TCU Wind Ensemble in the Megan and Victor Boschini Music Center
The TCU Wind Ensemble will take center stage at the prestigious 2025 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Conference in San Antonio, the nation’s largest gathering of music educators.
This invitation is considered one of the highest honors for a collegiate wind band, with only three university ensembles selected each year from the state of Texas. The ensemble will be led by Bobby R. Francis, M.M., Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting.
Bobby R. Francis, M.M., Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting.
Under Francis’ leadership since 2000, the ensemble has built a distinguished record, previously earning invitations to perform at TMEA in 2002, 2007, 2014 and 2020. Ensembles must wait at least four years before being eligible to return, making this recurring recognition a testament to the ensemble’s musical excellence.
The ensemble has previously performed at six national and regional conferences, including the College Band Directors National Association, the American Bandmasters Association and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Prague. The ensemble has also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.
“Being a student in the School of Music brings amazing opportunities for our students,” Francis said. “Not only do they get to perform in world-class large ensembles, they get to work with applied lesson teachers and music theory and history faculty members that are the best in the country.”
A Full-Circle Moment
This year’s performance also marks a full-circle moment for Francis. As a high school student, he performed on the TMEA stage in 1977 as a member of the Texas All-State Band, playing “Wind and the Lion” under the direction of the legendary Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, former commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band.
“As a tribute to the importance of the opportunities that TMEA has given me as a student and professional throughout the years, we are excited to perform this concert,” Francis said. “TMEA has almost 50 years of profoundly positive influences in my professional life and career, as well as so many others who have experienced the benefit of TMEA’s significant reach and influence,” Francis said.
The ensemble will begin their performance with “Wind and the Lion” followed by a thoughtfully curated selection of works, celebrating the contributions of students, alumni and faculty, including:
- “Symphony No. 5, Movement III: Presto Vivo” by Jim Stevenson
Guest Conductor: Drew Dickey
Commissioned by the College of Fine Arts and the School of Music, this work honors Professor Bobby Francis and Brian Youngblood, celebrating their combined 50 years of dedicated service to TCU.
- “It is Well with My Soul” by Curt Wilson
Guest Conductor: Brian Youngblood
The arrangement by faculty emeritus Curt Wilson is a tribute to Francis and Youngblood, honoring their long-standing dedication to the university.
- “Departures, Double Concerto – Trombone, piano and Wind Symphony” by Kevin Day
Soloists: Peter Steiner and Costanza Hochwartner
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra commissioned Kevin Day ’19 to compose this double concerto for trombone and piano, and Francis later commissioned a wind ensemble arrangement. The program will feature the same two guest soloists who premiered the piece during the International Trombone Association Convention at TCU.
“This performance is the only opportunity our students will have to play at TMEA during their time here,” Francis said. “Coming off last year’s College Band Directors National Association performance, these are two of the biggest experiences a college musician can have.”
“For some students, it’s their last year before graduation, so having these two years of significant performance opportunities is a great way to end their time as a student in the TCU Band program and the TCU School of Music.”