Loading...
Youth Brass Academy of Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
About
The Youth Brass Academy of Huntsville was formed in January of 2024 as a dream of Paul F. Zubrod, Sr. who founded the Brass Band of Huntsville and also wanted a youth educational program. Unfortunately, he had passed before his dream was realized. The mission of the Youth Brass Academy of Huntsville is to serve as a catalyst to inspire musical excellence in young Huntsville area musicians through study, practice, and community; to foster a lifelong love of music; and to instill skills supporting success beyond high school graduation. The YBAoH is comprised of students hailing from eight different high and middle schools within the Huntsville metro area.
Musical Director
Zac Rohner
After growing up in Rome, GA, Zac attended Jacksonville State University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Instrumental Music Education K-12. While at JSU he participated in The Marching Southerners, Chamber Winds, Gadsden Symphony Orchestra. He is presently employed by Huntsville City Schools as Director of Bands at Whitesburg Middle School. In addition to playing tenor horn with the Brass Band of Huntsville, he is a freelance high brass musician. By being the Music Director of the Youth Brass Academy of Huntsville, he stated that his professional growth has excelled, especially how to better pace your rehearsal, teaching high level band literature with very limited rehearsal time. He has gained invaluable memories with the musically accomplished students who love the music making process. Currently he lives in Huntsville with his dog, Cooper.
Choice Program
Vengeance
Jared McCunnie
Program Notes
Written by Jared McCunnie, Vengeance is a through composed test work, exploring the inevitable destructive nature of acts of revenge. The work is loosely inspired by the tale of the Trung Sisters in Vietnam around 40 AD. This tale opens with heartbreak; the Chinese governor overseeing his country's occupation of Vietnam orders the death of Thi Sach, a Vietnamese local complaining about increased tax rates. However, Thi Sach's wife, Trung Trac and her sister, Trung Nhi, came together and raised a rebellion army of 80,000 Vietnamese fighters. Together, the Trung Sisters drove out the Chinese forces, reclaiming their country. Vietnam enjoyed three years of peace and freedom from Chinese rule, as Trung Trac becomes the queen of Northern Vietnam. However, acts of revenge are never quite so simple, and about 43 AD, Chinese General Ma Yuan returned to Vietnam with the full strength of China's finest army. The Trung Sisters and their army fought bravely, but they were no match for the full force of the Chinese empire. The Trung Sisters were ultimately killed and many of their supporters were executed.