THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL AND FINE ARTS
SCHOOL OF MUSIC PRESENTS:
UTSA University Band
Hector
Garcia
C O N D U C T O R
P R O G R A M:
“Chants
and Potions”
On Cloud Nine! (2012)
Incantation and Dance (1963)
Elixir (2012)
Arioso (1958)
Rapture (2023)
Sunday, September 28, 2025 3:00 pm
UTSA Music Recital Hall
Richard Saucedo (b. 1957)
John Barnes Chance (1932-1972)
Michael Markowski (b. 1986)
Clifton Williams (1923-1976)
Brian Balmages (b. 1975)
Person n el
(Personnel roster is listed alphabetically to emphasize the important contribution made by each musician)
Flute
Lane Arguello
Aditi Bhuvanesh
Elisabeth Kubena
Elizabeth MacLean, piccolo
Jimena Meza
Eliana Molina
Allison Morin
Joshua Poirot
Ariana Thompson
Madeline Wilson
Double Reeds
Mia Gutierrez, oboe
Jodi Montes, oboe
Cristobal Rodriguez Falcón, bassoon
Clarinet
Alicia Cubillos
Natalie Hernandez
Danniel Ortiz
Jewel Perez +
April Rodriguez
Jacob Wall
Tarynn Williams
Ray Stevens, bass clarinet
Saxophone
Felix Castillo
Manuel Flores
Nicholas Gonzales
Jacob Granados-Hernandez
Esau Hernandez
Roberto Hernandez
Christopher Monroy
Steven Romero
Leron Seals
Richard Ytuarte
Devin Brown, t sax
Luis Lozano, t. sax
Maile Noble, t. sax
Isaac Juarez, b sax
John Ortiz, b sax
Trumpet
Kaleb Brown
Mark Cortez
Matias Garcia
Samuel Lepeska + Joseph Middleton
Ahbab Prinon
Hameed Wilson
French Horn
Matthew Stevens + Travis Niccum
Trombone
Nicholas Arce, bass trombone
Devon Cabrera
Nicholas Gonzalez
Dylan Hernandez
William Klocke
Jasmine Lasiter
Rodrigo Mendez
Andrew Moncada
Jakarri Norsworthy
Meikhi Schwarz
Euphonium
Steven Amaro + Jayden Abney
Aiden Brickley
Austin Kaufman
Roland Scherer
Tuba
Brenten Barnes
Gabriel Chavez
Christian Edens
Marc Guillen
Iliana Manzanares + Abraham Pena
Karla Perez
Frankie Rodriguez
Andrew Sandoval
Evalyn Saucedo
Sean Selvas
Mateo Trevino
Ronin Valentin
Percussion
Elias Calvillo
Erin Faehnle
Emma Fasano
Azirys Garcia - Sanchez
Gabriel Gonzales
Emmanuel Gray
Arturo Jimenez
Kathryn Kidd
Joaquin Mata
Richard Myers
+Band Managers
Conductor
Hector Garcia, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is currently Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at UTSA and is the conductor of the UTSA University Band as well as the director of the UTSA Athletic Pep Band. In the fall semester, he assists directing the UTSA Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band.
Hector graduated with a master's degree in instrumental conducting from University of Texas at San Antonio in 2023 under the mentorship of Dr. John Zarco and Ron Ellis. While a graduate student at UTSA, Hector performed with the UTSA Wind Symphony and was a teaching assistant for several undergraduate courses including Conducting I & II, Marching Band Techniques, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and University Band.
Prior to attending UTSA, Hector taught brass/woodwind beginning band classes, marching band, concert band, and jazz band at the high school and middle school levels for three years. He received a bachelor's degree in music studies from Texas State University in 2017. Hector’s primary instrument is trumpet and actively performs in local community bands. Hector’s professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association and Kappa Kappa Psi. Some of his hobbies include photography, traveling, and doing card tricks for those around him. Fun fact: his favorite food is sushi!
