The TCU Wind Symphony, conducted by Bobby Francis, will present four world premieres.
The TCU School of Music is proud to host the 2025 College Band Director’s National Association Conference, organized by Bobby Francis, director of bands and professor of conducting. This prestigious conference is one of the premier national performance invitations for collegiate wind bands.
Founded in 1941 with just 40 members, the association has grown to over 700 active members, all dedicated to the teaching, performance, study and advancement of music, with a particular emphasis on the wind band medium.
From March 26–29, the conference will showcase performances from collegiate wind bands from across the country, along with research presentations from leading conductors, musicians and educators.
“The College Band Director’s National Association is the only professional organization dedicated to this artistic medium,” explained Francis. “The conference serves as an event that showcases new and exciting music as well as paying tribute to repertoire that has stood the test of time. We are honored to be hosting this prestigious event. College conductors from all over the country and other parts of the world will be joining us. They are very excited about being in Fort Worth, on campus and hearing great music in the beautiful Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU.”
On the evening of March 28, the TCU Wind Symphony, conducted by Francis, will present four world premieres, including:
- “Symphony No. 6” by Quinn Mason, commissioned by the Big XII Band Director Association
- “Symphony No. 5” by James Stephenson
- “Coping Cadences” by Shuying Li
- “And Music Echoes Eternal Tones” by Joseph Turrin
The piece “And Music Echoes Eternal Tones” is dedicated to the organization’s president, who unfortunately passed away last year before he could experience the convention he had started planning.
The piece “Coping Cadences” will also feature several guest artists from the School of Music faculty, including:
- Heather Test, horn
- Allen Cordingley, soprano saxophone
- Corey Mackey, clarinet
- Juliette Herlin, cello
- Haerim Lee, violin
- Brian West, marimba
The Ensemble Concert Series: TCU Wind Symphony is free and open to the public.