July 21, 2021
For Immediate Release
The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra (FWYO) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brian Youngblood as Conductor of the FWYO Wind Ensemble, a new experience for the 2021-2022 Season! Mr. Youngblood comes to the FWYO from Texas Christian University, where he currently serves as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music.
"I am thrilled to join the conductors of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra!" said Mr. Youngblood. "I look forward to leading the FWYO Wind Ensemble in its first season and working with the talented student musicians in the group."
The Wind Ensemble, part of the FWYO 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, will launch in November
The virtual audition window for the group will begin on July 28, 2021 and continue until September 19, 2021. Wind Ensemble will rehearse on Sunday afternoons at Orchestra Hall. Financial aid is available for qualified applicants. Those interested in auditioning for the group should visit FWYO.org/audition for more information.
ABOUT BRIAN YOUNGBLOOD
Brian Youngblood is Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Texas Christian University. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Abilene Christian University and his Master of Percussion Performance degree from East Texas State University. Before coming to TCU, he taught in the public schools for 12 years. He began teaching in 1987 and spent his first 10 years teaching at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, and followed with two years as Director of Bands and Fine Arts Director at Brewer High School in White Settlement. In 1999 Mr. Youngblood joined the faculty at TCU. During his time at TCU, he was Director of the TCU Horned Frog Marching Band for two decades. He also led the TCU Symphonic Band to the group’s first selection and performance at a regional College Band Directors National Association Conference. His ensemble responsibilities at TCU include the TCU Symphonic Band, and assistance with the TCU Concert Ensembles and TCU Athletic Bands. In addition to his work with the bands, he teaches music education and music technology classes, and assists with the supervision of student teachers.
Mr. Youngblood is a leading drill designer, arranger and program coordinator for marching bands. He regularly consults with and writes shows for high school and university bands across the nation. His shows have won many state championships, a Bands of America National Championship and placed in the finals of numerous competitions. Mr. Youngblood is a Co-developer for V-Drill Drill Design Software. He is also a managing partner with B&B Design Concepts LLC for the distribution of the software.
Mr. Youngblood is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association, The Texas Bandmasters Association and the College Band Directors National Association. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and the Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity.
Mr. Youngblood is a product of public school music education in the state of Texas. Before playing in the L.D. Bell High School Band under the direction of Roger Winslow, he was in the junior high bands of Marion West, Earnest Repass and Danny Prado. His undergraduate studies with John Whitwell and Gary Lewis, then at Abilene Christian University, furthered his training in Music Education. His percussion training began with Jim McGahey and Warren Dewey and continued with Allen Teal at Abilene Christian University. His percussion professors at East Texas State University were Robert Houston and Jimmy Finney.
Mr. Youngblood is a frequent clinician and adjudicator in Texas and the Southwest. He enjoys working as a clinician with bands from every age level. He is married to Karin Youngblood and they are the parents of Sarah and Joshua Youngblood. The family attends Trinity Bible Church in Weatherford, Texas.