The Ohio University Wind Symphony (formely "Wind Ensemble") is one of three concert bands in the School of Music. This auditioned ensemble’s membership is selected from among the finest wind and percussion performers in the university. Dedicated to the performance of outstanding repertoire from the renaissance to the present, the Wind Symphony utilizes a flexible approach to instrumentation, allowing for stylistic accuracy in the performance of wind music by the world's greatest composers.
As the premier concert band in the School of Music, the Wind Symphony performs approximately six campus concerts each year, and has performed for conferences of the College Band Directors National Association (1970s, 2004, 2012), Ohio Music Education Association (1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010), the Society of Composers, Inc.,the World Projects Band and Orchestra Festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2008), the Women in Music Conference with guest composers Joan Tower and Nancy Galbraith (1999), as well as the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association 2011-2012 Subscription Series at the Vern RIffe Center for the Arts. Members of the Wind Symphony have enjoyed opportunities to collaborate with a variety of distinguished artists including conductors Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Jack Delaney, Thomas Fraschillo, Gary Hill, Thomas Lee, Donald Schleicher, and composers Donald Erb, Nancy Galbraith, Jack Gallagher, Jere Hutcheson, James Mobberley, Roberto Sierra, and Eric Whitacre. The Wind Symphony has also performed with an array of outstanding soloists including Marjorie Bagley, violin; Tony Baker, trombone; Marjorie Bennett Stephens, soprano; Roger Braun, percussion; Alison Brown Sincoff, flute; Michael Carrera, cello; Christopher Hayes, trombone; Matthew James, saxophone; Brian Meixner, euphonium; Matthew Morris, bassoon; Patricia Pease, mezzo soprano; Allyn Reilly, saxophone; Rebecca Rischin, clarinet; John Schlabach, trumpet; C. Scott Smith, horn; Jason Smith, tuba; Eric Stomberg, bassoon; Richard Syracuse, piano; Allen Vizzutti, trumpet; and Larry Zalkind, trombone.
In an effort to support the creation of new works for wind band, the Wind Symphony frequently sponsors commissioning projects. Composers whose works have been jointly commissioned by the Ohio University Wind Symphony include Mason Bates,Timothy Broege, Richard Danielpour, Daron Hagen, Huck Hodge, Libby Larsen, Christopher Lee, Lowell Lieberman, Walter Mays, Cindy McTee, Mark Phillips, Anthony Plog, Bill Reichenbach, Robert Rodriguez, Michael Schelle, Roberto Sierra, and Chen Yi, as well as a host of composition students.
For additional information regarding the Wind Symphony, please contact:
Dr. Andrew Trachsel
Director of Bands
740-593-1670
Related Links:
Guest Conductors and Commissioning Projects