Find out more about the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Goin' Band, and summer TTUBOC here at the School of Music.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Midwest 2018
From its beginnings in 1925, the Texas Tech University band department has grown to include 5 concert bands, the 400-member Goin' Band and serves the largest number of music majors and non-majors in our School of Music.
Our flagship ensemble, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble has enjoyed an extraordinary year which began with a select invitation to perform for the College Band Directors National Association Southwest conference at the University of Houston in March. We featured Texas Tech connections and performed the world premiere wind transcription of Avner Dorman's Ellef Symphony, beautifully arranged by Dr. Ryan Smith (D.M.A, TTU). We also collaborated with the Mirasol Quartet, 2015 Fischoff gold medal winners and TTU alumni, where we received a rousing standing ovation in a packed Moore's Opera House following our performance of Michael Colgrass' Urban Requiem. We opened our concert with Like an Altar with 9000 Robot Attendants written by Ryan Lindveit, a Brazoswood, TX native, high school attendee at the TTU Band and Orchestra camp, USC graduate and current resident in Yale's doctoral composition program!
We concluded our year with an even higher-profile performance and singular honor for collegiate bands. Each year, one college band is selected through a rigorous application process and blind audition to be selected for performance at the Midwest Clinic held annually in December in Chicago. Our Symphonic Wind Ensemble was chosen as the grand finale concert to close this 73rd Midwest Clinic which attracted 18,000 teachers, composers, performers and industry from all over the world. We toured the Midwest on our way to Chicago, making stops in Oklahoma City, Kansas City and St. Louis. Our guest artists, John Hagstrom, trumpet, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and H. Robert Reynolds, USC principal wind ensemble conductor and Director of Bands emeritus from the University of Michigan, inspired all of us with their unparalleled artistry and commitment to performance and music education. What a day! We were rewarded with a prolonged standing ovation and memories for a lifetime.
(Read some of the feedback the Symphonic Wind Ensemble received at Midwest here!)
In between all of this, we regularly perform on campus and around the community, participate in world premiere consortiums and performances, are engaged in a recording project, and look forward to a spectacular 2019 of passionate music-making and celebrating the magic and talent of incredible young musicians. I do invite you to join us in person or tune in!
- Dr. Sarah McKoin, Director of Bands
Goin' Band
The 2018 Goin' Band from Raiderland experienced an exceptional season! The 400-member ensemble performed six different halftime shows for Red Raider home football games, and performed on the road at NRG Stadium in Houston for the Advocare Kickoff Classic, AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the Texas Shoot-Out, and at TCU for the ESPN Featured Thursday Night Football Game. In all, the 2018 Goin' Band performed for live audiences of approximately 500,000 people, as well as countless fans through live stream and social media channels!
The Goin' Band is known for entertaining fans of all generations and this year was no exception. The Western Show, featuring themes from The Magnificent 7 and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, was a hit at the November 3rd football game against Oklahoma. Our homecoming performance was also popular as it highlighted throwback music from the 1980s including Paradise City, Enter Sandman and Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name. The most talked about show was the Wedding Show in late September that received national attention as the Goin' Band performed the music for the wedding and reception of one of the largest weddings in history during halftime!
The Goin' Band from Raiderland is the largest student organization on the Texas Tech Campus and has been representing Texas Tech University since 1925. The band has been a consistent source of pride for the Red Raider Nation. As we move toward next season, we look forward to welcoming our newest members and continuing the tradition of excellence by representing Texas Tech University with inspirational and exciting performances!
- Dr. Eric Allen, Director of the Goin' Band from Raiderland and Assistant Director of Bands
TTU Band and Orchestra Camp
The Texas Tech Band and Orchestra Camp celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2018 with 575 campers and 115 staff representing over 225 schools. With students from as far away as Saudi Arabia and Alaska, the camp brings together a diverse group of students and instructors for a week of musical enrichment and fun. TTUBOC continues to be the only camp in Texas that combines band, orchestra, jazz, drum major, and twirlers in the same camp for a truly unique experience for everyone involved.
Campers spend the day attending rehearsals, sectionals, and masterclasses as well as elective classes such as Rock Music History and Tango Orchestra. Evenings provide multiple recreation options including pool parties, dances, chamber recitals, and rec field night. The week culminates in a final performance by each of the 7 bands, 3 orchestras, and 2 jazz bands for parents and friends that is also live streamed for those not able to travel to Lubbock.
TTUBOC brings together people from schools and cities all over the state (and the world). The camp offers Texas Tech music students and campers the opportunity to meet, collaborate, enjoy one-on-one instruction, and play in ensembles with the best directors and professionals from Texas and beyond. Students return to their home programs with new friendships, new skills, and a renewed excitement for making music!
- Rebecca Webb, Special Events Coordinator