McLin S. (Skip) Choate, trumpet, graduated from East Carolina University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music degree. After teaching band in Powhatan County, Virginia for two years, Skip moved to the Chesterfield County, Virginia school system where he continues to teach instrumental music. Besides teaching music, Skip remains an active performer as a member of the Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums (piper), as a trumpet substitute with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra and as a founding member of Festival Brass. Skip and his wife, Meg Burley, a flutist, have a 14-years-old daughter named Colleen and a 8-year-old son named Simon.
Thomas L. Brewer Jr, trumpet, graduated from Stetson University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. While at Stetson University Thomas played in the University Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Trumpet Choir, and two brass quintets. Thomas also spent one Christmas vacation as a collegiate musician in the collegiate brass quintet that performed in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World - Orlando, FL. After graduating from Stetson he married his high school sweetheart (Lisa) and moved to Richmond, VA. For his first 4 years in Virginia Thomas taught music in a variety of settings and school districts. Thomas and Lisa are currently starting a business together that provides web design, graphic design, and technology services to businesses and consumers. Thomas still plays in a large number of community ensembles such as the Virginia Commonwealth Winds, Richmond Pops Band, Northern Neck Orchestra, The Happy Musicians German Band, Festival Brass.
Elizabeth A. (Beth) Miksovic, horn, graduated from James Madison University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Management. Beth is currently employed as an IT Project Manager at Capital One. Beth remains an active performing musician with the Richmond Symphonic Winds, the Richmond Brass Consort and various churches around Richmond. Beth and her husband Dave Davis are founding members of Festival Brass and they have expanded their duo to a trio with daughter Ellie.
Robert (Bob) Ellithorpe, trombone, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Music Education. Bob also has a Master of Music from the University of Richmond. Bob is currently retired from Hanover County Public Schools where he taught music for 33 years. Bob also played with the Richmond Symphony for 18 years. Currently, he is the Band Director of G.W. Music, an Adjunct Instructor at VCU and the Director of the VCU Middle School Honors Band. Bob and his wife Sally have two children, a son Daniel and daughter Katherine.
David L. (Dave) Davis, trombone, graduated from The College of William & Mary in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (Music minor), and from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004 with a Master of Environmental Studies degree in Environmental Policy & Administration. He is currently the director of the Office of Wetlands & Water Protection for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Originally from Chincoteague Island, Virginia, Dave performs with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra, the European Wind Ensemble, Die Elbemusikanten (a traditional Bavarian-style German band), and he is a founding member of Festival Brass. Dave is the current business manager for Festival Brass and occasionally substitutes with us, but he is now answering the “But, why, Daddy?” questions from his and Beth’s daughter, Ellie, during Festival Brass rehearsal times.
David L. Simmons, tuba, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Tuba Performance. Originally from Mount Airy, North Carolina, David formerly performed with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra and the Richmond Concert Band. David is a deputy sheriff with over twenty years of service in Henrico County, Virginia. David and his wife, Pam, have a teenage daughter named Katie and a nine-year-old son named Ryan. David is very excited that Katie has begun to pursue french horn performance.