Stellenbosch University Brass Ensemble (SUBE)
Conductor: Pamela Kierman
Overview
Brass ensemble activity at Stellenbosch extends back to the earlier Konsubrass, established and conducted by the late Albert Engel, who laid the groundwork for structured brass ensemble training at the Department of Music. After a period of inactivity, the ensemble was re-established in 2011 as the Stellenbosch University Brass Ensemble (SUBE) through the combined initiative of former Head of the Department of Music, Prof. Winfried Lüdemann, and the late Sean Kierman, one of South Africa’s most influential brass pedagogues.
Musical Tradition and Instrumentation
The English and European brass band movement of the 19th century is regarded as the first large-scale “democratic” music for brass, as it was accessible to all and generally prevalent in coal-mining villages and towns where miners played in brass bands during their leisure hours.
The modern brass ensemble is more closely aligned with the symphonic use of brass instruments, typically consisting of 2–6 trumpets, 1–4 French horns, 3 or more trombones, possibly 1 euphonium, and 1–2 tubas; percussion is sometimes included to provide punctuation and tonal colour. The SUBE adheres to the instrumentation of the Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble, which was the leading practitioner in this sphere during the previous century.
Performance Profile
Since 2011, the SUBE has maintained an active performance profile. Highlights include appearances in the Endler Hall Lunch-Hour Concert Series, collaborations with the University of Stellenbosch Symphonic Wind Ensemble (USSWE), and performances at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, the SA Army Band Western Cape (Youngsfield), the Moravian Mission Station in Mamre, and the Ronnie and Eileen Music Project in Kuilsriver.
Whilst the late Sean Kierman conducted and trained the ensemble until his passing, the SUBE has also provided opportunities for student conductors, including Tyler Gibbons, Tibone Matikiti, and Jaylin Cupido, furthering its educational role. The ensemble is currently trained and conducted by Pamela Kierman, continuing its commitment to high-quality brass performance and pedagogy.
