Third Edition
3th Edition (2018)
3th Edition 23–28 April 2018
About
The International Albanian Brass Festival is an international celebration of brass music, uniting renowned artists, educators, and young musicians through inspiring concerts, masterclasses, and artistic collaboration. The festival promotes musical excellence, cultural exchange, and the development of future generations of brass performers.
Calendar
Guest Artists
LUCA BENUCCI - ITALY
Luca Benucci is an internationally acclaimed horn player, educator, and artistic director with over 30 years of experience. Since 1995, he has served as Principal Horn of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra under Zubin Mehta and has appeared as Guest Principal Horn with many of the world’s leading orchestras, performing under legendary conductors including Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado, Simon Rattle, and Daniel Barenboim. Alongside his orchestral career, he is an active chamber musician, soloist, and founder of the Italian Brass Week and the World Brass Association, promoting excellence in brass education worldwide. A highly respected teacher, he has presented masterclasses at renowned universities and conservatories across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, inspiring generations of musicians through his artistry, leadership, and dedication to music education.
PAUL GOODCHILD - AUSTRALIA
Paul Goodchild is one of Australia’s most distinguished trumpet players, renowned for his outstanding orchestral, solo, and chamber music career. He joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at just 18 years old, later becoming Associate Principal Trumpet, and has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, and the United States. As a sought-after performer, he has collaborated with leading ensembles including the Australian Chamber Orchestra and appeared as a featured soloist with Sting during the Symphonicity Tour. Numerous Australian composers have written works especially for him, reflecting his influence on contemporary trumpet repertoire. Alongside his performing career, Paul is a highly respected educator, having taught at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and mentored generations of young musicians through masterclasses, conservatories, and music festivals.
AVITAL HANDLER - ISRAEL
Avital Handler is an internationally recognized tubist, educator, and chamber musician. Since the 2001–2002 season, she has served as Principal Tuba of the Israel Symphony Orchestra, the resident orchestra of the Israel Opera, performing extensively across Europe and beyond. Alongside her orchestral career, she teaches at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and other leading Israeli institutions. A passionate advocate for brass music, she founded the Israel Tuba Duo, released acclaimed solo recordings, and has organized masterclasses featuring world-renowned tuba artists. As a soloist, she has appeared with leading orchestras in Israel and has earned numerous national and international awards and scholarships. Avital continues to inspire audiences and students through her exceptional artistry, teaching, and dedication to the tuba.
ALBANIAN NATIONAL BRASS
It is created In 2016 from Albanian brass players of 3 countries: Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. The point of these ensemble is to unite the Albanian artists in all over Ballkan, to share Albanian culture and music throw concerts and to contribute to the artistic level in all the area.
ARKADY SHILKLOPER - RUSSIA
Arkady Shilkloper is a world-renowned French horn and alphorn virtuoso, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to jazz, classical, and improvised music. A graduate of the Moscow Gnessin Institute, he began his career with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra before establishing himself as one of the most innovative brass musicians of his generation. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading international artists and ensembles, including the Moscow Art Trio, Vienna Art Orchestra, and Pago Libre, while performing at prestigious festivals worldwide. Known for expanding the expressive possibilities of both the French horn and alphorn, Shilkloper has premiered new works, released numerous acclaimed recordings, and inspired audiences through his unique artistry, technical mastery, and creative approach to contemporary music.
OFFA BRASS QUINTET - ALBANIA
OFFA Ensemble is made on 2016 by artists of “Army Orchestra” in Albania. These ensemble is quite active in many official celebrations of serveral institucions in Albania and also in many concerts or festivals. These artists have brought to “Military Orchestra” a new artistic spirit and coolaboraion since except work they are close friends with each other.
SERGIU CARSTEA - ROMANIA
Sergiu Carstea is a distinguished Moldovan-Romanian trumpeter, educator, and conductor with an international career spanning over four decades. After graduating from the State Institute of Arts in Chișinău, he further specialized at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris under renowned professors Pierre Thibaud and Alain Curet. He has performed with leading orchestras in Moldova and Romania, serving as Principal Trumpet of the National Opera in Timișoara since 2000. Alongside his performing career, he is an Associate Professor at the West University of Timișoara, author of 15 Modern Technical Studies for trumpet, and founder of the International Brass Competition in Timișoara. A respected soloist, lecturer, and jury member, he continues to inspire musicians through his artistry and dedication to brass education.
