When junior Sammy Eastwood was called to audition to play trumpet for a completely student-run brass band three years ago, he was shocked.
In 2023, the Half Brassed Brass Band had just been established by Rockbridge County now-alumnus James Baker, and Eastwood says that “since then, the band has changed shape and character…but has always been a fun and awesome experience [to play in].”
Even with Baker now off at college, the band has seen significant growth in the last two years. Half Brassed now has six members, including sophomores and juniors, all of whom play different instruments: Eastwood on trumpet, junior Edison Rahl with the alto saxophone, junior Calvin Clark on trombone, junior Alex Hartman plays the drums, and sophomores Graham Shester and Maddie David play tenor and baritone saxophone, respectively.
The band’s publicity is growing fast, too. Their first official single, “Contraband,” featuring their founder, James Baker, was released on Oct. 30 on major music streaming platforms.
“[Contraband] was our first original song and probably the song we play the most when busking, so it definitely felt like the right choice for our first song to release,” Rahl said.
“Contraband,” which was written for the 2023 Prowler Talent Show by Baker, is a popular choice for the band while playing on the streets of Charlottesville and Lexington for donations, which is called busking.
On Spotify, the band has attracted over 50 followers, and the single has been streamed hundreds of times since its release.
Half Brassed isn’t stopping there. The band has also just released a Christmas EP Dec. 1 with three arranged jazz Christmas songs, including “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Christmas Time is Here.” The EP features private music teacher Tom Artwick on flute and RCHS junior Tristan Ripani on guitar.
Most recently, the band placed 2nd in the 2025 Prowler “Great Catsby” Talent Show and won the Peoples’ Choice Award in the show as well. This is the third consecutive time that the band has placed on the podium since their establishment.
Between busking and important performances, Half Brassed can be found practicing every Monday morning in the auditorium, often sharpening their skills with arranged jazz pieces, original songs, and solos by each of the band members.
Playing in the band means a lot to its members, all of whom said that the group was a consistent source of fun and important practice. Rahl, who has been a member for a year, remarked on the joy of making music with others who enjoyed it just as much as he did.
“Music is one of the most important things in my life, so I’m very grateful to have a group to play with every week and to perform with,” Rahl said.
Check out “Contraband” and their new Christmas EP here on Spotify and here on Apple Music. Their work can also be found on other major music streaming platforms.
You can also follow them on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.
