Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band, March Madness Concert, 2026 (second half)

The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass is “The Official Brass Band of Tennessee,” as declared by the Tennessee State Legislature. This British-style brass band just completed its 18th Season, and is a federally-registered 501c3 organization. History of the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass is a 30-member strong ensemble based on the British brass band format. The instruments utilized are Eb Soprano cornet, Bb Cornets, Flugelhorn, Eb Alto Horns, Baritones, Euphoniums, Tenor and Bass Trombones, Eb & Bb Tubas, and three percussionists playing tympani, snare & bass drums, xylophone, chimes, cymbals, marimba, vibraphone, concert bells, and miscellaneous other small percussion equipment. The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band was organized in early 2008 by Dwight Wages, who had recently retired to the Cumberland Plateau after a 38-year career with Procter and Gamble. Dwight had previously been active as a musician with two other brass bands, the Cincinnati Brass Band and the Intrada Brass Band (Toronto), and was very keen to continue his involvement with this unique ensemble. Upon moving, he found that there was no brass band within reasonable driving distance, so he decided to look into organizing one in his new area to avoid having to personally drive far to participate in the music he loved. He contacted Charles Decker (trumpet professor at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville at that time), and Charles supplied him with the names of possible musicians in Eastern and Middle TN whom he believed might be interested in Dwight’s vision. The first rehearsal began in February 2008. Musicians in the group hail from Knoxville, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Cookeville, and Crossville. Many drive 1-3.5 hours (each way) for rehearsals and concerts. However, the winner for long-distance is the band’s conductor for 15 years, Dr. Steven Sudduth. Taking over the baton while he was a professor at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY, Dr. Sudduth remains committed to the ensemble even after his family has relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan! He is also the conductor of the Lansing (Michigan) Concert Band. The band typically prepares a full concert of mostly new music, with two rehearsals and a dress rehearsal the day of the concert, keeping their “Premium Entertainment” motto in mind. Feedback from concert audiences consistently confirms the quality of the band’s performances and the variety of music programmed. The name Southern Stars Symphonic Brass was selected for the following reasons: 1) The Band is drawn from Eastern & Middle Tennessee from the area’s top brass and percussion musicians; therefore, they are “Southern Stars.” 2) The Band plays music representative of a wide variety of styles and genres, often doing orchestral transcriptions. They pride themselves in being able to play with sensitivity and dynamics that audiences expect from a symphony orchestra, the use of “Symphonic” in the name 3) Lastly, the ensemble is 30 musicians strong—27 brass and 3 percussionists. Since the group is predominantly brass instrumentalists, the final part of the name is “Brass.” Since their inaugural concert in April 2008, the band has presented approximately 90 concerts in their 17 years of existence. The SSSB has produced 3 CDs and 2 DVDs that demonstrate the ensemble's quality. They perform a three-concert series in Crossville (their home and rehearsal location) and other concerts throughout the area. In recognition of their growing reputation, the Southern Stars have performed for estimated audiences of 7,000 at multiple Main Stage appearances at the Great American Brass Band Festival, beginning with their first performance on June 12, 2010, in Danville, Kentucky. This was the 21st anniversary of the GABBF, and the festival remains a very prestigious event, demonstrating that the Band has achieved its goal of being recognized as a top brass band in North America. They have been honored to be invited to perform at the GABBF on 3 separate occasions. The band welcomed international trumpet soloist Jens Lindemann as their guest in 2010, and in 2022, the band returned to the festival, performing with the renowned trumpet soloist Rex Richardson. In May of 2025, the band was honored to be named the Official Brass Band of Tennessee. The State Legislature passed a bill naming the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass with this title, which required a vote by both the House and Senate to designate the SSSB with this outstanding achievement. Speaker of the TN House, Cameron Sexton, made the official presentation at our concert on May 4th with a large framed plaque containing the wording of the official Bill and the GREAT SEAL of the state of Tennessee.