The University of Wyoming Department of Music announced on Apr. 24 that the inaugural UWYO Honor Band will perform its first concert Saturday, May 2, at 5 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall.
The event is free and open to the public, serving as the conclusion of the first UWYO Band Summit—a three-day gathering designed for select high school musicians from ninth through twelfth grades across the region. The summit aims to foster student connections and artistic growth by focusing on nature-inspired themes and personal development under UW Director of Bands Matthew Schlomer.
During their time at the summit, students participate in intensive masterclasses and sectionals led by world-class artists and faculty from UW. The upcoming concert will showcase their work with a program featuring both contemporary and classic wind band pieces. Potential selections include “Fanfare for the Third Planet” by Richard Saucedo, “Halcyon Hearts” by Katahj Copley, “BRAWL” by Kimberly Osberg, “With Love and Grace” by Nicole Piunno, “Fortress” by Frank Ticheli, and James Swearingen’s “Exaltation.”
Esteemed guest conductor Scott Teeple leads this year’s honor band as both conductor and clinician. Teeple is a professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he directs bands and teaches graduate conducting courses; he is recognized nationally as a clinician and guest conductor.
The broader UWYO Band Summit offers three tracks: participation in the Honor Band itself; Instrument Intensives—a one-day program with expert-led masterclasses covering instruments such as oboe, horn, tuba, clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone/euphonium, trumpet, and percussion; plus a professional development track called the Band Director Institute led by Schlomer along with Joseph Carver (Associate Director) and Robert Belser (former director). This institute focuses on conducting skills for educators.
Students selected for this immersive experience also take part in campus activities designed to provide insight into university life while advancing their musical skills.
