WOODWINDS

The Moores School of Music's Woodwind Chamber Music Area encourages students to explore the realm of music written for all combinations of instruments. The Quintet, Quartet, & Trio literature are emphasized as well as works for mixed areas, such as String, Vocal and Keyboard. Woodwind students have the opportunity to explore both standard and unusual repertoire in the chamber music program. Groups are formed each semester based on the instrumentation available. Previously formed groups are encouraged to enroll together. All students participate in a recital near the close of the semester, and many students also program pieces they have studied on their own recitals. The program also includes the Moores Graduate Woodwind Quintet, composed of exceptional graduate students whose fellowships are based on participation in this group. The Quintet represents the Moores School of Music both on and off campus in a variety of settings and competitions.

Oboist Robin Hough, Coordinator of Woodwind Chamber Music, earned a doctorate in oboe performance from the University of North Texas where he was a student of Charles Veazey. He has also studied with David Serrins, Roger Lord, and Ray Still. His chamber music studies include work with Gervase DePeyer and Geoffrey Gilbert. Formerly principal oboist of the Fort Worth Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, he held the same position with both the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestras for over two decades. He still performs with both orchestras, and Houston Ballet has named him Principal Emeritus. As soloist and an orchestral oboist, he has been heard in Asia, Europe, Africa, and throughout North America. He has recorded both as soloist and with the Houston Grand Opera. As Affiliate Artist in Oboe at the Moores School, Dr. Hough also performs with the Winds of Texas, a faculty woodwind quintet.

Our saxophone quartets are regular finalists at the Fischoff and Coleman Chamber Music Competitions in South Bend, Indiana and Pasadena, California. Last year two quartets made the finals in a competition at New England Conservatory and one of them won their division and subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall. Catalyst was an undergraduate saxophone quartet coached by Karen Wylie, that played together from 1996-1999. During that time they won the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition(South Bend, IN) and the Coleman Chamber Music Competition (Pasadena, CA) in 1998, in 1999 they won 2nd place at The Monterey Bay Chamber Music Competition, Carmel, Ca. In 1997 they were 2nd place at the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. During their years together they performed many recitals and concerts throughout Texas. They are no longer together as they have all graduated and have gone their separate ways.

Iridium was another undergraduate saxophone quartet here at UH. They were named Honorable Mention at the Coleman Chamber Music Competition in the Spring of 2000. They were also 2nd place at the MTNA Chamber Music Competition at the state level.