Jerry Junkin, Artistic Director
Jerry F. Junkin serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, as well as Director of Bands and the Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Centennial Professor of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also holds the title of University Distinguished Teaching Professor. In 2003 he was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia. The New York Times named the recent release on the Reference Recordings label with Jerry Junkin and The University of Texas Wind Ensemble, Bells for Stokowski, one of the best classical CDs of 2004.
Professor Junkin became conductor of The University of Texas Wind Ensemble in the fall of 1988, following an appointment as Director of Bands at the University of South Florida. From 1978 to 1982, he served as Assistant Director of Bands at UT, after which he held a similar position at The University of Michigan. In addition to his responsibilities as Professor of Music and Conductor and Music Director of the UT Wind Ensemble, he serves as Head of the Conducting Division and teaches courses in conducting and wind band literature. He is a recipient of the Texas Excellence in Teaching awards, presented annually by the Ex-Student's Association. Additionally, he received the Outstanding Young Texas-Ex Award, also from the same organization. In 2004, he was elected to the Academy of Distinguished Teachers at UT.
Dr. Frederick Fennell was one of the world's most active and innovative maestros. The globe-trotting nonagenarian was principal guest conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, principal conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra in Japan, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Miami School of Music.