Brent Booher started out his music career like many musicians before him: Playing in a college band and teaching private lessons.
However, in the many years since he finished college, Booher has expanded his repertoire beyond merely the call of teaching. He shares his musical gifts with Polk County through a variety of cultural outlets.
"I started playing brass instruments in seventh grade and continued through high school," says Booher, who lives in Winter Haven. "I played the trumpet and the French horn."
After graduating from Haines City High School, Booher enrolled in Polk Community College, where he met his wife. They soon had a baby and Booher took five years off from his musical ambitions.
"I picked it back up about five years later when I started teaching private lessons," he says. "I was approached by a former teacher of mine. He says he was getting ready to retire from teaching private lessons at Carlton Music Center and he thought I could do a good job teaching lessons in the store."
Now, nearly 20 years later, Booher continues to teach students of all ages.
"I teach people from age 8 to age 65," he says. "Anyone can learn to play an instrument."
Booher says that when he came on board at Carlton's, he quickly became saturated in the music industry.
"It was what I'd always wanted to do," he says. "My jobs grew and included being the orchestra director and jazz band director at the Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland."
At Carpenter's Home, Booher says he had the opportunity to meet and perform with a variety of musicians and conduct musicals.
"I've also had the chance to record with some local recording artists," Booher says. "That has been great experiences."
Some of the other notable involvements Booher has entail him working with local cultural organizations.
He is a member of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra and is a longtime musician with Theatre Winter Haven, often providing musical accompaniment for the variety of productions and performances.
"It's really enjoyable to play at the theater, because you can see the people onstage and in the audience getting involved in the show," he says. "They all just forget their problems. It's inspirational to work with other performers like that. It's rewarding to know you're doing a good job and pleasing people with your performance."
Booher also has the opportunity to please people with his performances with the Brass Heart Band, a group he founded two years ago.
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Brent Booher gives private brass instrument lessons at Carlton Music Center in Winter Haven. He also works at the music store as a road representative, traveling to schools and events with instruments and supplies.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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"Having my own band was one of my goals," he says of his decision to found the Brass Heart Band. "I really decided it was time to do it when my son asked me, 'Dad, when are you going to start your band so we can play together?' That's what did it and got it started."
Booher's son, Jacob, is following in the father's footsteps. He currently is a junior at Winter Haven High School and is the leader for the trumpet section of the school's band.
Booher's wife, Mary, also performs with the Brass Heart Band, playing flute, alto and tenor saxaphone.
Brass Heart Band plays a variety of styles and Booher is proud of his group's versatility.
"We are a large variety band," he says. "We've played big band-style music to songs by Gwen Stefani, everything from 'Mustang Sally' to 'Brick House.' We play good party music."
Playing venues from weddings to street parties, Booher says his group has to be versatile.
"I describe us as something between the styles of Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire," he says.
Booher says he is proud to be involved in the arts culture of East Polk County.
"I think there's a growing arts culture here," he says. "There's a good, strong and growing platform for the arts in Polk County."
While Booher says he loves to perform, he also enjoys passing on that thrill of music to the students he teaches.
