Category 5 Brass​



The Category 5 Brass in South Florida's premiere brass quintet, performing in a variety of styles and multiple venues.  They perform regularly in outreach to under served schools in the Miami area in efforts to inspire youth in arts and change through musical action.



Member Bios:

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Matthew James Shefcik - Trumpet

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Matthew James Shefcik is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in trumpet performance from the University of Miami, where he is a fellow of the Henri Mancini Institute and performs with the Category 5 Brass Quintet. He has performed with the New World Symphony Orchestra, the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, and the Quincy (IL) Symphony Orchestra. He has also taught trumpet at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO. Originally from Chicago, Matthew has earned degrees from Roosevelt University and Western Illinois University. While at WIU, Matthew played 2nd trumpet in the LaMoine Brass Quintet, a faculty chamber ensemble. In 2006, Matthew was a finalist in the International Trumpet Guild’s Orchestral Excerpts competition. His trumpet instructors include Craig Morris, Channing Philbrick, Bruce Briney, Tage Larsen, Mark Ridenour, Bill Campbell, and Mark Schubert. He has spent one summer at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians in Hancock, ME, and two summers at Brevard Music Center in Brevard, NC.

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Jon Anderson - Horn 

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In 2011, Jon received his Master of Music degree at Boston University, while performing regularly with the Boston Civic Symphony, the Boston Philharmonia, the Marsh Chapel Choir, and the Berklee New Music Ensemble.  Jon was a semifinalist in the 2010 USA International Music Competition and a finalist for the 2012 Frost Concerto Competition.  Currently, Jon is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts on Horn at the Frost School of Music, performing as a member of the Florida Grand Opera, the Ars Flores Symphony, Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Category 5 Brass Quintet, and other South Florida groups.   Jon stays committed to education through active outreach in the Miami Dade community.  The Category 5 Brass perform outreach at local schools, community venues and hospitals.  Jon serves as a mentor musician in the Ars Flores Symphony, and previous mentored in the Boston Civic Symphony.  Principle Instructors include Richard Todd, Sam Pilafian, Eric Ruske, Pete Nowlen, and Jason Snider

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Sara Johnson - Trumpet (coming soon)

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Najjah Thompson - Tuba (coming soon)

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Andrew Friedrich - Trombone (coming soon)

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