The Texas Brass Festival has officially cemented itself as a must-attend event for brass musicians and enthusiasts alike! Hosted at the Carroll Performing Arts Center in Southlake, Texas, this year’s festival was an overwhelming success, bringing together top-tier brass bands, soloists, and vendors for a day filled with exceptional music, camaraderie, and friendly competition.
A Showcase of Talent
Nine bands from Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas competed in the 3rd annual Texas Brass Festival—five more than in 2024—demonstrating the growing excitement surrounding this event. The competing bands included:
- Austin Brass Band
- Dallas Brass Band
- Frontier Brass Band
- Houston Brass Band
- Natural State Brass Band
- San Antonio Brass Band
- Tulsa Brass Band
- Dallas Youth Brass Band (HS)
- Dallas Youth Brass Band (MS)
Festival Competition Results:
Bell’s Best March Contest:
- Winner: Dallas Brass Band – O.R.B. / C. Anderson (arr. T. Cresswell)
- Runner-Up: Frontier Brass Band – Knight Templar / G. Allan
Houghton’s Slow Melody Contest:
- Winner: Dallas Brass Band – Remointze / L. Neurohr
- Runner-Up: Frontier Brass Band – Light of the World / J.D. Goffin
Recognizing Outstanding Musicians
Our NABBA judges, Amanda Drinkwater, David Childs, and Suzanne Dell, and Tony Granados would like to recognize the following outstanding soloists and sections from each band:
Austin Brass Band
- Principal Cornet – Brian M. Carr
- Flugelhorn – Allison Morris
- Percussionist – Conor Nolan
Frontier Brass Band
- Principal Cornet – Ryan Sharp
- Flugelhorn – Jared VanVickle
- Solo Eb Horn – Sara Riester
- Principal Euphonium – Candice Neel
Houston Brass Band
- Flugelhorn – Jason Browne
- Solo Eb Horn – Dayne Delahoussaye
Tulsa Brass Band
- Principal Cornet – Scott Williams
- Principal Euphonium – Christopher Rondeau
San Antonio Brass Band
- Soprano Cornet – Erick Matta
- Principal Cornet – Erin Thomas
- Principal Euphonium – John Caputo
- Percussion Section – Berry McWhorter, Evan Jose, and Daniel DeSalles
Natural State Brass Band
- Principal Cornet – Courtney Swindler
- Solo Eb Horn – Robert Herring
- Principal Euphonium – Jamie Lipton
Dallas Brass Band
- Soprano Cornet – Danny Brock
- Principal Cornet – Matt Harper
- Principal Euphonium – Scott McLain
- Percussion – Bryan He
Dallas Youth Brass Band – Middle School
- Gavin Ventura – Euphonium
- Shawn Dorff – Flugelhorn
Dallas Youth Brass Band – High School
- Eli Everett – Percussion
More Than Just a Competition
Beyond the thrilling performances, the Texas Brass Festival was a true celebration of the brass band tradition. Vendors offered a variety of instruments, accessories, and music, providing attendees with unique opportunities to explore the latest in brass innovation. Most notably, Guest Conductor Michael Garasi led nearly 60 youth brass musicians through an educational workshop on brass banding concluding with a fabulous performance.
The festival was also a time for connection—bands mingled, shared experiences, and strengthened the sense of community that makes the brass band world so special. With attendees from Texas and neighboring states, the event successfully fostered a growing network of musicians dedicated to the art of brass performance.
Looking Ahead
With such a resounding success this year, the Texas Brass Festival continues to build momentum as a premier brass event in the region. Plans are already underway for an even bigger and better festival next year, promising more outstanding performances, educational opportunities, and chances to celebrate the vibrant brass band culture. Keep your eyes on the Texas Brass Festival Website for updates on next year’s festival date!
A heartfelt thank you to all the bands, soloists, adjudicators, vendors, and volunteers who made this festival possible. Your passion and dedication to brass music ensure that events like these thrive and inspire the next generation of musicians.
Until next year, let the music ring!