Kudos to the University of Houston Wind Ensemble

[TubaBobH]

Last Friday I attended my niece's University of Houston graduation ceremony. The ceremony was to begin at 3:00pm. We arrived around 2:20 and were treated to 40 minutes of top tier music, played at a top tier level by the University's Wind Ensemble. I only recognized one piece, Copland's "Appalachian Spring"; however, every piece was of that caliber, and every piece was very well played.

I have lived in Houston for many years, and I am now embarrassed to say that I know very little about the music program at the University, and I had never heard the University's Wind Ensemble until last Friday. I now plan to start attending their concerts whenever possible.

So, if any TubeNet members are affiliated with the U of H music program,I just wanted to let you know how surprised, and how impressed, I was with the caliber of the University's Wind Ensemble. Also, although the ensemble was essentially playing "background music" as we attendees were arriving and finding seats, for the record, at least one of the attendees appreciated, and very much enjoyed, the level of musicianship that was on display.

[TUbajohn20J]

Yeah the UofH wind ensemble is amazing. They have recorded proffesional quality CD's and I also want to go see them perform this year!

[TubaBobH]

TUbajohn20J -

Yeah the UofH wind ensemble is amazing. They have recorded proffesional quality CD's and I also want to go see them perform this year!

You are correct. I went online after I made my initial post to see what I could learn about the UofH Wind Ensemble. Pretty impressive credentials. They have recorded twelve compact discs, including four recorded after being selected by the International Percy Grainger Society to record Grainger's works in a four-volume series. One of their recordings was chosen a compact disc of the year by Sterophile Magazine, and two others were nominated for Grammy awards: Volume IV of the Grainger series, and their recording of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" — the first college wind ensemble recording to be honored with a Grammy nomination.

There is a sampling of some of their records on their website: http://www.music.uh.edu/bands/windensemble.html

Again, I have lived in Houston 20 years...Shame on me for not knowing what an accomplished Wind Ensemble we have in our city.