Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • June 2014
6
The Texas Bandmasters Association is extremely
pleased to spotlight two bright and shining stars of the
FJH Music Company. Award-winning composer Brian
Balmages will offer a comprehensive clinic session
showcasing several of his works while the music of
William Owens,
the
2014
TBA Featured
Composer, will
be presented
in concert. We
warmly welcome
the Mansfield
(TX) Wind
S y m p h o n y ,
which will
serve as the
performing and
demonstrat ing
ensemble for
these sessions.
Ad d i t i o n a l l y,
Owens will offer
a clinic session
Tips for the
S i ght -Reading
Room
from
the Composers
Perspective, where thoughts and insights from an
observational standpoint will be shared.
Brian Balmages
is a widely acclaimed composer,
conductor, producer and performer. His compositions
are widely performed domestically and internationally.
Brian enjoys engagements with numerous all-state and
regional ensembles as well as university and professional
groups. He has also served as an adjunct professor
of instrumental conducting and Acting Symphonic
Band Director at Towson University in Maryland.
Mr. Balmages serves as the Director of Instrumental
Publications with the FJH Music Company in Fort
Lauderdale, Fl. He resides in Baltimore with his wife
Lisa and their two sons.
A seasoned music educator with a career spanning
three decades,
William Owens
is very active as a
conductor and clinician throughout the United States
and Canada. His compositions for young ensembles
display a practical, erudite approach which has firmly
established him as a leader in the field. With over 200
published works to his credit, William enjoys and
maintains a busy commission schedule. Several of his
works including The Blue Orchid and Maesong have
been recorded and analyzed in educational text by
the GIA series Teaching Music through Performance
in Band. Owens serves as the Editorial Assistant
for Instrumental Publications with the FJH Music
Company (FL) and is the conductor/music director
of the Mansfield Wind Symphony. He resides in Fort
Worth with his wife and best friend, Georgia.
The
Mansfield Wind Symphony
was founded
in 2003 by Bill Myers and John H. Julian. Mr. Julian
served as the first Conductor/Music Director from
2003-2010. Mr. Myers, who served as President and
Event Coordinator from 2003-10, remains active
with the organization as a euphonium player. The
MWS rehearses on a weekly basis and performs
quarterly during the academic year. An all-volunteer
organization, the Mansfield Wind Symphony performs
a wide variety of wind band literature in the DFW area
for people of all ages and backgrounds at free or low-
cost performance venues.
The Music of Wi l l iam Owens,
2014 TBA Featured Composer,
wi l l be performed by the
Mansf ield Wind Symphony on
Sunday, July 27 at 3:30 p.m.
The Music of Brian Balmages
wi l l be performed by the
Mansfield Wind Symphony on
Sunday, July 27 at 4:45 p.m.
n n n
Mr. Balmages wi l l present
“No More Limitations!
Composing and Choosing Band
Music for Al l Levels” on
Tuesday, July 29 5: 15 p.m.
Wi l l iam Owens wi l l present
“Tips for the Sight-Reading
Room from the
Composer’s Perspective”
Monday, July 28 at 5: 15 p.m.
Spot l ight on Composers
Wi l l iam Owens, 2014 TBA Featured Composer