Program Notes
Compiled and Edited by Hector Garcia
On Cloud Nine! was commissioned by the Eastern Shore Band Directors Association in Maryland to celebrate the 50th year of the Senior All-Shore Honor Band. The piece was premiered by the Senior All-Shore Honor Band on April 14, 2012, with myself conducting. On Cloud Nine! is an energetic piece that will work in just about any part of a concert, using short woodwind melodic motives and powerful brass interjections. The middle or "B" section introduces the main theme in a lyrical setting, featuring solos on horn and flute, before returning the piece to a very energetic and fast-paced ending.
Mr. Saucedo is a freelance arranger and composer, having released numerous marching band arrangements, concert band works and choral compositions. His concert band works have been performed all over the world by middle school and high school bands as well as by college and
university groups. He is the author of two DVD's on the subject of rehearsing the marching band wind section "Dynamic Music.” He will also be a part of a symphonic band rehearsal techniques DVD coming out in 2012.
Mr. Saucedo travels throughout the country as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor for concert band, jazz band, marching band, and orchestra. He has been a featured clinician for the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Arkansas Bandmasters Association, the Colorado Music Educators Association, the California Music Educators Association, the North Dakota Music Educators Association, The Virginia Music Educators Association and the Indiana Music Educators Association.
Mr. Saucedo did his undergraduate work at Indiana University in Bloomington and finished his master's degree at Butler University in Indianapolis. He is also an aviation enthusiast and a certified private pilot. Mr. Saucedo is married to his wife Sarah and is most proud of his daughter, Carmen, who is studying elementary education at Ball State University. The newest member of the Saucedo family is son Ethan David, who was born on December 8, 2006.
[Program note by composer.]
Incantation and Dance came into being during Chance’s residency at Greensboro. He wrote it in 1960 and originally called it Nocturne and Dance it went on to become his first published piece for band. Its initial “incantation,” presented in the lowest register of the flutes, presents most of the melodic material of the piece. Chance uses elements of bitonality throughout the opening section to create a “sound world mystically removed from itself.” This continues as the dance elements begin to coalesce. Over a sustained bitonal chord (E-flat major over an A pedal), percussion instruments enter one by one, establishing the rhythmic framework of the dance to come. A whip crack sets off furious brass outbursts. When the dance proper finally arrives, its asymmetrical accents explicitly suggest a 9/8 + 7/8 feel, chafing at the structure of 4/4 time.
John Barnes "Barney" Chance (1932, Beaumont, Texas - 1972, Lexington, Kentucky) was an American composer. Chance began composing while attending Beaumont High School (Beaumont, Texas) where he performed on percussion in the school band and orchestra under the direction of Arnold Whedbee. It was during this time that he wrote his first symphony (for orchestra), which was premiered by Whedbee during his senior year. He received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Texas, where he studied with Clifton Williams, Kent Kennan, and Paul Pisk. After studies at the University of Texas, Chance played with the Austin Symphony Orchestra and also performed with the Fourth U.S. Army Band in San Antonio and the Eighth U.S. Army Band in Korea.
After leaving the army, Chance was selected by the Ford Foundation to be a part of the Young Composers Project. From 1960 through 1962 he was composer- in-residence at the Greensboro, North Carolina, public schools. It is there that he composed seven pieces for school ensembles including his first work for wind band. Throughout his short career, Chance composed for band, orchestra, chorus, chamber groups and solo instruments. His career was tragically ended when he was accidentally electrocuted in the back yard of his home in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1972 at the age of 40.
[Program note from Wind Band Literature and Wind Rep )
So many of us spend our entire lives working tirelessly at what we love to do, striving to become experts in our field, passionately in search of something to be remembered for, something we can change the world with, something that gives us purpose.
It’s a bold idea the thought that a small part of us might, in some way, live forever but it seems that the bold idea itself has had an inexhaustible life of its own. Across the span of history, folklore has given mankind a way to find this meaning, be it through a quest for the Holy Grail, the Fountain of Youth, or even the legendary sword Excalibur.
The mythology behind Elixir is a brother to these legends, probably most associated with Elixir Vitae, or as it’s better known, the Elixir of Life a special potion with magical properties said to extend a person’s life indefinitely, allowing him or her to become immortal, to be forever young. By drinking the potion, man is enabled to overcome his inherent limitations and achieve the greatness that he has always longed for.
