About Us
The Peg-City Brass 5tet is a Winnipeg-based chamber music ensemble dedicated to sharing the energy and artistry of brass music across Manitoba. With a passion for both performance and education, the group aims to engage Manitoban audiences through concerts, workshops, and outreach programs, making quality brass chamber music more accessible while at the same time trying to inspire and guide the next generation of musicians.
The quintet features trumpetists Justine Auger and Daniel Lehmann, hornist Rachel Côté, trombonist Eric Prodger, and tubist Justin Hickmott. Collectively, they bring performance experience from leading orchestras across Canada, both as members and substitute musicians, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
They have studied at institutions such as Indiana University, McGill University, Northwestern University, the New England Conservatory, the University of Manitoba, and the Glenn Gould School, and have performed at festivals like Tanglewood, l’Orchestre de la Francophonie, the National Academy Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
Formed from a shared love of chamber music, The Peg-City Brass 5tet believes in the power of music to connect, educate, and inspire. The group is committed to reaching audiences beyond traditional concert halls, bringing brass music to schools, small communities, and new listeners.
With Winnipeg’s strong Francophone presence, the group proudly incorporates French into its programming, thanks to Québec-born members Rachel Côté and Eric Prodger. Their bilingualism allows the ensemble to engage more deeply with French-speaking audiences and offer educational programs in both official languages.
Dedicated to both artistic excellence and community engagement, The Peg-City Brass 5tet fills an important niche in Winnipeg’s music scene. Whether through masterclasses, side-by-side performances, or interactive workshops, they aim to make brass playing more exciting and accessible while ensuring that brass chamber music remains a vibrant part of Manitoba’s musical culture.