Second Chair Brass

About Us

Rick Ennis plays euphonium, Bill Buttermore plays tuba.

"Second Chair Brass" is an amateur low brass duo. We play a variety of familiar, upbeat, and contagious Americana, polka, waltz, classical, Mardi Gras, Irish, Oktoberfest, serenade, and Christmas songs, as well as marches! We can tailor our performances around annual "themes" like Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, St Patrick's Day, Patriotic Holidays, the State Fair, Oktoberfest, etc. Ask about our German lederhosen outfits. Check out our Photo Gallery below.

Since we started in January 2013, Second Chair Brass has played more than 215 gigs - most to repeat fans! Based out of Ames, our band plays at private parties, downtown and area civic events, farmers markets, fund-raisers, cafes, and special "music therapy" songs for senior centers / living communities! We can be "front and center," or background music. Our rates are very reasonable. We even have lyrics ready for some songs!

Optionally, we love to tell audiences how our brass instruments work, why and how we took up our instrument-playing again later in life, how we formed as a group, etc. And we take questions from the audience!!

Nothing attracts and keeps people at your event like live music! Let us add value to your upcoming activity!

Check out our YouTube video medley, And listen to some short, (albeit poor quality) recorded music samples in the Audio Section below...

Member of the Ames Community Arts Council

First Chair Performances by SecondChairBrass

Ames Public Library, "German Immigration to Iowa" Celebration and Concert, April 2017

Ames Oktoberfest, Main Street, Fall 2015 through 2018.

Lincoln Highway Days, Nevada, August 2018.

Des Moines Farmer's Market, September 2015

City of Ames Independence Day Pancake Breakfast, July 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Veteran's Day Ceremony, Northcrest Community, Ames, November 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Ames Library Re-Grand Opening, September 2014

Ames Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, January 2014

Midnight Madness, Ames, July 2013

What Past Clients are Saying About Us

"Thank you for performing. My mother was counting down the days until your performance. Many thanks to you both for making an elderly lady feel YOUNG again!" Tina Hanson, Ames.

"We were so pleased to have you set the tone for the day. You were terrific!" Mary Logsdon, Manager, Ames Public Library, for the Sept. 14, 2014, Library Grand RE-opening.

“I just wanted to express how absolutely delighted we were with your performance last night. What talent ... and what a treat for them." Jessica, Ames.

“Absolutely fabulous! Terrific! The best band we have had in a long time.” Gale, Huxley.

"Thank you so much for playing! We loved the addition to our party of live music!" Sonya, Ames.

“They really enjoyed your music! We will look at our calendars and get back to you." Rhonda, Ankeny.

“The residents talked about you guys for days, and keep asking when you will be "back! Magenta, Jefferson.