About 3rd Coast Brass
3rd Coast Brass, Chicago’s premier symphonic brass ensemble, unites top-tier musicians from orchestras like the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Philharmonic, Grant Park Orchestra, Elgin Symphony, and beyond. Led by conductor Mark Fisher, we blend the rich tradition of brass music with bold, innovative repertoire. Our 2025 rebranding launches with Journey Through Time & Brass, a free concert series September 11–14, 2025, featuring Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and modern works like Gina Gillie’s Philharmonic Fanfare. Through 3CB Music Productions, LLC, we produce transformative concerts and educational programs, partnering with local charities to make brass music accessible to all. As an official America 250 Illinois partner, we enrich Chicago’s cultural scene with performances that inspire and unite. From our 2024 symphonic brass ensemble debut honoring the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble to A Very Brassy Christmas, we’ve captivated audiences across the Midwest.
In May 2024, the ensemble debuted as a symphonic brass ensemble with a program celebrating the legacy of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. The concert featured Gunther Schuller’s Symphony for Brass and Percussion and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Elgar Howarth) as the finale of Chamber Music on the Fox’s 10th Anniversary season.
In December 2024, 3rd Coast Brass presented their acclaimed A Very Brassy Christmas program throughout the Chicago area. This ten-piece brass concert offered a fresh take on holiday music, blending selections from holiday-themed films, traditional brass repertoire, and beloved Christmas songs.
With a history spanning over two decades, 3rd Coast Brass has performed in a variety of formats—from quintet to full symphonic brass and percussion ensemble—appearing across the Midwest and beyond. Notable highlights include their role as the featured chamber ensemble at Michigan’s Pine Mountain Music Festival in 2012 and their continued presence as a vibrant force in Chicago's cultural scene.
“The emergence of the Third Coast Brass, a symphonic brass Ensemble is one of the most exciting developments on the Chicago Classical Music scene.
Featuring leading Musicians from Lyric Opera Of Chicago, the Elgin Symphony and many area universities, performances offer visceral excitement and virtuosity.
Under the assured guidance of resident conductor Mark Fisher, Third Coast Brass makes a welcome contribution to the richness of concert life in Chicago.”
Michael Mulcahy - Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern University, Director - CSO BRASS
“3rd Coast Brass may be the best Brass Ensemble I’ve come across in the Midwest. Their intonation is superb and their arrangements, dynamics and attention to detail is not to be overlooked. Every theater, concert hall and performance venue should host these professionals and share their amazing virtuoso talent.”
Daniel Campbell - Woodstock Opera House Director
“3rd Coast Brass is an emergent ensemble of Chicagoland’s finest brass and percussion musicians under the direction of Mark Fisher. 3CB’s May 2024 performance at First United Methodist Church of Elgin impressed me with their melodicism, rounded blend, and pure pitch.”
Dave Kirk - Principal Tuba, Houston Symphony, Associate Professor, Shepherd School of Music (Rice University)
“Third Coast Brass plays with a life force you can feel as well as hear! Spanning centuries, genres, and styles, Third Coast performed a lively concert at the Gail Borden Public Library (Elgin, IL) in September 2024 that delighted and amazed our guests, who had little or no notion brass music was so varied. Helmed by bass trombonist Mark Fry and resident conductor Mark Fisher, each musician is a talented performer in their own right, and putting them all together results in a big, gorgeous, golden sound. You will not be disappointed listening to Third Coast Brass!”
Tish Calhamer - Director of Community Engagement, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL
