Victory Brass: Bio
Victory Brass
The Victory Brass are ambassadors of brass chamber music. We didn’t start out that way... Most of us had gone to school together and had not experienced enough chamber music for our liking. After grumbling about our lot for some time, it finally occurred to us that we could form our own group. As we began to rehearse, we immediately agreed that we wanted to the group to be entertaining and innovative while educating our audiences in the history and future of brass chamber music. Through this mission the Victory Brass has quickly risen to become one of Kentucky’s premier brass ensembles. In addition, the Victory Brass are Artists in Residence at Centenary Methodist Church in Lexington, KY.
Arlo Thompson - Trumpet
Arlo Thompson began his education in Denver, Colorado before transferring to the University of Kentucky to finish his Bachelor of Music degree. Mr. Thompson has become an active freelance artist in the central Kentucky region, performing with numerous ensembles including the Lexington Philharmonic, Saxton's Cornet Band, the Lexington Brass Band, the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra, and the Brass Company Brass Quintet. In addition to the Victory Brass, Mr. Thompson also maintains a large studio of private students in his current position as a teacher at the Centenary School of Music.
Scott Heersche - Trumpet
As Director of Music Ministries for Centenary United Methodist, Ky’s largest Methodist congregation, Scott Heersche oversees all aspects of music and worship in the church. He directs the Chancel Choir, Celebration Singers, and Worship Orchestra, and co-directs the Truth Choir for middle and high school aged students. Scott also leads music in worship and is a founding member of the Victory Brass Quintet. Scott has composed and arranged numerous pieces for brass and choir, as well as in the contemporary Christian genre.
Scott is a graduate of the University of KY School of Music, and holds a Masters in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Scott has served as Director of Worship Arts for Hay Street Church in Fayetteville, NC. He has also served on the faculties of UK (Interim Professor of Trumpet), Transylvania University (Adjunct Trumpet Instructor and Jazz Ensemble Director), and Methodist College (Fayetteville, NC).
Fred Williams - Horn
Fred Williams holds degrees from Eastern Kentucky University (Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance) and the University of Akron (Master of Music in Horn Performance). During his undergraduate studies Mr. Williams was a member of various university and professional brass and woodwind quintets. In 1993 he was a member of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra based out of Pittsburgh, PA. During this time, other accomplishments include making his solo debut with the EKU Symphony Orchestra, performing Robert Schumann's Concertstuck. In addition to being a member of the Victory Brass, Mr. Williams is an active freelance artist, frequently performing with the Brass Company Brass Quintet, Derby City Brass Band, Lexington Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, and Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.
Brad Kerns - Trombone
Brad Kerns holds degrees from Boston University (MM, Trombone Performance) and the University of Kentucky (BM, Music Education). His teaching experiences include Asbury College, the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, and the Centenary School of Music. He has performed with many groups, including the Temptations, the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra, the Momus trombone quartet, the New England Brass Band, the Lexington Brass Band, ALEA III New Music Ensemble, the Piedmont Trombone Society, the New England trombone quarter, and Saxton's Cornet Band.
Christopher Bettler - Tuba
Chris Bettler is currently a freelance tuba artist/teacher in Central Kentucky, as well as a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Kentucky. He holds degrees from Bowling Green State University (MM, Music Performance) and the University of Louisville (BM Music Performance). His teachers include Skip Gray, John Jones, Jim Willett, Velvet Brown, and Tim Olt. He has performed with the Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Bach Society, Lexington Brass Band, Saxton’s Cornet Band, Paramount’s King’s Island’s “Way Too Much TV” Band, the Brass Company and many others.
Timothy J. Tesh - Trumpet
Former Member. Currently on the road playing lead trumpet in The Producers.
Clint Woltering - Trombone
Former Member. Currently a member of the United States Naval Academy Band.
Andy Critz - Tuba
Former Member. Currently teaching band at a small school in a small town somewhere in Kentucky.
Seth Vatt - Bass Trombone
Former Member. Whereabouts unknown.