Elixir is dedicated to Scott Coulson, a man who has passionately devoted his life to others through music. Above all, the piece is a musical “toast a “cheers” to a continued journey and to a long, healthy life not only to Mr. Coulson, but also to the students at Poteet High School, whose amazing journeys are just beginning.
Michael Markowski (b. 14 November 1986, Mesa, Ariz.) is fully qualified to watch movies and cartoons. In 2010, he successfully graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film from Arizona State University.
While Markowski has never studied music at a university, he has studied privately with his mentors Jon Gomez and Dr. Karl Schindler. However, he has continued his education by participating in a number of programs including "the art of orchestration" with television and film orchestrator Steven Scott Smalley, and in 2008, was invited to be a part of the National Band Association's Young Composer and Conductor Mentorship program.
Other notable performances include The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, Arizona State University, California State University-Fullerton, Rutgers University, San Jose State University, The University of North Texas, Arrowhead Union High School, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensembles, and the Austin Symphonic Band.
Markowski has received commissions for new works from a number of organizations including CBDNA, The Consortium for the Advancement of Wind Band Literature, The Lesbian and Gay Band Association, Arrowhead Union High School, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensembles, Bethel High School, and other consortiums of schools.
A brief insight into Markowski's creative process can be found in a contributing chapter of Composers on Composing for Band, Vol. IV: Young Emerging Composers, published by GIA Music. His work has also been analyzed in the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series (Volume 7).
For the last several years, he has arranged, co-composed, and been music director for an original musical celebrating the life of Judy Garland aptly titled Judy: The Musical. He is a member of ASCAP and currently lives in Astoria, New York.
[Program note by the composer )
James Clifton Williams Jr. (23 March 1923, Traskwood, Ark. – 12 February 1976, Miami, Fla.) was an American composer. Williams began playing French horn, piano, and mellophone in the band at Little Rock (Arkansas) High School. As a professional horn player he would go on to perform with the San Antonio and New Orleans Symphony Orchestras. Williams also served in the Army Air Corps band as a drum major, composing in his spare time.
Clifton Williams attended Louisiana State University (B.M., 1947) where he was a pupil of Helen Gunderson, and the Eastman School of Music (M.M., 1949) where he studied with Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson. In 1949, Williams joined the composition department at the University of Texas School of Music. He taught there until he was appointed Chair of the Theory and Composition Department at University of Miami in 1966. Williams retained this position until his death in 1976. His composition students included W. Francis McBeth and John Barnes Chance.
Clifton Williams received the prestigious Ostwald Award in 1956 for his first composition fo r band, Fanfare and Allegro. He repeated his success in 1957 when he won again with his Symphonic Suite. In addition to his many other honors, those most recently listed include election to membership in the American Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
National Music Fraternity of America, and the honorary degree of Doctor of Music conferred by the National Conservatory of Music at Lima, Peru.
[Program note from score]
When John Thomas, conductor of the Matthew Flinders Anglican College Wind Symphony (Queensland, Australia) approached me about writing a new work, he mentioned that it would be wonderful if the piece could include a reference to the hymn tune Helmsley, which had a great deal of personal significance to him earlier in his performing career. John is a tenor horn player who won the title of World Champion Brass Soloist in 1988 and eventually joined the world-famous Black Dyke Mills Brass Band. One of his favorite pieces, The Kingdom Triumphant by Eric Ball, also uses the hymn tune Helmsley and has become a significant influence in both his playing and teaching. Also known as Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending, this music gave me the opportunity to explore several juxtaposed emotions.
First, there was incredible excitement among the students. John had actually contacted me before the pandemic, but a major wrench got thrown into that timeline once things began to shut down. As a result, this became a project many years in the making, and the combination of in-person rehearsals with the anticipation of a new work really energized the Anglican College Wind Symphony members.
