The Sigtuna Brass Sextet, a charitable organisation since 1967, originating from the oldest municipality (980 A.D.) of Sweden is dedicated to maintaining the rich brass traditions established since the mid-1800’s in Sweden . Originally military trained, brass musicians established a broad cultural function providing music for a village Saturday night dance, Sunday morning church service, Sunday afternoon park music, holiday festivals, government and formal ceremonies, entertainment programs, special theme concerts, school commencements, weddings, funerals, etc.

The traditional repertoire includes adapted bravura operatic excerpts, military marches, folk dances, symphony orchestra adaptations, troubadour songs, folk songs, sacral works, established show tunes, beer-drinking songs, and imported Dixie and jazz tunes, etc. The sextet is especially partial to maintaining the traditions established by Bellman, Taube and Adolphson which seem to portray the Swedish heart during their contemporary periods. The repertoire always keeps up with the times and now includes popular songs by internationally known artists.

The instruments used in the sextet are from the early brass sextet period, ie from 1800’s and early 1900’s. – and indigenous to Sweden . The instruments were constructed to present a mellow singing sound which can produce the softest and tender concepts as well as the pompous.  The brass instruments have a rotary valve construction with the third valve being unique for Sweden . The instruments are either tuned in Eb or Bb and all parts are written in G-clef. The original idea was that any brass musician could play any of the brass instruments using the same fingerings and reading the same notes.  One of our current musicians can actually play all the instruments, the others being more specialized on their instruments, which is presently more the norm.

The brass sextet concept utilizes a colorful and bravura Eb cornet, the festive Bb cornet and trumpet, Eb horn, the solo and obligato Bb tenor basun, a second basun, Eb tuba, and trapset drummer. This combination provides all the ingredients for a full sound in most situations and musical traditions.

The sextet wears the Swedish military captain’s uniform from 1814. Unique are the three buttons on the sleeves which represent the three kingdoms of Sweden at the time – Sweden , Norway and Finland . When the Swedish army surrendered to the Russian army after a brief battle outside of Helsinki , Finland in 1814, Finland was released to Russia . Many of the Swedish officers did not support the surrender and the habit of moving one button on the sleeve was adopted awaiting the reinstatement of Finland to the Swedish Kingdom .

The Brass Sextet Members

Members of the sextet include long-time established musicians with experience from the career military bands, Swedish professional musician core,  Stockholm Opera orchestra, Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Swedish Radio Orchestra, established dance bands, famous big bands and show bands (Harry Arnold, Harry James, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr, Monika Zetterlund, Björn Skifs, Tommy Körberg, etc) and assistant professors at music universities.

Our special guest soloist; Björn Sjögren, a noted tenor performing often with the Swedish Opera, Folk Opera, etc enjoys the entertaining theatrical aspects. He also is a noted specialist of birds and snakes.

The Brass Sextet currently has the following programs available:

Dreaming of Elin – a delightful immigration story
The Ball – a musical presentation based on the humoristic poem of Gustaf Fröding
Remembering Bellman, Taube and Adolphson
Swedish Folk dances
Traditional park concert
Sweden loves America loves Sweden

The sextet also makes tailor-made programs for special occasions

Our goal is to not play faster than the listener can hear and enjoy

Contact information:

“For more information contact info@sigms.se”