The Houston Brass Band (HBB) was formed in 2000 by several brass music enthusiasts, inspired by the British film Brassed Off. Damon Hilsmeier, a music educator in Pasadena ISD, led the band as conductor in those early years. The Band performed at festivals, concerts, and patriotic events, including the annual Pearl Harbor Memorial on the deck of the Battleship Texas. The Band grew, and with it the group’s scope and outreach; The Houston Brass Band incorporated as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation in 2004.
In 2006 Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet of the Houston Symphony, took the helm as Music Director--a position he held for just over 13 years. Under his direction, the Band grew meteorically, evolving from a small community group into the esteemed organization you see and hear today. Chris Lewis, former conductor of the City of Coventry Brass Band, worked with the Band from 2008 to 2011 as Assistant Conductor; he brought a wealth of knowledge and experience from the UK brass band movement. Through the years the Band benefited from many guest conductors, including Philip Wilby, Jessie Clevenger (Assistant Principal Horn--Houston Symphony), Rick Spitz, Thomas Holton, and Morten Wensberg (Professor of Conducting–University of Stavanger, Norway).
Since 2007, the Band has partnered with the Houston Saengerbund (locally promoting Bavarian music and culture since 1883), for free-to-the-public Oktoberfest performances in Rice Village. In 2010, the Band performed to a packed house at Zilkha Hall in the Hobby Center, Houston. The Zilkha Hall performance set a new standard for future concerts. The Band performed at Jones Hall in 2013, as part of the Houston Symphony's Centennial Celebration
Day of Music, and at The Round Top Institute’s prestigious Festival Hill in 2018.
Following Robert Walp's departure in 2020, the Band appointed its Principal Trombone, Ryan Rongone, as Interim Music Director. Ryan provided much-needed leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and helping the Band produce its first online concert,
O Christmas Stream, and the
HBB Online Series during the first half of 2021. As in-person concerts resume in 2021, the Houston Bass Band eagerly looks forward to once again sharing high-quality music with the people of Houston.
Music Collaborations The Band has been fortunate to work with several composers and arrangers, including Paul Wright (Faculty of the American School of Music Qatar) and Dr. Bill Brusick (Trinity Klein Lutheran Church's Minister of Music). The Band has recently premiered several new works, including
Albert and the Lion (Wright) and
Lil Audrey (Brusick). Together, they have arranged and composed over 30 pieces for the Band.
RecordingsIn 2011, the Band released its first album, One, and performed in Conroe, Richardson, and Waco, Texas, as part of its first tour. The Band’s second album is due for release in the Fall of 2021, and features Houston Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet John Parker performing Paul Wright's arrangement of Böhme’s
Concerto for Trumpet.
Youth Outreach Programs Music education is paramount to the Band's mission and success. Over fifty percent of HBB membership consists of music educators and private instructors. In 2012, the Band held its first summer
BOB (Brass-Only Band) Camp. The Band’s many talented educators teach student musicians in grades 8 through 12 at this annual event, for which scholarships are provided for deserving young musicians.
In March of 2015, the HBB instituted an annual
Young Brass Soloist Competition where young musicians have the opportunity to perform for a panel of prominent musicians, all principals of the Houston Symphony's brass section: Principal Trumpet Mark Hughes, Principal Horn William VerMeulen, Principal Trombone Allen Barnhill, and Principal Tuba David Kirk.
A
Houston Youth Brass Band is in the works, hopefully debuting in early 2022.
Since 2000, the Houston Brass Band has established itself as one of the premier brass groups in Houston, Texas. Our mission is to:
- Broadly share the unique British brass band style and sound,
- Provide our audience with inspiring, engaging, and entertaining performances of the highest musical and artistic quality,
- Educate and inspire young musicians through outreach programs and performance opportunities, and
- Support diversity and inclusiveness in music and the arts.
