Under the direction of Mike Major

Program

Fortitude March by William Owens

Fortitude is courage during pain or adversity. Mr. Own wrote this march as a tribute to the men and women of our armed forces. William Owens (b. 1963) received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1985 from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. A seasoned music educator, Mr. Owens is active as a composer, conductor, and clinician throughout the United States. Mr. Owens has written numerous commissioned and published works for middle school and high school concert bands. His music has been programmed at prestigious venues such as the Midwest Clinic and appears on required music lists both nationally and abroad. Principal commissions include those from the California Band Directors Association, the Chicago Public Schools Bureau of Cultural Arts, and the Texas University Interscholastic League. He is a winner of the ASCAPlus award and a two-time recipient of the Forrest L. Buchtel Citation for Excellence in Band Composition. Professional memberships include ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, and Texas MEA. Mr. Owens resides in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife Georgia.

Storm Chaser by David Marlatt

Storm chasing is broadly defined as the pursuit of any severe weather condition, regardless of motive, which can be curiosity, adventure, scientific investigation, or for news or media coverage. A person who chases storms is known as a storm chaser, or simply a chaser. While witnessing a tornado is the single biggest objective for most chasers, many chase thunderstorms and delight in viewing cumulonimbus and related cloud structure, watching a barrage of hail and lightning, and seeing what skyscapes unfold. There are also a smaller number of storm chasers who intercept tropical cyclones and waterspouts. It was written as a tribute to the men and women who keep us safe by risking their lives.

The Tempest by Robert W. Smith

The dictionary tells us that a tempest is a “violent windstorm, frequently accompanied by rain, snow, or hail.” In the hands of composer Robert W. Smith, the music supplies all of the fury and rage within the instruments of the band. This work takes us right into the power of Mother Nature. Robert W. Smith (b. 24 October 1958, Daleville, Ala.) is an American composer, conductor, arranger and educator. He attended high school in Daleville, after which he left for Troy State University, where he played lead trumpet in the Sound of the South Marching Band. While at Troy, he studied composition with Dr. Paul Yoder. Upon his graduation from Troy State with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, Smith pursued his musical career in South Florida, where he earned the master's degree in media writing and production from the University of Miami, while studying with Dr. Alfred Reed. Mr. Smith's credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. His Symphony No 1, "The Divine Comedy", Symphony No. 2, "The Odyssey" and Africa: Ceremony and Ritual have received worldwide critical acclaim. His educational compositions such as The Tempest, Encanto, and The Great Locomotive Chase have become standards for developing bands throughout the world. His numerous works for orchestras of all levels are currently some of the most popular repertoire available today. His music has received extensive airplay on major network television as well as inclusion in multiple motion pictures. From professional ensembles such as the United States Navy Band and the Atlanta Symphony to school bands and orchestras throughout the world, his music speaks to audiences in any concert setting. Mr. Smith is currently teaching in the Music Industry program at Troy University in Troy, Ala. His teaching responsibilities are focused in music composition, production, publishing and business. In addition, he is a managing partner and conductor/producer for American Audio Unlimited, an audio production company specializing in recordings for concert band and orchestra.

Personnel

Flute

Lorenzo Garcia

Phoebe Gualito

Oboe

Maci Davis

Clarinet

Erick Rafael Aguilar

Keyla Vazquez

Alto Sax

Diego Tovar Cabrera

Carolina Osorio

Trombone

Oscar Almendares Estrada

Kingston Barker

Euphonium

Jonathan Hernandez

Leandro Sarabia

Juan Vazquez

Awards & Honors

Earned 12 1st Division Medals at the Solo & Ensemble Contest

1 Soloist Earned a 1st Division with Honors

Diego Tovar Cabrera, Alto Sax

Earned a 1st Division at the Ensemble Contest

Outstanding Student Award

Announced at Concert

Special thanks to...

Kayla Crowley

McDonald Band Director

Andrew Pouttu

McDonald Percussion Director

North Mesquite Percussion Students