Science Café – Music: The Science Behind the Art

Join us Friday, August 30 at 7:00 PM in BASF Planetarium for a Science Café presentation, Music: The Science Behind the Art, with speaker Brian Casey, conductor of the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra.

 

Attendees will learn about the physical (outside-the-body) aspects of acoustical physics AND the internal (psychological, physiological, neurological) aspects of practice and performance.

 

Enjoy an evening of socialization, desserts, refreshments and amazing science. This event is open to ages 21+. Registration is $15.

REGISTER NOW!

“Jazz Meets Classical: Featuring Robert Walzel” concert featured in The Facts

The Facts featured Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s Jazz Meets Classical: Featuring Robert Walzel in today’s (4/1) paper in advance of the upcoming concert, scheduled for Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 PM at The Clarion.

BSO president Paula Matzke talked about the concert’s special guests (and former Lake Jackson residents) Walzel and Jill Wagner Stewart, as well as the contribution of Ryan Lindveit, who composed an original piece featuring the melodies composed by the 2022 Young Melody winners. This year’s winners are three young ladies from local elementary and intermediate schools: Evalyn Pearson, Dianaly Torres and Susanne Espinoza.

Read the story online at The Facts and THEN purchase your tickets to the concert!

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra to share stage with 2022 Young Melody winners

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert, “Jazz Meets Classical: Featuring Robert Walzel”, scheduled for Saturday, April 2 at The Clarion will feature several special guests. In addition to performances by former Lake Jackson resident Walzel, the concert will include the three winners from BSO’s 2022 Young Melody Challenge.

The annual contest invites elementary, middle and junior high students to submit their own melodies for judging. The winning melodies are given to composer and Lake Jackson native Ryan Lindveit, who creates an original song incorporating the students’ melodies.

BSO will perform the world premiere of this piece with the young composers on stage helping BSO conductor Brian Casey conduct the piece.

This year’s winners include the following students:

  • Evalyn Pearson is a second-grade student at AP Beutel Elementary in Lake Jackson. Evalyn’s winning melody is called “Ocean Evalyn“.  Evalyn’s music teacher, Ms. Narlene Plank, plays flute with BSO.
  • Dianaly Torres is a fifth-grade student at Clute Intermediate School. Dianaly’s winning melody is titled “Dianaly’s Blooming Notes“.  Dianaly’s music teacher, Ms. Marie Sanders, sings with the Brazosport College and Community Choir and has performed on stage with BSO.
  • Susanne Espinoza is a fifth-grade student at Clute Intermediate School. Susanne’s winning melody is called “Sunrise“.  Susanne’s orchestra teacher, Mr. Darren Tidwell, plays violin and is BSO’s Concertmaster.

Don’t miss out on seeing Walzel and the award-winning young composers. Reserve your seats NOW!

 

 

 

 

 

Evalyn with BSO conductor Brian Casey

Dianaly with Maestro Casey

Susanne with Mr. Casey

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra welcomes Lake Jackson native for upcoming concert

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra is welcoming home Lake Jackson’s own Robert Walzel in Jazz Meets Classical: Featuring Robert Walzel on Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 PM at The Clarion. This concert will also include BSO’s Young Melody Competition winners.

 

Since 2010, Robert Walzel has served as dean of the University of Kansas School of Music. Performing extensively in essentially all mediums featuring clarinet and saxophone, he is hailed by critics as a “remarkable clarinet virtuoso” possessing “great finesse”, a “rich, warm, focused tone” and “effortless technique.” Featured in performances throughout the United States and around the world, Walzel has performed in 30 countries and presented master classes and lectures at several of the world’s leading music schools.

 

Partnering with pianist Steven Glaser as the Con Fuoco Duo, a collaboration extending 30 years, Walzel has toured as an Artistic Ambassador for the United States Information Agency (Department of State). A proponent of jazz and other culturally influenced music, he has premiered and recorded several new works written for him. He is featured on multiple recording labels including Albany, Navona, Con Fuoco Digital and Mark Records.

 

Walzel served on the faculty at Texas Tech University and as Principal Clarinetist of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra for 11 years prior to moving to Kansas. Previous administrative leadership positions include those at Sam Houston State University in Texas and at the University of Utah. A past president of the International Clarinet Association, he has served two full terms as a commissioner on the Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Music.

 

Walzel is a 1977 graduate of Brazoswood High School and remains grateful for the rich and supportive musical culture of the Brazosport community…particularly his foundational music teachers Ernest Clark, Rod Cannon, Herman Gauthier, Fred McDonald and his first music teacher, Iona Walzel.

 

Purchase your tickets online *OR* call 979-265-7661 or stop by the Box Office during regular business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Mon.-Fri.).

New Brazoswood H.S. auditorium named after Brazosport Symphony Orchestra conductor Brian Casey

*Release courtesy of Brazosport ISD

The Brazosport ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the new Brazoswood auditorium in honor of longtime Buccaneer Band Directors Jim Koch and Brian Casey.

Initially, retired band director Brian Casey addressed the Board twice seeking to name the auditorium after his mentor and best friend, longtime Head Band Director at Brazoswood, Mr. Jim Koch. Although the idea was a good one, others thought that there was something missing. Since Mr. Casey original request, BISD has received requests to consider naming the New Brazoswood HS Auditorium after both longtime Brazoswood Band Directors Jim Koch and Brian Casey.

