Sostines Brass

Continuous communication and a desire for musical improvement led five musicians to the foundation of the “Sostines Vario Kvintetas”, or simply, "Sostines Brass". Since 1997 the band has been frequently participating in cultural life of Lithuania. During the 10 years of existence there has been performed over 400 concerts for Lithuanian as well foreign listeners.
“Sostines Brass” is a constant participant of the major Lithuanian cultural festivals. It is an undivisible part of The Great Musicians Parade, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra's Chamber music nights, “Alma Mater Musicalis” as well as Klaipeda Brass Bands Festival. The band works together with other Lithuanian artistic collectives such as Chamber choir „Brevis“, choir „Psalmos“, Cathedral Basilica Cianto Gregoriano choir. The band is doing common projects together with “Giunter percussion”, participates in Lithuania Culture Ministery's projects and festivals. The band is constantly giving performances and recitals.
In the summer of 2003 the “Sostines Brass” was invited and participated in the brass band music festival in Jönköping (Sweden), there was warmly welcomed and received high evaluation of the festival coordinators which resulted in invitation to other international festivals in Germany and Canada. In 2008 they have successfully performed in Rome.
The programe includes music of various epochs – from Renaissance to Modern times, of various styles – classical, jazz, pop.
A great number of brass music pieces have been recorded in National Radio and Television and 2 Albums have been released. Being members of ensembles and orchestras the musicians of “Sostines Brass” played in many European countries as well as Japan, Egypt and Taiwan. In 2008 the Quintet was awarded with "The Golden Disc" - highest award of the Lithuanian Musicians' Society.
Since 2005 band members are Algirdas Janusevicius, Domas Memenas (trompetes), Marius Rancovas (french horn), Vygantas Silinskas (trombone) and Darius Bazanovas (tuba). In 2005 "Sostines Brass" lost one of its members Saulius Antanas Zvirblis (1971-2005). The audience was always fascinated with a smooth and tuneful sound of S. Zvirblis’ trumpet and his sincerity on the stage, his colleagues were delighted with his devotion to music and work.
Algirdas Janusevicius was born in 1961, Klaipeda. In 1976 he entered Klaipedos S.Simkus High Music School and studied there with V.Nemaniunas. He is the winner of Republic Brass Competition in 1979. In 1980 he entered Moscow P.Tchaikovsky Conservatoire, where his Professor was Y.Usov. 1987-1991 he worked in Klaipeda Music Theatre. Since 1991 he has been playing in Lithuania State Symphony Orchestra as the trumpet group leader. During his professional carreer he was performing solo and in different orchestras under greatest conductors, such as Ch.Eschenbach, M.Rostrapovich, K.Penderecki, V.Ponkin, D.Liss, J.Aleksa, S.Sondeckis, J.Domarkas etc.
Domas Memenas was born in 1976 in Klaipeda. He was a student of V.Bruzas at the E.Balsys School of Arts and V.Nemaniunas at the S.Simkus High Music School. 1994-1998 he studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music with M.Kumpys, 1996-1997 he was a student of prof. L. Bengtsson at the Malmö Academy of Music. In 2000 he finnished his major studies with A.Kontautas at the Lithuanian Academy of Music. He won twice the J.Pakalnis National Competition. 1996 – 1997 Domas Memėnas was a member of Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. Since 1997 he is a member of National Philharmony Orchestra.
Marius Rancovas was born in 1971, Panevezys. In 1982 started piano classes in Panevezys Children Music School. Later entered Panevezio Conservartoire, French horn class under prof. A.Bukauskas. He is the winner of Republic Young Artists Brass Competition in 1988. From 1990 to 1996 he studied in Lithuania Music Academy, under prof. E.Barazauskas. At present he is playing in Lithuania State Symphony Orchestra.
Vygantas Silinskas was born in 1966, Silute. In 1981 he entered Klaipedos S.Simkaus High Music School. 1985-1992 studied in Lithuania Music Academy under prof. T.Adomavicius. He is the winner of Republic Young Artists Competitions (1980-1984). 1989 worked on probation in Waymar (Germany). Since 1989 has been playing in Lithuania State Symphony Orchestra as the trombone group leader.
Darius Bazanovas was born in 1970, Vilnius. In 1980 entered B.Dvarionas Children Music School. In 1991 he graduated Vilnius J.Tallat-Kelpsa High Music School, tuba class under prof. V.Sochas. He is the winner of 1988 Republic Young Artists Brass Competition. In 2003 he graduated Lithuania Music Academy under prof. L.Ulevicius. At the present he is playing in Lithuania State Symphony Orchestra.
***
Some cheerful moments of the concert "Bremen Town Musicians", played in Vilnius Congress Hall
Sostines Brass perform Leroy Anderson and Dmitri Shostakovich at The "Grand Musicians' Parade" in 2004 - Video Link:
http://mediaplayer.penki.lt/MediaCenter.aspx?Lang=LT&OID =120464&q=low