HPU’s Goacher conducts the TMEA Region VI Jazz Band

Howard Payne University music professor Stephen Goacher was selected to lead the Texas Music Educators Association Region VI Jazz Band which performed at the Wylie High School Performing Arts Center in March.

Under Goacher’s direction, the 20-piece ensemble performed works by George Gershwin, Alan Baylock, Joe Henderson, Alfred Newman and Randy Newman. Participating band members were selected by audition and included students from Wylie High School, Abilene High School, Cooper High School, Rider High School, and Wichita Falls High School.

Earlier this year, Goacher was the featured clinician/bandleader for the V/XXX All Texas Small School Band Region Honor Jazz Band at Lake Worth High School in Fort Worth. The students in the set were from Kennedale High School, Heritage High School, Springtown High School, Alvarado High School, Goodley High School, and Venus High School.

Goacher has been on the HPU faculty since 1999 and has received numerous accolades as a performer, conductor and teacher. He has performed professionally with artists such as The Temptations, Henry Mancini, Julie Andrews, Lena Horne, Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Rosemary Clooney and Johnny Mathis as well as with the touring companies of many Broadway musicals.

He is a noted woodwind scholar and was the first woodwind doctoral candidate at Indiana University cleared to give doctoral recitals on all wind instruments. He also earned the first master’s degree in woodwind music from Texas Christian University.

In addition to directing the HPU Jazz Ensemble and teaching all wind instruments, Goacher teaches improvisation, jazz history and music appreciation.

“We are extremely proud of Mr. Goacher’s professional and academic accomplishments,” said Dr. Richard Fiese, Dean of HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts and Professor of Music. “Our students continue to excel under his instruction.”

For more information about HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts, visit www.hputx.edu/musicandfinearts.