Barry Keith Knezek, M.D. – Executive Director, Co-Founder of Lone Star Wind Orchestra
Dr. Knezek is a Board Certified Psychiatrist in private practice in Dallas and has incorporated his love for wind band as a healthy counterbalance in a very hectic professional career. He has performed as a percussionist for the past 34 years, beginning his training in the Victoria, Texas public school system and finishing at Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas.A graduate of Industrial High School, Vanderbilt, Texas and proud member of the TMEA 1979-80 – State Honor Band, he then performed as Principal Percussionist with SFA Wind Ensemble, the Lumberjack Marching Band under the direction of Mel Montgomery and Stephen Peterson, from 1983-87.
Dr. Knezek finished medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1991 while continuing as the Principal Percussionist with the San Antonio Municipal Band and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. He then finished his Psychiatric Residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Beverly Hills, California in 1995, while performing with the Huntington Beach Community Band and commuting to perform with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.
Returning to Texas in 1995 to set up his practice, he auditioned for the Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Ray C. Lichtenwalter. Barry continued his involvement in this group until its demise in 2003 and was the player representative to the Board of Directors 2000 to 2003. He has performed with several professional groups including the Dallas Wind Symphony, The East Texas Symphony, the Victoria Symphony and multiple community groups including the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving.
Dr. Barry Knezek is firmly devoted to the wind band as an important part of our musical culture and truly believes his professional success is in large part due to the many musical experiences that have shaped and balanced his career path.
“Founding the Lone Star Wind Orchestra in 2006, along with Co-Founders Christopher Tucker and Robert Clark, has been my greatest joy and sense of musical accomplishment since picking up a pair of drumsticks forty years ago! The LSWO musicians, Board of Trustees, and Conductor Eugene Corporon create an incredible sense of musical integrity and respectful collaboration that are so unusual in the arts today!”
Discography
- “American Tapestry” – Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Naxos label, 2008
- “Converging Cultures” – Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Naxos label, 2011
- “Crown Imperial” – Dallas Wind Symphony, Reference label, 2007
- “Lincolnshire Posey” – Dallas Wind Symphony, Reference label, 2009
- “Horns For the Holidays” – Dallas Wind Symphony, Reference label, 2012
- “Ticheli” – Dallas Wind Symphony, Reference label, 2012
