Leading up to these #MeToo times, Mary Elizabeth Bowden had already been focused on advancing the autonomy of one group of powerful female performers: musicians.
Mary, 36, is a trumpeter who started two all-female ensembles in 2014: She co-founded the Naples-based nonprofit Chrysalis Chamber Players and founded the innovative all-brass group Seraph Brass, which performs new arrangements and commissions new works.
Mary Elizabeth Bowden
The founding of Chrysalis as an all-female group was serendipitous, and male musicians are often invited to perform, though the philosophy behind Seraph was more pointed.
“With Seraph, I wanted to provide role models, especially for young female musicians playing brass. The brass world is very male-dominated, and when I was a kid, my role models were all-male ensembles,” Mary says. “I wanted to showcase America’s top female brass players. When we tour, and we see the excitement, it reminds of me why we do what we do. But ultimately, it’s about the music.”
It was in Naples that Bowden met her future husband, David Dash, also a trumpet player, during auditions for the Naples Philharmonic in 2008. David served as the Phil’s assistant principal trumpet for nine seasons, and Mary embarked on an independent solo career in chamber music.
After she moved to Naples in 2010 to be with David, Mary connected with pianist Catherine Lan and flutist Meghan Brachle, both of Miami and highly esteemed in their own careers. They had met while performing in various concerts.
“We wanted to form a chamber group with flexible instrumentation, because there’s so much repertoire we wanted to explore. We had the same vision to create something new,” Mary recalls.
It’s not often that the three Chrysalis co-founders are the only ones on stage; local and returning musicians from Naples, Miami and Sarasota often collaborate. As a 10-piece ensemble, Chrysalis toured the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area.
Performing a range of works by classical and contemporary composers, Chrysalis has fun no matter the program, ensemble makeup or venue.
“First of all, we’re really good friends. When we rehearse together, we feel comfortable and at ease. We have a lot fun together,” Mary says.
This season will find the trio on one local stage during Shell Point Retirement Community’s Concert Series in April.
Mary’s horn rarely rests. She is the principal trumpet of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra but had to give up that same role with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra due to her demanding tour schedule. That’s in addition to co-founding Seraph Brass and launching Chrysalis.
“We do a lot of touring. During the last two seasons, we had about 100 dates around the country. We have played in Finland and in Mexico,” Mary says.
In January, the group released its first album through Summit Records, “Asteria,” which includes commissioned new works by arranger and composer Catherine McMichael as well as by Opera Philadelphia Composer in Residence Rene Orth. “Asteria” earned a Silver Medal Global Music Award. This season, Seraph Brass is scheduled to perform two “Classical Holiday Brass” concerts at Sarasota’s Historic Asolo Theater in December.
Seraph Brass performs new arrangements and commissions new works.
Mary included Catherine’s trumpet sonata on her first album, “Radiance.” Mary and her husband had met Catherine when they were on the same program for the Naples Symphony, and the topic of the trumpet sonata arose. “That all comes from being in Naples. It’s interesting how everything works,” Mary says.
Seemingly tireless, Mary recently recorded an album with the Pittsburgh-based trumpet, strings and harp Kassia Ensemble, comprised exclusively of women who play in professional orchestras. “Rêverie,” a studio recording of Mary as soloist accompanied by the Kassia Ensemble, will be released in April. Mary is collaborating with Kassia on several tours, and the group will perform at First Presbyterian Church in Naples in February. “Rêverie” will be available for purchase at the concert.
Dave and Mary became part-time Neapolitans after moving to North Carolina last fall. The move puts him closer to his position as assistant professor of trumpet at North Carolina School of the Arts, where she is a resident artist. She estimates she spends 60 percent of her time on the road, returning to North Carolina to perform in a faculty brass quintet or as a duo with her husband and also teach a few classes. However, they have no plans to abandon their part-time Southwest Florida residence, where Chrysalis and Seraph Brass grew from dreams into reality.
“We spent so many years being integrated in the Naples community, and we have a lot of dear friends,” she says. “Chrysalis is one of the big reasons for me to come back, so we can create new programs for the community.”