The duo of Jim Koch and Brian Casey has been an undeniable team of musical excellence. Mr. Koch and Mr. Casey, collectively, served the band students harmoniously at Brazoswood High school for more than 60 years, winning numerous awards and accolades. After retirement, Jim Koch served as a BISD Trustee while his close friend, Brian Casey, continued to lead the successful Buccaneer Band program.

“I cannot think of two more deserving recipients of this honor than Jim Koch and Brian Casey,” said Superintendent Danny Massey. “These two built a powerhouse music program that has positively touched the lives of thousands of Brazoswood students.”

Now, this musical partnership did not just happen, No, Jim Koch, or Jimmy as he was known back in the day, started his career at Brazosport High School in 1977 where he was an assistant for four years. He worked with George Mitchell who was like a second dad and great mentor. In 1981, Jim moved across the district to Brazoswood High School and was an assistant for three years. In 1984, at the age of twenty-nine, Jim became the Director of Bands at Brazoswood High School, one of the youngest to serve as a head director at such a young age. Jim went on to hold that position for the next twenty-six years.

And “One of first and best things,” Jim said that he did in his new role was to invite a new Sam Houston State University graduate, Brian Casey, to join the Brazoswood and staff. Thus began a lifelong musical collaboration and dear friendship as they worked side by side to run the Brazoswood Band program. The two brought in numerous talented educators to work with their students. Some stayed for a few years and others are still working in the program. They also brought parents – creating one of the strongest support groups for student musicians around the state. And this legacy continues on.

From Award winning Marching competitions to Symphonic performances, Brazoswood has led the way. The Brazoswood Bands consistently earned UIL sweepstakes, TMEA recognitions and National acclaim for their multifaceted music programs.

In 2010, Jim chose to retire and dedicate his time, as a private citizen, serving as a BISD Board Trustee and as the Board’s President. At this time, Brian Casey took over as the Director of Brazoswood Bands, a position he held until his retirement in 2017.

Together, the Koch & Casey Buccaneer Bands have excelled at every level. They’ve earned 33 UIL Sweepstakes Awards, advanced to the Texas State Marching Contest 17 times. Were the only Texas band to be awarded a UIL State Medal to every performing member at UIL Wind Ensemble Contest! Their bands hold the Region records for the number of Solo and 1st Division medals awarded a band program. Their bands were consistently named Bands of America Marching finalists. Their entire Symphonic Bands were awarded UIL Outstanding Performer Medals at the State Wind Ensemble Contest. And they have had the most students placed in All Region Jazz Bands throughout the years and earned numerous Grand Championships at Jazz Festivals around the state.

The musical union of Jim Koch and Brian Casey has seen the Brazoswood bands earn many awards and accolades. They have won awards together and separately, but through it all, it has always been Koch & Casey. Even in retirement, both men still play a large role in the success of the music programs in the Brazosport area.

To honor the dedication and outstanding leadership of Brazoswood Band Directors Jim Koch and Brian Casey, the BISD Board named the new Brazoswood Auditorium, to be open next fall, the Koch & Casey Auditorium.

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s “Playing with Fire!” concert featured in The Facts

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s fourth concert of the 2021-2022 season, “Playing with Fire!”, was recently featured in The Facts before the decision was made to postpone it due to facility closures at Brazosport College and The Clarion. The online article has been updated to reflect the new event date.

Hear from BSO conductor Brian Casey and president Paula Matzke about the upcoming concert, including the 2022 Composition Contest winner and the fire-themed music to be featured, such as the Concert Suite from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”.

Read the article online…THEN get tickets to the concert, slated for Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 PM at The Clarion (across the parking lot from The Center at Brazosport College).

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s “Playing with Fire!” concert postponed to February 19

Due to inclement weather and the closure of Brazosport College and The Clarion, Brazosport Symphony Orchestra has been forced to postpone “Playing with Fire!”, originally scheduled for February 5. The new date for the concert is Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 PM at The Clarion.

Make plans now to join BSO for this fire-themed concert and get your tickets NOW!

The Facts previews Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert, “Handel’s Messiah: A Christmas Celebration” is featured in the entertainment section of today’s edition of The Facts. The story, “Brazosport Symphony Orchestra joins stage with local choir groups”, focuses on this weekend’s musical event, slated for Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 PM at The Clarion at Brazosport College.

Reporter Dakota Perry interviewed BSO conductor Brian Casey and BSO president Paula Matzke about what the public can expect at the concert and why they are excited about this holiday music tradition.

Read the story at The Facts online.

If YOU want to attend the concert, there’s still time to get tickets! Buy them online at the link below or call the Box Office at 979-265-7661.

The Facts previews Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s “Animusicology” event & concert

The Facts featured Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming “Animusicology” event and concert, slated for this Saturday, November 13. BSO has partnered with SPCA of Brazoria county to put on a free event for the community from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at The Center. The “Animusicology” concert will take place at 7:30 PM across the parking lot at The Clarion.

The article features information about the daytime event and the concert and includes interviews with conductor Brian Casey and Rachel Cloeter, who helped BSO plan the community event.

Read the article, “Animals celebrated with music at the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra”, online!

The Facts previews Brazosport Symphony Orchestra concert, “Bella Italia!”

The Facts featured Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of the 2021-2022 season in today’s newspaper in an article titled “Brazosport Symphony Orchestra opens season with ‘Bella Italia!'”.

The feature previews the concert and includes interviews with conductor Brian Casey and musician Linda Crummel.

Read the article online here.