William Hess is a senior music performance major at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Hess began his studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, and has recently transferred to UMKC to complete his degree, as well as become a founding member of the Fountain City Brass Band.  As a freshman, he was a prize winner in the USM Bands Concerto Competition, soloist with the USM Concert Band, winner of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association Freshman and Sophomore Solo Competition and Winner of the MMTA Concerto Competition. As a sophomore, he was again a winner of the USM Bands Concerto Competition, First Place Winner of the USM Orchestra Concerto Competition and Winner of the 2000 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference Artist Euphonium Competition. Most recently William was named winner of the 2001 Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Brass Competition, and a finalist for the 2002 Falcone Competition. Hess is an active soloist, and was invited to perform a solo recital at the 2001 I.T.E.C in Lahti, Finland.