Second, there is the text of the hymn tune, which refers to the moment of glory when someone enters heaven. The third verse states, "With what rapture... gaze we on these glorious scars!" In my mind, whether you are a person of faith or not, this is quite symbolic of how we choose to respond to life in the wake of tragedy and grief. We can choose to be wounded and angry, or we can take trials in life as an opportunity to realign our values, our priorities, and our relationships.
From the powerful opening to the constant building of energy and moments of pure glory and euphoria throughout the piece, one can easily hear the various "rapture" interpretations as the music develops. That said, there are also moments of intense reflection and peace, which also completely align with the subject matter of the work.
It was a pleasure and personal triumph for me to compose Rapture. I hope all ensembles feel the immense fulfillment and gratitude that I experienced as I was writing the music.
[Program note by the composer ]
UTSA Bands
UTSA Students, there’s a band for you!
UTSA "Spirit of San Antonio" Marching Band
The 350-member "Spirit of San Antonio" Marching Band is open to all UTSA students, regardless of major. Like all college bands, the group is comprised of students of various performance backgrounds. The "Spirit of San Antonio" will perform a standard pre-game show, 4-5 different halftime shows, stand tunes, and maintain UTSA traditions, while at the same time promoting a positive learning and social environment for its members. College bands strive towards being fun and spirited organizations while still achieving a quality of performance representative of the image of the university.
UTSA Wind Ensemble
The UTSA Wind Ensemble is comprised of UTSA Students who have achieved an extreme high level of musicianship and who perform some of the most challenging music composed for wind band. Membership in this ensemble is open to all UTSA Students, regardless of major, who audition at the beginning of each semester. The UTSA Wind Ensemble maintains a vigorous performance schedule of three demanding concerts each semester as well as an ensemble tour when schedule and budget permits.
UTSA Symphonic Band
The UTSA Symphonic Band is made up of 45-55 outstanding wind players who perform a repertoire chosen from a variety of historical periods and for ensembles of various sizes. While the group occasionally presents pieces composed for smaller groups, much of its time is spent in the study and performance of works from the standard symphonic band repertoire. Membership is open to all students at the university who audition at the beginning of each semester.
UTSA University Band
The UTSA University Band performs a wide variety of works from different composers and arrangers, in addition to maintaining an active three-concert schedule each semester. There is no formal audition required to participate; students must be able to read music and play a concert band instrument. Membership in the ensemble includes students from almost every discipline on campus. We invite all students interested in performing in this ensemble to come out and join us at the beginning of each semester!
Acknowledgements
Dr. Tracy Cowden, Director, School of Music
Dr. Stacey Davis, Assistant Director, School of Music
Dr. Kasandra Keeling, Associate Director, School of Music
Prof. Ron Ellis, Director of Bands
Dr. John Zarco, Director of Instrumental Ensembles
Naomy Ybarra, Administrative Services Officer 1
Steven Hill, Administrative Associate
Joey Berrios, Marketing Coordinator
Jared Davis, Senior Events Manager
Mr. Rico Gomez, Music Program Coordinator, UTSA Bands
Prof. Sherry Rubins and Prof. Paul Millette, Percussion Area Faculty
Dr. Rachel Woolf and Dr. Oswaldo Zapata, Woodwind and Brass Area Coordinators
Prof. Troy Peters, Director of Orchestras
Dr. Yoojin Muhn, Director of Choral Activities
Dr. Jordan Boyd, Assistant Director of Choral Activities
UTSA School of Music Faculty
Eva Ayala and Jared Worman, School of Music Librarians
UTSA Band Managers
Mu Tau Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi
Nu Eta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha
Theta Gamma Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota
Iota Tau Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma
UTSA Spirit of San Antonio Student Association (SOSASA)
Upcoming Events
All events are in the UTSA Recital Hall and are free admission unless otherwise indicated
Monday, September 29, 2025 @ 7:30p – EN VIVO Series: Chaski
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 @ 7:30p – UTSA Orchestra
Saturday, October 11, 2025 – UTSA Spirit of San Antonio
Hispanic Heritage Halftime Show
@ UTSA vs. Rice Football Game
featuring UTSA Mariachi Los Paisano, Ballet Folklorico Sol de San Antonio, And UTSA Folklorcio
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