William VerMeulen

Hailed as “one of today’s superstars of the international brass scene,” William VerMeulen leads a varied musical life of Soloist, Orchestral Principal, Chamber Musician, Master Teacher and Music Publisher. Mr. VerMeulen has been Principal Horn of the Houston Symphony since 1990 and has performed as a guest Principal Horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Prior to Houston he played with the orchestras of, Columbus, Honolulu, and Kansas City. He maintains a busy schedule with recent and upcoming engagements in Australia, Moscow, Russia, New York, Mexico, Canada, England, Scotland, Colorado, California, Florida, Illinois, Idaho, Washington, and Texas. He has been an Artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and participates as a performer and on faculty with the finest music festivals and chamber music presenters among which include: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Santa Fe, Aspen, Music@Menlo, Banff, DaCamera, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Joshua Bell and Friends, Tanglewood, Steamboat Springs, Orcas Island, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Sun Valley Summer Symphony where he also serves as Principal Horn. He has performed to critical acclaim on four continents as a soloist and chamber musician and is a popular artist at International Horn Society Symposiums where he is a member of the Advisory Council. In addition, he a judge and board member of the International Horn Competition of America. His recording of the four Mozart Horn Concerti with Christoph Eschenbach and the Houston Symphony is heralded internationally. A champion of new music, Mr. VerMeulen has had numerous pieces written for him including concerti by esteemed American composers Samuel Adler and Pierre Jalbert and the popular Phoenix Sonata by Anthony DiLorenzo. Among his awards and honors, Mr. VerMeulen received first prize at the 1980 International Horn Society Soloist Competition and the Shapiro Award for Most Outstanding Brass Player at the Tanglewood Festival. Arguably the most successful of horn teachers working today, Mr. VerMeulen is Professor of Horn at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University with students winning positions in numerous major orchestras throughout the world including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Montreal, Toronto, National Arts Centre, St. Louis, Dallas and Houston Symphonies. In addition, he is a regular coach at the New World Symphony, National Orchestral Institute, Texas Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra and the Banff Centre Masterclass Program. In 1985 he was invited to the White House to receive a “Distinguished Teacher of America Certificate of Excellence” from President Reagan and the White House commission on Presidential Scholars. He received his training from Dale Clevenger at Northwestern University and at the Interlochen Arts Academy and is Founder and President of VerMeulen Music, L.L.C., which offers music and products for horn players worldwide athttp://www.vermeulenmusic.com/ Mr. VerMeulen is married to Houston Opera and Ballet violinist Sylvia VerMeulen and they have two lovely children named Michael and Nicole. In his rare free time he enjoys having good friends over to share in his passion for fine cooking and wine.