Tuba Recording from Velvet Brown and Crystal
Crystal Records has recently released the fifth studio album by tubist Velvet Brown on the label. The recording is the first to pair Brown with orchestral accompaniment. While Crystal has produced many outstanding recordings since it began 60 years ago, this effort has been described as “spectacular…a must for anyone who wants to hear fabulous tuba playing.” The repertoire includes works by Barbara York, Anna Segal, John Stevens, and Roger Kellaway. The two pieces by Segal, Pandora and Incantation: Concerto for Tuba were originally premiered by Brown.
The piece by Kellaway has previously been recorded by Velvet Brown with piano and returns to the work with the Budapest Film Orchestra and conductor Paul Polivnick. The tubist describes the deep emotions evoked by the piece. “It is moving for me to play a piece in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a focus on civil rights. In it, Kellaway follows the religious and musical portents of gospel and jazz. When I perform this work, it brings my personal heritage and journey back to me. I become nostalgic for my childhood church experience and feel uplifted spiritually when the piece concludes.” Velvet Brown is an international soloist, professor, composer/ arranger, conductor, and orchestral player. Music Professor at Pennsyl-vania State University and Artist Faculty at the Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University.
crystalrecords.com
Wenger Adds Keith Juhola
Wenger Corporation has announced that Keith Juhola has joined the company as Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls. Juhola will lead sales strategy and execution, working closely with Wenger’s customers, consultants, architects, and other partners to support growth across the company’s expanding portfolio of solutions for performance venues and theatrical productions. This appointment builds on momentum in its Performing Arts and Controls business following two strategic acquisitions in 2025.
wengercorp.com
Kendor, Doug Beach Jazz Releases
A new catalog of jazz ensemble music has arrived from Kendor Music Publishing and Doug Beach Music for 2026-27. The release consists of over 30 original works and arrangements for jazz ensemble, and free interactive online resources. to help directors with music selection and teaching. A wide range of jazz styles are represented, with technical levels spanning grades 1 through 4.
Kendor Music Publishing’s 2026-27 new releases includes original and arranged charts from composers Kris Berg, Jeff Jarvis, Clifton Jones, Sammy Nestico, and Greg Yasinitsky. Doug Beach Music’s release features composers Doug Beach, George Shutack, Mike Tomaro, and Bret Zvacek.
excelciamusic.com
Anne Fennell Joins Music for All
Music for All has appointed Anne Fennell as Senior Director of Education. With a career spanning four decades, Fennell recently concluded her tenure as Music Program Manager and Supervisor for San Diego Unified School District after 32 years as a music educator and six years in district administration.
In her role at Music for All, Fennell will provide strategic leadership for educational vision and programming, guiding the continued growth and excellence of the organization’s initiatives, advocacy efforts, and performance programs
Fennell serves as Western Division President for the National Association for Music Education, Past President of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), and continues to serve CMEA as its Advocacy Representative.
musicforall.org