Summit Records
has released the first-ever compact disc by Northern Illinois University’s band director, titled “Concertos for Brass: The Music of Thomas Bough.” The CD includes three original concerti for solo brass and wind bands in addition to two arrangements by Bough.
The concertos are performed by Bough and the NIU Wind Symphony in addition to noted horn soloist Larry Williams, Jeff Malecki and NIU professor of trumpet Mark Ponzo.
The program list includes the following selections:
- Concerto for Horn and Wind Band (Bough)
- Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Band (Bough)
- Suite Tuba (Bough)
- Concerto in E-flat Major (Neruda, arr. Bough)
- Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms (Mantia, arr. Bough)
Bough joined the faculty of Northern Illinois University in the fall of 2005 as the director of Athletic Bands. He also conducts the Wind Symphony and teaches courses within the music education curriculum.
He holds MM and DMA degrees in Tuba Performance from Arizona State University, where he was a student of Sam Pilafian and Dan Perantoni. He holds the degree Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Southwest Missouri State University, where he was active in both vocal and instrumental music.
Previously, Bough served as the assistant director of bands and professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and as the band director at Westwood High School in Mesa, Ariz. from 1992 to 1999.
Bough’s diverse performance background includes the St. Louis Brass Band, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Mesa Symphony Orchestra, SIUC Faculty Brass Quintet, and the Downbeat Dixieland Band. He toured for two seasons with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and performed as a member of the 1989 Walt Disney World All American College Marching Band.
Bough is a frequent contributor to the Instrumentalist magazine and has contributed articles to three volumes of the Teaching Music Through Performance series. He has presented clinics and workshops at the Illinois and Tennessee Music Educators Association State Conventions, as well as MENC Regional conventions in Nebraska, Oregon and Connecticut.
Bough is an active conductor, clinician, arranger and adjudicator for both concert bands and marching bands. Most of his travel has focused on presenting his method book called The Band Boot Camp to bands across the West and Midwest.
