Members of MTSU's brass ensembles perform at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro. The third annual Pistons and Pipes Series returns to FUMC Oct. 24 for a free public concert. (MTSU photo)

Autumn is perfect for mellow brass music, and Monday, Oct. 24, is the perfect night for a free public concert to launch the Pistons and Pipes Series’ third year.

The series, which is part of a joint venture of the MTSU School of Music and Murfreesboro’s First United Methodist Church, will begin the first performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at FUMC, located at 265 W. Thompson Lane.

The evening’s program includes the “Liturgical Fanfares” of Henri Tomasi; “Fire Dance” by Anthony DiLorenzo; “Symphony for Brass” by Eric Ewazen; “Quintet for Brass” by Malcolm Arnold; “Como Poden per sas culpas” for solo trumpets, arranged by Phil Snedicor; and the “Suite Gothique,” by Leon Boellmann, for solo organ.

“It is a program full of exciting works for brass that will intrigue and astound audience members of all ages,” said Dr. Michael Arndt, MTSU professor of trumpet and one of the organizers of the concert series.

Concert performers will include the MTSU Symphonic Brass Ensemble, MTSU Faculty Brass Quintet and MTSU Graduate Brass Quintet, as well as Sandy Arndt, an MTSU music faculty member and FUMC organist.

Michael Arndt, who is married to Sandy Arndt, said the series consists of two to three concerts each year featuring MTSU student and faculty chamber groups and, on occasion, the FUMC choir.

“The students sound absolutely amazing. Please join us for an evening of wonderful music,” Michael Arndt said, adding that donations to help support future programs will be welcome.

For more information about the Pistons and Pipes Series, please contact Michael Arndt at michael.arndt@mtsu.edu or Tim Musselman at 615-898-2493 or tmusselm@mtsu.edu. For MTSU School of Music concert information anytime, visit www.mtsumusic.com and click on the “Concert Calendar” link.