart solo competition in 2006.
Chris has been a member of the Five Lakes Silver Band since 2008, and has been a featured soloist with the band. In addition to FLSB he has performed with the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, Royal Oak Symphony and the Solid Brass Quintet.
Chris works in the medical manufacturing field as a post-market failure analysis technician. He lives in Ypsilanti with his wife Traci and children Ruth, Sarah and Daniel. For recreation he enjoys golf, disc golf and barbecuing.
Tyler Schreiber: Eb Bass Tuba
Tyler Schreiber started playing tuba in 2011, during 7th grade. He switched from clarinet to tuba in hopes to save his family money from renting an instrument. Little did they know, Tyler would quickly fall in love with the tuba and making music in ensembles outside of school. As a result, Tyler spent his middle school and high school years playing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles and the Michigan Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. After High School, Tyler studied Music Education and Tuba Performance at Bowling Green State University.
Tyler's most memorable performances are playing on the radio after placing second in the Graduate Chamber Competition at BGSU, traveling to Nova Scotia to play in their International TATTOO, and playing at the unveiling of the Detroit Athletic Clubs' new statue in 2015. Tyler attributes his success to the teachers he studied with; Glenn Anderson, Neil Campbell, and Dave Saltzman.
When Tyler is not playing the tuba, he teaches music, spends time in his workshop, and knocks down pins at a local bowling alley.
Steve Molnar - Principal Bb Bass
Steve Molnar is a founding member of the Five Lakes Silver Band. He completed a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory and a master’s degree from Western Michigan University in music performance.
Steve is the principal tuba of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and a founding member of the Quintus Brass. Previously he was the low brass coach and director of the South Bend Youth Symphony Brass Choir and the tuba instructor at Blue lakes Fine Arts Camp. An avid teacher as well as an adept performer he has worked with numerous high school band programs and maintains a private teaching studio.
Recently Steve has merged his passion for woodworking with music as a “Work of Art Custom Batons Artisan” where he produces one of a kind “Musician Pencils.” He also currently works for the University of Michigan in the registrars office.
Steve resides in South Lyon, Michigan with his wife Hannah and sons Stephen and Connor. He is an enthusiastic sportsman, enjoying racquetball, scuba diving and boating.
Tom Silvey: Bb Bass Tuba
With nine years of experience as a brass musician and Tubist, Tom is one of the youngest members of the Five Lakes Silver Band. Upon graduation from Clarkston Senior High School, He joined the Five Lakes Silver Band in the 2018 season. He is an artist that has participated in the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Festival, Michigan Youth Arts Festival, Michigan Music Conference Youth Orchestra, and studied Tuba with Steve Molnar.
While away from banding, Tom studies Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University.
Brian P. Gorski: Bb Bass Tuba
Brian Gorski joined the Five Lakes Silver Band in January 2023. An Alumnus of Eastern Michigan University, he studied Music Performance with elite brass faculty including Matt Tropman, Aaron Tindall, and Gail Robertson. While attending EMU he won the William Stewart Undergraduate Solo Competition in 2012 and received several awards for his musicianship, leadership, and service during his studies at EMU.
Upon graduation, Mr. Gorski served for several years as the University Bands Administrative Assistant at Eastern Michigan University where he managed and coordinated the band department’s day to day business and operations.
Mr. Gorski is currently the Director and conductor of the Adrian City Band, the second oldest continuously active community band in the country. He maintains an active private teaching studio and in addition to preforming on tuba and conducting, also performs regularly on electric bass in musical theater and jazz settings. Brian is also active as a freelance musician and guest clinician in Southeastern Michigan and Ohio where he has worked with several area music programs both in concert band and marching band settings.
He resides in his hometown of Blissfield, MI where he works day to day as an Administrative Assistant for a local church. In his free time, Brian enjoys supporting his colleagues and fellow musicians by attending local concerts and theater performances, arranging and composing music, creating graphic designs, and spending time with his friends and family; especially his niece and nephew.