All-female lineup comes to Moody

By Becky Mayad

The Lone Star Wind Orchestra (LSWO) will present Wonder Women of Brass, boasting an all-female guest artist lineup of composers and musicians from around the world, on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District, 2520 Flora St., Dallas, Texas 75201. 

The featured guest artist is internationally renowned tuba soloist Velvet Brown, who will perform the world premiere of a new tuba concerto composed by Anna Segal titled Pandora. Also performing are the Lantana Trio, made up of three University of North Texas professors and Melissa Ewing, an award-winning renowned soloist on euphonium. Other highlights include Lone Star Wind Orchestra Music Director Eugene Migliaro Corporon and the LSWO performing music by Dorothy Gates, Pablo Sarasate, James David, James Stephenson and Oscar Navarro. Amy Woody will guest conduct.

Velvet Brown, a Distinguished Professor of Music at Pennsylvania State University, has enjoyed a career as professor, international soloist, chamber ensemble performer, recording artist, conductor and orchestral player. She was honored to be principal tuba with the Hope and Harmony Ensemble, which recorded a video of fanfares for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration conducted by Marin Alsop. 

She is co-founder of MOJATUBA: Tuba and Dance Fusion Project, and is in her 15th year as lead tuba with Howard Johnson’s “Gravity” Tuba Jazz Ensemble. Brown has released four solo CDs and has collaborated on several other recordings, such as Stiletto Brass Quintet featuring Doc Severinsen, and a trumpet and solo tuba jazz recording with the Cleveland Jazz Ensemble, directed by Paul Ferguson.

The Lantana Trio was formed in 2018 by faculty members of the University of North Texas. Members include Raquel Samayoa on trumpet, Stacie Mickens on horn and Natalie Mannix on trombone. 

Advocates for diversity in the arts, the Lantana Trio recently recorded an album of works for brass trio with three new commissions by BIPOC and women composers. 

Members of the Lantana Trio also will be the next co-hosts of the International Women Brass Conference (IWBC) to be held at the University of North Texas in May 2022.

“It will be an honor and privilege to feature such wonderful musicians. These women epitomize professionalism and artistic prowess. From the opening notes to the end of each performance, you will be enthralled and amazed,” said Lone Star Wind Orchestra cofounder Christopher Tucker.

Tickets, which are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, are available at ticketdfw.com. 

Learn more at lswo.com.