CROSSVILLE, Tenn. — The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass (SSSB) is ready to showcase its brand of “Premium Entertainment” as the ensemble begins its 19th season of concerts featuring musical variety, technical excellence and some of the finest brass musicians in the region.

The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass will open its 2026–27 concert season with “Brass of the Masters” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, in the new, beautifully acoustic 1,200-seat auditorium at Cumberland County High School, 660 Stanley St., Crossville, Tennessee.

The concert’s title, “Brass of the Masters,” reflects both the variety of the program and the exceptional musical competence that Southern Stars has become known for among audiences in Crossville, Fairfield Glade, Cookeville and throughout the Cumberland Plateau.

Professional-Quality Musicians from Across the Region

The approximately 30 musicians who comprise the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass are professional-quality performers who travel from throughout Tennessee and the surrounding region to rehearse and perform in Crossville.

Some travel as far as 3½ hours each way, with musicians coming from Nashville, Tullahoma, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, Crossville, Knoxville, North Alabama and North Georgia.

The ensemble includes university professors of instrumental music, high school band directors, secondary music educators and freelance musicians from a variety of professional backgrounds who are also highly accomplished brass musicians.

The ensemble’s conductor is Dr. Stephen Sudduth, who is based near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sudduth is beginning his 16th season leading the Southern Stars musicians and travels approximately 540 miles one way to Crossville for rehearsals and performances.

Now that’s devotion!

“Brass of the Masters” Offers a Wide Variety of Music

Artistic Music Director Dwight Wages and Dr. Sudduth have selected a concert program designed to showcase the Southern Stars musicians as masters of brass performance while also highlighting music written or arranged to feature the distinctive sound of brass instruments.

Unlike a typical wind band, a British-style brass band features a unique instrumentation that includes cornets, alto horns, flugelhorn, baritones, trombones, euphoniums and tubas. Together, these instruments produce a rich, warm and more mellow sound.

The Southern Stars brass musicians are complemented by four percussionists who perform on a full battery of symphonic percussion instruments, including timpani, xylophone, vibraphone, chimes, glockenspiel, snare and bass drums, cymbals and a trap drum set.

The result is a powerful and versatile live music experience that ranges from classical music and marches to big-band sounds, popular music, movie themes and sacred selections.

Masters of Brass Music Featured on the Program

The “Brass of the Masters” portion of the concert will feature music associated with some of the most recognizable composers, performers and musical groups.

Selections include:

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass — selections from the legendary group’s repertoire
“Miller Magic” — music associated with big-band leader Glenn Miller
Billy Joel — “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)”
Gioachino Rossini — “La Gazza Ladra” (The Thieving Magpie) Overture
Gustav Holst — “First Suite in E-flat”
Hector Berlioz — “Hungarian March”
Something for Every Music Lover

The remainder of the concert will demonstrate the remarkable variety and versatility of the Southern Stars musicians.

The program will include:

“James Bond Collection” — a collection of memorable Agent 007 themes
“Make His Praise Glorious” — an upbeat sacred praise selection
“Valdres” — the famous Norwegian march
“Hornpipe Humoresque” — a satirical take on the traditional seafarers’ hornpipe
“Swinging Kilts” — a big-band swing selection based on Scotland’s iconic “Home of the Brave”

From classical music and traditional marches to big-band arrangements, movie themes and sacred music, the program is designed to offer something for virtually every music lover.

For residents and visitors looking for live music in Crossville, Tennessee, the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass concert offers a unique opportunity to hear an accomplished brass ensemble in a state-of-the-art local performance venue.

The concert is also easily accessible to audiences in Fairfield Glade, Cookeville, Knoxville and communities throughout the Cumberland Plateau.

Tickets and Admission

Express Jewelry Repair
Village Mall
126 Stonehenge Drive
Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

Individual concert tickets are:

Adults: $22
Students, including college students with ID: FREE
Season ticket for all three concerts: $50
Special Season-Ticket Promotion

Southern Stars is offering a special promotion for those who purchase a season ticket before the Sept. 20 concert.

With each season-ticket packet purchased before the season opener, the purchaser will receive one additional complimentary ticket.

The band asks season-ticket holders to give that complimentary ticket to someone they know who has never attended a Southern Stars Symphonic Brass concert and, if possible, bring that person as a guest to the Sept. 20 performance.

It is a great opportunity to introduce a friend, neighbor or family member to the excitement of live brass music in Crossville.

Two More Concerts in the 2026–27 Season

Following “Brass of the Masters,” Southern Stars Symphonic Brass will present two additional concerts in 2027, both at 3 p.m. in the 1,200-seat auditorium at Cumberland County High School in Crossville.

“Amazing Brass”
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027 — 3 p.m.

“Strike Up the Brass”
Sunday, May 2, 2027 — 3 p.m.

Together, the three concerts make up the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass 2026–27 season.

Experience Live Music in Crossville

Whether you are a longtime fan of brass bands and classical music, enjoy live instrumental performances, or are simply looking for something unique to do in Crossville or Fairfield Glade, Southern Stars Symphonic Brass offers an entertaining and memorable concert experience.

With musicians traveling from communities including Cookeville, Knoxville, Nashville, Murfreesboro and beyond, the ensemble brings together an exceptional collection of musical talent for audiences in Crossville and the surrounding region.

Come hear why Southern Stars Symphonic Brass has become a favorite destination for live music in Crossville, Tennessee.

For more information about the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass, upcoming concerts or tickets, contact Artistic Music Director Dwight Wages at 931-484-6939.