The Woodlands Concert Band is in its seventh full season and has performed more than 80 concerts throughout the Montgomery County and Northwest Houston areas. It is the only community band in the county and with 75 members at last count, membership has more than tripled since the ensemble's first rehearsal in January 2000. Donations this year from The Woodlands-area merchants make it possible for the band to continue to bring quality music to the public.
Dr. Richard L. Byrd, the music director of the Woodlands Concert Band, holds advanced degrees in music composition and conducting, and is active as a composer, conductor and low brass clinician. Byrd's works have been performed over the southeast, Chicago, Michigan, and California. He is the founding conductor of the Alabama Composer's Orchestra. Dr. Byrd may be contacted via email at .
Tommy Tuggle, our assistant conductor hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Tuggle has been a professional musician for thirty years and a band director for twenty-eight. He has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and his master.s from East Texas State University in Commerce. He has performed with the Corpus Christi Symphony, Houston Ballet, Tyler Symphony, and the Woodlands Symphony. Mr. Tuggle is a low brass specialist with experience on trombone, bass trombone and tuba. He is currently the tuba section leader of the WCB. "Performing with these fine people is the highlight of my career. I hope to bring something special to the band as a director."
The Band has been extremely fortunate in members being willing to serve on our Board of Directors. Board members serve one-year terms, and in them is vested the planning responsibilities of the organization as a whole. The members of the WCB Board of Directors for the 2006-2007 season are:
Ed Hendrickson Trombone
President Ed Hendrickson, born and raised in Houston, has been a police officer with the Houston Police Department for 29 years. He is currently a sergeant assigned to the Robbery Division. Married for 30 years to Glenda, who plays the oboe and flute, they have one son and two grandchildren.
Ed graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Law Enforcement and Police Science in 1985. As a police officer, Ed has worked in the Patrol, Burglary and Theft, Forgery, supervised the Polygraph Section, and Robbery Division. In 1998, former Governor George W. Bush appointed Mr. Hendrickson to the Texas Polygraph Examiners Board. Ed and his wife are active members of Westland Baptist Church.
Ed played trombone in his Junior High and High School band. After a break from music during college, he began playing occasionally with various groups, including a band that the Houston Police Department formed for a short period of time. For the last 15 years, Ed has enjoyed playing the trombone regularly. The Woodlands Concert Band gives him and his wife the opportunity to relax and do something together that gives value and enjoyment to the community.
Robert Higgason Trumpet
Vice-President and General Counsel Robert W. Higgason, who serves as the vice-president and general counsel of the Woodlands Concert Band, is an attorney in private practice in The Woodlands. Robert practiced with two national law firms before opening his own practice. Robert's practice focuses on commercial, business, and other civil litigation and appeals.
Robert received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center. He also received a Master of Arts in philosophy from the University of Houston. His undergraduate degree is from Houston Baptist University. After some years away from his instrument, Robert playing again in 2001 and is enjoying his return to trumpet and the band immensely.
Len Bates Tenor Saxophone
Secretary Len works in the petroleum business as a geophysicist for Total E&P USA. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in geology and geophysics from the University of Delaware. He and his wife Kim have three children in grade and middle school.
Len played in junior high and high school bands and then in the marching band at Delaware. After school, Len pursued other hobbies including woodworking and photography, but remained an avid listener. Len resumed playing saxophone and joined the Woodlands Concert Band in 2003. His children and wife's piano studies had reminded him of the pleasure of making music, especially within a bigger group such as a concert band. As he eloquently states,"There's really nothing like the feeling of contributing to, and being literally inside a piece of music.."
In addition to playing in the band, Len has recorded on CD many of the concerts over the last year as a benefit for the players and others to relive the performances, and to listen to the performances as the audience heard them.
Vicki Roth Trombone
Treasurer Dr. Vicki Roth graduated from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. She has spent the last 22 years in private practice in Houston and Dallas. After many years away from music, she returned as a member of the Orchestra in The John Cooper School's 1999 production of "The Music Man". She became a charter member of the Woodlands Concert Band during its inaugural season, Spring 2000. Vicki's twin high school students, Brett and Meagan followed mom's lead and play the trombone and tuba, respectively.
Kevin Patrick Clarinet
Public Relations Kevin Patrick works as a senior systems advisor for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, received bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering and management from Oklahoma State University. He plays clarinet in the Woodlands Concert Band and recently performed in the orchestra for a Creighton Theater production of "Camelot." He is an organist and member of the A Cappella Choir at Woodlands United Methodist Church. He also sings with the Woodlands Symphony Chorus. Kevin previously directed a wind ensemble and handbell choir at a church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Robert Morales Bass Clarinet
Member-at-Large Robert, a native Houstonian, is a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Houston Married for 35 years to Anne; they have two grown sons and one grandson. Robert has worked for several consulting engineers until accepting a position in an engineering sales company. As with Victor Kayam of Remington, he liked it so much that he bought the company--which evolved into Morales & Associates, Inc., an agency that represents engineering and commercial manufacturers.
Robert initially played clarinet for 7 years when in school, then, when his sons began studying music, he also started playing again for local community bands. Groups with which he has performed include the Missouri City Community Band, West Houston Concert Band Lone Star Symphonic Band, Pasadena Symphonic Orchestra, and now the Woodlands Concert Band. "I always enjoyed being part of the sound in a band and I believe, after playing with several other bands, the Woodlands Concert Band has a superior sound. The players, conductors and the enthusiasm of the organization are why I travel so far to play each week."
Susan R. Fowler Flute
Member-at-Large Susan Fowler is an English and Journalism teacher in the Aldine Independent School District. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor's in History in 1992. After more than a decade away from music, Susan began playing the flute again three years ago, joining the Woodlands Concert Band in 2003. She is also a member of the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Flute Choir and has performed at the Houston area UU Music Fest. In addition to her board position, Susan currently serves the band as librarian, flute section leader and designs the program for each concert.
About the WCB 
Dr. Richard L. Byrd, the music director of the Woodlands Concert Band, holds advanced degrees in music composition and conducting, and is active as a composer, conductor and low brass clinician. Byrd's works have been performed over the southeast, Chicago, Michigan, and California. He is the founding conductor of the Alabama Composer's Orchestra. Dr. Byrd may be contacted via email at 
Tommy Tuggle, our assistant conductor hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Tuggle has been a professional musician for thirty years and a band director for twenty-eight. He has a bachelor's degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and his master.s from East Texas State University in Commerce. He has performed with the Corpus Christi Symphony, Houston Ballet, Tyler Symphony, and the Woodlands Symphony. Mr. Tuggle is a low brass specialist with experience on trombone, bass trombone and tuba. He is currently the tuba section leader of the WCB. "Performing with these fine people is the highlight of my career. I hope to bring something special to the band as a director." 
