William Hochkeppel

Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Louisiana
United States
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William Hochkeppel

Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Louisiana
United States
"I use Légère reeds exclusively and have for nearly 10 years. I've found them ideal for use in recital, quartet, orchestral, band and jazz settings, since the different styles offer many options. If I'm fortunate enough to get a compliment from a conductor or colleague, only then do I ask them their thoughts on the reed. When I reveal that it's not natural cane, they are often astounded."- William

William J. Hochkeppel, D.M.E. is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Louisiana where he teaches Applied Saxophone and serves as Director of the Wind Ensemble and UL Jazz Ensemble. An Artist/Clinician for Légère Reeds and Conn-Selmer and, he is active as a recitalist, soloist, adjudicator, & guest-conductor, performing regularly with the Lafayette Saxophone Quartet (which he founded) and with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Players. As a jazz clinician, he has worked with Big Bands in WA, OR, MT, WY, MN, ID, IL, OH, IN, NJ, LA, and as a judge for the Canadian National Music Festival. His bands have performed with Lew Tabackin, Don Menza, Bill Watrous, George Shearing, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Gordon Goodwin, Dianne Schuur, Paquito di’Rivera, & New York Voices. Currently in his 40th year of college teaching, Dr. Hochkeppel’s previous positions were at Butler University (Indianapolis) and Eastern Washington University, as well as the faculties of Northwestern University (IL) and Findlay College (OH).

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William J. Hochkeppel, D.M.E. is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Louisiana where he teaches Applied Saxophone and serves as Director of the Wind Ensemble and UL Jazz Ensemble. An Artist/Clinician for Légère Reeds and Conn-Selmer and, he is active as a recitalist, soloist, adjudicator, & guest-conductor, performing regularly with the Lafayette Saxophone Quartet (which he founded) and with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Players. As a jazz clinician, he has worked with Big Bands in WA, OR, MT, WY, MN, ID, IL, OH, IN, NJ, LA, and as a judge for the Canadian National Music Festival. His bands have performed with Lew Tabackin, Don Menza, Bill Watrous, George Shearing, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Gordon Goodwin, Dianne Schuur, Paquito di’Rivera, & New York Voices. Currently in his 40th year of college teaching, Dr. Hochkeppel’s previous positions were at Butler University (Indianapolis) and Eastern Washington University, as well as the faculties of Northwestern University (IL) and Findlay College (OH).

A native of New Jersey, he holds the bachelor and master’s degrees from Northwestern University [awarded with Highest Distinction], and earned the Doctor of Music Education degree from Indiana University. His training included applied saxophone studies with Frederick Hemke & Eugene Rousseau; and conducting studies with John P. Paynter & Ray E. Cramer. In 1977, Hochkeppel won first prize in the National Saxophone Competition, and was a semifinalist in the 1978 Concours Internationale in Gap, France.

In addition to teaching classes in woodwinds, wind literature, conducting, and music education, Dr. Hochkeppel’s work in the band field has been highly diversified, with a reputation for excellence in symphonic and marching bands as well as jazz ensembles. He is a skilled arranger in many different styles and has written several articles for The Instrumentalist and other music periodicals.