Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Rowan.
Darren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Houston Brass Band (HBB) was formed in 2000 by several brass enthusiasts inspired by the British film “Brassed Off”. In the early years, HBB performed at festivals, small concerts, and patriotic events. As HBB’s musicianship grew so did the group’s scope and reach including performances at: Jones Hall, Zilkha Hall, Houston Arboretum, Festival Hill, MATCH Theater, POST Houston, Downtown Houston Library, and the Texas Bandmasters Association in San Antonio. In the 2021 Whit Friday competition, HBB placed 3rd in the First Section.
In 2022 Dr. Rick Spitz was appointed music director and is fulfilling HBB’s mission to share the unique British brass band style and sound through inspiring, engaging, and entertaining performances. Prior leadership includes Damon Hilsmeir (2000-2005), Robert Walp (2006-2020) and Ryan Rongone (2021). Youth outreach is also an important part of the Band’s mission. In 2015 HBB began the annual Young Brass Soloist Competition where young musician perform for a panel of prominent musicians.
Our 2025/2026 season is a very special year for us as we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary year. As you can guess, we have some very special concerts planned.
The Houston Brass Band is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Over the years, the Band has gone from strength to strength, but like many arts organizations, we faced significant funding hurdles when concert revenue dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regrettably, our Youth Program bore the brunt of these challenges.
Our full Youth Program includes our popular Young Brass Soloist Competition (now celebrating its 10th year!), the annual Youth Brass Band Camp, and the Youth Brass Band. While we proudly sustained the Solo Competition, we were forced to significantly scale back the Band Camp and the Youth Brass Band.
We’re thrilled to announce that the tide is turning! Thanks to the incredible support of recent grants from the Houston Arts Alliance, The Cullen Foundation, and the Mary Louise Dobson Foundation, along with our dedicated partner sponsors, Goodwoods British Market and Fleming Musical Instruments, we are not only expanding our School Masterclass sessions across Houston but are also reinstating the Youth Brass Band Camp next June.
In addition, we were honored to appoint Russell Gray as our Executive Director of our Youth Programs. Russell Gray is considered to be the leading Conductor for Brass Bands in the UK and Europe and an outstanding Cornet Soloist. He has recently been hired by the Minnesota Pops Symphony here in the US and has developed music educational practices that have been adopted by Brass Bans around the world. He is an amazing addition to our group to further expand and develop our Youth Outreach programs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our 25th Anniversary Season: A Season Not to Be Missed!
The Band is thrilled to announce its 2025/2026 season, which marks our monumental 25th Anniversary. We have planned a series of special events and premieres to celebrate this milestone!
A Historic Collaboration: The Crossings Premier
In celebration of the 200-year anniversary of the first Norwegian landing in the US, the Band will join forces with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra and its esteemed Norwegian Music Director, Trond Saeverud. The concert, held on November 23rd at The 1894 Grand Opera House, will feature the highly anticipated world premiere of a specially commissioned piece: “The Crossings.”
A Holiday Tradition Returns: The Snowman Live
Thanks to the generous support of the Houston Arts Alliance, we are delighted to once again return to the Houston Public Library on December 13th. We will perform the enchanting soundtrack live to the beloved children’s animated movie, “The Snowman.”
The 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert
Our concert in the long-running Moseley Memorial Music Series will be the centerpiece of our anniversary celebration. This special performance will feature guest appearances by past conductors and beloved previous band members. Adding to the excitement, we will premiere a specially commissioned march written for the occasion by the talented Dr. William Brusick, Minister of Music at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church.
Mark your calendars—it’s going to be an unforgettable season!
What are your plans for the future?
The Return of the Youth Band Camp
We are pleased to announce the full reinstatement of our annual Youth Brass Band Camp for next June. The decision to temporarily reduce the scope of this program was difficult, and its return represents a significant step forward for the Band and our youth initiatives. The Youth Band Camp provides a unique, dedicated environment for young musicians to focus intensely on their skills and repertoire as an ensemble.
This camp is invaluable because it offers specialized instruction from professional brass players and allows students to engage with challenging music in a collaborative setting. It’s an essential part of their growth as musicians and often inspires a deeper, lasting commitment to music performance. We look forward to once again offering this intensive program that fosters technical development, teamwork, and confidence for the next generation of Houston’s brass players.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houstonbrassband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HoustonBrassBand