KLEDIA TOSHI - ALBANIA
Kledia Toshi i nisi studimet e para ne piano prane shkolles se muzikes “Prenke Jakova” Shkoder, e me pas vazhdoi studimet prane Akademise se Arteve , Tirane me Pedagoge Anila Tartari. Ne vitin 2010 angazhohet si Pedagoge e ftuar prane U.A , T.K.O.B. Aktivitetet e saj solistike jane te shumellojshme si soliste dhe ne Muzike Dhome te zhvillara ne qytetet: Shkoder, Tirane, Korce etj. Aktualisht ajo eshte Pedagoge me kohe te plote prane Liceut Artistik “Jordan Misja” Tirane dhe gjithashtu vazhdon aktivitetin e saj koncertale.
ARBANA FEJZO - ALBANIA
She graduated about music composition at the Academy of Arts in Tirana. Around 20 years of activities, she has been successfully introduced outside Albania such as France, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia. Since 1998 he has been titular for the Analysis of Musical Forms.Also since 2011 she holds the title Prof. Assoc. The author”Aspect 1″ and “Aspect 2” are premiered of .compositions specially for the International Albania Brass Festival
KATIE COX - USA
Katie is a versatile freelance bass trombonist performing with orchestras, wind bands, jazz ensembles, and musical theatre productions across North Carolina and the surrounding region. With over twenty years of experience, she has built a diverse career as both a performer and educator. She earned her undergraduate degree from Truman State University, where she specialized in bass trombone, followed by a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music. Her doctoral research at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro combines music cognition, linguistics, and brass performance, exploring the relationship between musical and language sound systems. In addition to performing, Katie is co-owner of B&F Repairs, a musical instrument repair company, and regularly presents lectures and performances at festivals and universities.
ARTAN HASANI - KOSOVO
I am born in Prishtina (16.07.1981) but my origins are from Macedonia – Kercova. I have graduated at the University of Prishtina and I took a master degree at the Academy of Visual Arts Esra (Skopje-Macedonia). My pieces are interpreted in Tokyo (by a brilliant Trio from Japan “Flute Trio Fioritura), in USA (by Atoka String Quartet) in Macedonia (by “Ad Libitum Trio”), Poland (by “Nella Fantasia ” string quartet) , in Germany and in Kosovo by various artists. I have already 15-year contribution to the education of younger generations as a teacher in different high schools of music in Kosovo and I continue to work as teacher. I am also known as a piano player performing live music with various artist of different genres including Latino, Jazz, Flamenco etc.
THE ISRAEL TUBA DUO
I am born in Prishtina (16.07.1981) but my origins are from Macedonia – Kercova. I have graduated at the University of PrishtinThe Israel Tuba Duo is comprised of two of Israel’s top tuba players – Avital Handler, principal tubist of the Israel Opera and Haim Mazar, a high in demand freelance musician and a Juilliard graduate. Our goal is to bring the tuba to the front of the stage in both entreating and educational ways. Formed in 2015, IDT has performed many recitals and masterclasses across Israel. Including youth educational concerts sponsored by the Israel ministry of culture.In addition to performing in Israel ITD had two international tours to the United States sponsored by the The Office of Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York. In February 2018 ITD released its debut album with a fantastic varied program for listeners of all backgrounds.a and I took a master degree at the Academy of Visual Arts Esra (Skopje-Macedonia). My pieces are interpreted in Tokyo (by a brilliant Trio from Japan “Flute Trio Fioritura), in USA (by Atoka String Quartet) in Macedonia (by “Ad Libitum Trio”), Poland (by “Nella Fantasia ” string quartet) , in Germany and in Kosovo by various artists. I have already 15-year contribution to the education of younger generations as a teacher in different high schools of music in Kosovo and I continue to work as teacher. I am also known as a piano player performing live music with various artist of different genres including Latino, Jazz, Flamenco etc.
GENTI SHAHINI - ALBANIA
Genti Shahini graduated classic pianno at Konservatory of Pragues, with very high scores.also he has conducted master classess in Vienne, Paris, Germany etc. By V.Ashkenazin, Balashkiev, Alexander Jenner. After returning from Prague, he graduated for directing at Academy of Arts in tirana.He was the winner of several national and international prizes. His real passion, modern music will emerge/ appear from childhood, and he is currently among the best pianists in the country, especially music jazz.
