Successful launch for Dallas Youth Band
Five University of North Texas students are making waves in the North Texas youth ensemble community, spearheading a new initiative in the creation of the Dallas Youth Brass Band. Serving simultaneously on the board of directors and as musicians for the Dallas Brass Band, Danny Brock (President, soprano cornet), Philip Jones (Vice-President, flugelhorn), Sabrina Allard (Secretary, solo horn), Ian Calhoun (Librarian, bass trombone) and their conductor, Grant Jameson have combined their leadership and passion for brass band music to engage and inspire young musicians of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The youth brass band program, launched in mid-November as a weekend clinic and concert, received over 60 applications and generated enough students to form two ensembles: one for middle school students (grades 7-8) and another for high school students. The initiative culminated in a final concert Sunday evening featuring nearly 100 musicians including the Dallas Brass Band itself.
Each youth ensemble performed three to four works during their portion of the concert. The Dallas Brass Band followed with an exhibition of their U.S. Masters competition program and the event concluded with a mass band combining all three ensembles on stage.
"The enthusiasm we witnessed from these students was remarkable," said Danny Brock. "It’s clear there’s a deep well of potential in these young musicians for this genre of music, and we’re committed to fostering that talent further." Danny continues, “We are so deeply thankful to our Dallas Brass Band musician-educators, many of whom come from the University of North Texas, for not only playing in the ensembles, but for volunteering to lead masterclasses and sectionals for these eager young students.”
Grant Jameson adds, “It’s been a dream of mine to start a youth band here knowing the talent we have in these young musicians in DFW. I am very excited at the opportunity to share this music. Music in which many of these students might not have ever known existed prior to this event.”
The board considers the inaugural youth band program a tremendous success and plans to expand its offerings in spring 2025. This project not only highlights the leadership and entrepreneurship of UNT students but also reinforces the Dallas Brass Band’s mission to cultivate a thriving brass band community in North Texas.
Information on the Dallas Brass Band and Dallas Youth Brass Band may be found on their website
Photo: University of North Texas Teaching Fellow, and Dallas Brass Band Co-Principal Euphonium, Scott McLain, works with the young euphonium and baritone players of the Dallas Youth Brass Band
