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 When I received the May 2006 issue of The Juilliard Journal, I realized the magnitude of changes I have seen in the institution since my graduation in 1949—from the building on Claremont Avenue by Grant's Tomb to multiple edifices at Lincoln Center, and from the fine student ensembles to many internal professional groups reflected in the glossy, colorful, impressive recent Journal. From my various professional positions in different parts of the country, I have followed this transformation with interest. I was especially intrigued with David Pratt's tribute to the American Brass Quintet, obviously one of the great existing organizations of this type.
You may be interested in knowing that the American brass quintet movement started at Juilliard in 1946, immediately following World War II. Many newly matured veterans from all over the United States entered Juilliard and the pool of talent and competition was extensive. As I follow with names of individuals, I apologize to those I forgot. Perhaps others who still survive will come forward and fill in the gaps so the Archives can reflect some degree of acknowledgement.
A trombonist named Julian Menken founded the Metropolitan Brass Ensemble as a professional group, which performed at Juilliard and Columbia, and around New York City under the batons of Robert Shaw, Robert Ward, and Juilliard's late flute teacher, Sam Baron. When the name of the group was changed to the New York Brass Ensemble, Sam Baron became the regular coach and conducted larger works. In 1951 he conducted the recording of Seven Canzonas of Giovanni Gabrielli, which subsequently was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque.
I played French horn with the group (basically a quintet, with players added as needed for specific works) from 1946-53, and we performed professionally throughout the East Coast. Universities, colleges, religious institutions, and music festivals were the primary employers. Here are the names of the performers in the group that I remember. Most were Juilliard graduates. Some remained longer than others, as many achieved positions in major musical and educational organizations in various parts of the country:
Trumpets: Armando Ghitalla, Robert Landholt, Herbert Mueller, Robert Nagel, Theodore Weiss.
Horns: Raymond Alonge, Norman Greenberg, John Schultz.
Trombones: Arnold Fromme, Richard Hixon, Julian Menken, Daniel Repole, Donald Whitekind.
Tubas: John William Barber, James Earl ("Jay") McAllister, Joseph Novotny, William Rose.
Norman C. Greenberg
(B.S. '49, French horn)
Durham, N.C.
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