ALDI AREZA - ALBANIA
Aldi was born in 1987 in Korçë, Albania. After graduating in 2009 from the class of Professor Margherita Kristidhi-Milkani at the University of Arts in Tirana, he worked as a guest lecturer at the University of Arts in Tirana and at the State University of Tetova, North Macedonia, from 2009 to 2013.
His concert career includes both solo performances and chamber music collaborations with renowned artists such as E. Mulla, P. Guralumi, K. Tusha, and others. Since 2015, he has been a full-time faculty member at the “Jordan Misja” Artistic High School in Tirana.
ANDI KONGO - ALBANIA
Andi Kongo, will present an orchestral jazz arrangement of “Tuman Kuqe” (Albanian traditional song), which will be played by the “Albanian Brass Ensemble”.
He has graduated from “Lucio Campiani” Conservatoire of Music in Mantova, Italy in choir conducting and composition. In Albania he has been playing in two concerts as a pianist for Gasper Çurçia Big Band, under the direction of Aleksander Lalo. Pianist, vocalist and leader of the musical band performing in two editions of A-Show, a TV show authored by Adi Krasta. He has composed and arranged many songs, jingles for TV shows, soundtracks for short movies and has participated as a songwriter and arranger in several National Festivals of Song at the Albanian Radio and Television. He has also participated in “Jazz in Albania” Festival (July 2016). In Italy, he has played the piano in two concerts of the jazz singer Barbara Casini with the Bonporti Jazz Band under the direction of Paolo Silvestri (July 2017). From 2016, he is pursuing a master degree in Jazz studies at Trento Conservatoire of Music, Italy. He has also participated in “Siena Young Lions – Meeting dei Conservatori Europei del Jazz”, hosted by the National Jazz Academy of Siena (november 2017).
Albanian Folk BraSs - ALBANIA
This is a brass ensemble dedicated to performing traditional Albanian music. The ensemble is composed of distinguished musicians from prestigious orchestras, including the Albanian Radio Television Symphony Orchestra (RTSH Symphony Orchestra), the Armed Forces Wind Orchestra, and others.
They are recognized for their highly engaging repertoire, which is based on well-known traditional Albanian songs that have been newly arranged and reimagined, presenting them in a fresh and distinctive musical style.
ERIK - DJ
Is performing in the best Clubs in Albania for more than 15 years like stable or guest DJ. He is well known for his style attending to the public the latest hits. Also he is cognitive of the Balkan traditional music.
NORA GARBESHI - KOSOVO
Leonora Gerbeshi from Kosovo , finished music high school “Çesk Zadeja” in Ferizaj at the class of Prof.Avni Krasniqi.
She continued her studies at the Prishtina Univesitry “Hasan Prishtina” at the class of Prof. Vaso Ristov, Prof. Isak Shehu and Prof. Avni Krasniqi. During her studies she took part in various concerts as a solo player, with chamber groups and ensembles. She was part of ESMA (European Summer Music Academy) in Prishtina (2014, 2015). Currently she is studying master degree at the Tirana University, at the class of Prof. Isak Shehu
VIGJILENCE ISLAMI - KOSOVO
Vigjilencë Islami from Prishtina , finished the elementary and secondary music school “Prenke Jakova” in Prishtine, at the class of Prof.Aida Gjikolli and Prof.Agron Shujaku. She took part in various competitions in Kosova and Macedonia . She had a piano recital(2014) ,have been part of “Chopin Piano Fest” in Prishtina (2012,2016,2017,2018) and performed in many concerts. She held masterclasses with well-known pianist : Gotlieb Wallisch, Maria Nemtsova,etc. She is currently studying piano at the University of Prishtina , at the class of Prof.Valbona Pula-Petrovci.
FANFARA ARBERIA - ALBANIA
Fanfara Arberia is a new music band. It was born as a logical need to reveal and highlight the best musical values of all the genres music, focusing on Albanian folklore. It formed by experienced musicians and instrumentalists who have been playing for years. “Fanfara Arberia” brought them together to give each other the chance to play music, in this very interesting lineup. This artistic group is inclined on its own ambition and high artistic professionalism to achieve a presentation abroad of the many motives and values of folklore of various forms, and not only Albanian music.
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