A Touch of Brass was first formed in 1976 by current members Geoff Leader and David Sabourin. During its first year, the original members studied at the Banff Center with members of the Canadian Brass, then began performing in the Vancouver area. In 1977, the quintet won first place in the Canadian Music Competition (the national Kiwanis festival) in Toronto . At this point the ensemble changed membership as some players stayed in Toronto to further their studies. In 1978, the quintet was hired by the Courtenay Youth Music Centre where the ensemble began to develop its repertoire and concert style by arranging and commissioning music unique to Touch of Brass.

From 1979 to 1988, A Touch of Brass began touring throughout BC and Canada performing over 100 concerts a year, culminating in a world tour of Russia, England, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and India . This version of the quintet stayed together until 1989 at which time several members went on to other careers (that didn't involve travel!).

In 1996, Geoff and David joined with Tom, Jim and Jeremy to form the quintet as we know it today. All of the members perform with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, the Abbotsford Symphony and are active as music educators for organizations such as Kwantlen College , UBC, the Vancouver Academy of Music and Surrey School District.

The members of A Touch of Brass are:

Tom Shorthouse Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet, Piccolo Trumpet
Jim Littleford Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet, Piccolo Trumpet
Geoffrey Leader French Horn
Jeremy Berkman Trombone, Euphonium
David Sabourin Tuba