Volker Brass is the graduate fellowship brass quintet in residence at the UMKC Conservatory. Founded in 2008, the ensemble is composed of graduate students in pursuit of a career in the performing arts. Volker Brass performs recitals and masterclasses throughout the year while also preparing for competitions and tours. The ensemble has performed in masterclasses with Mirari Brass, the Center City Brass Quintet, Øystein Baadsvik, and Michael Stern of the Kansas City Symphony. Community involvement is very important to the quintet; each year the group visits local schools to perform and work with students. Additionally, in March of 2019 Volker Brass conducted an outreach tour at several schools near Des Moines, IA. The ensemble also regularly performs at various functions and meetings on the UMKC campus and throughout the Kansas City area. Members of Volker Brass have played with various symphony orchestras and brass quintets prior to joining the ensemble, and are always freelancing in the greater Kansas City area. In May 2019, Volker Brass was a Senior Winds and Brass Semifinalist and the recipient of the American Brass Quintet Prize for Outstanding Brass Ensemble at the Fischoff Competition. Volker Brass is coached by UMKC Associate Professor of Euphonium and Tuba, Tom Stein.