Noel Freeman currently serves as principal bass trombonist of the Houston Pride Band and Bass Trombone for the Conroe Symphony Orchestra (after previously serving as Second Trombone).  He also freelances across the Greater Houston area.  Some of the ensembles Noel has performed with include the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, Texas A&M University Concert Band, San Antonio College Musical Theater Orchestra, San Bernardino Civic Light Opera, Riverside Winds, Riverside City College Wind Ensemble, Riverside City College Jazz Band, and University of California Riverside Wind Ensemble.

Noel began his musical journey as a baritone player until his high school band director handed him a trombone (made by Earl Williams!) the day before Winter break in 1990 and told him he needed to know how to play it by the time he got back to school in January. It was a match made in Heaven and he excelled as a young trombonist so much so that he was invited to play 2nd trombone at the University of California Riverside at the age of 15.

After a break from music while enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, which began his career in government service, Noel returned to trombone as a casual player in community groups and in recent years has focused on returning to the professional music world through both trombone performance and arranging.  In November 2021 he founded Block T Music, a music publishing house to publish his own work and the work of other composers and arrangers.

He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Music from Houston Community College and is pursuing completion of a Bachelor of Music degree in Trombone Performance from Sam Houston State University under the instruction of Dr. Ben Osborne.  His previous instructors have included David T. White, Ryan Rongone, Dr. Kendall Moore, Dr. David Wilborn, and Alex Henderson.  Noel has also studied music composition under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Buller and recently completed “A Father’s Absolution,” his first composition for full orchestra.  He is continuing his composition studies with Dr. Kyle Kindred.

Noel’s “regular gig” for the last 19 years has been with Houston Public Works, the nation’s largest municipal public works agency, where he serves as a division manager. In addition to working for the City of Houston, Noel is a private human resources consultant specializing in the ADA Interactive Process and the human resources needs of performing arts and small non-profit organizations.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Norwich University.

When not playing trombone, arranging, or trying to make difference in the world through public service, Noel spends his time playing with his two beagles and Bombay cat, trying out new recipes with his husband Brad, working on DIY projects around the house, and backpacking in the wilderness.

Noel proudly plays a bass trombone by Getzen, tenor and alto trombones by S.E. Shires, and mouthpieces by Denis Wick and Karl Hammond Design.