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The Winds is hailed as the finest music ensemble in Mohave County and surrounding areas. Director and musicians strive for the highest level of musical excellence as they present performances that will touch your heart and all your senses.
The concert themes for the 2011-2012 season include musical celebrations of Halloween, Christmas, Big Band and Jazz music, and the Arizona state Centennial.
History: The Symphonic Winds was founded in 1998 by Maestro Wesley L Humphrey who continues to direct it. The mission of the organization is to provide an opportunity for skilled adult musicians to play together and to provide Lake Havasu with affordable, quality live instrumental entertainment.
The group strives to continue the American community band tradition, and the majority of the musicians are Lake Havasu residents. Musical and concert formats have evolved through the years to the present configuration.
Instrumentation: The musicians are organized as a wind ensemble, a plan first devised by Fredric Fennell at Eastman School of Music. A wind ensemble is smaller that a concert band, because there is only one musician playing each part. Therefore, it is essential that each musician be competent on his instrument to play his part.
The current instrumentation consists of one piccolo, two flutes, five clarinets, one bassoon, one oboe, four saxophones, one trumpet, three cornets, two french horns, three trombones, one euphonium, one string bass, one tuba, and three percussionists. There are no string instruments in a wind ensemble, except for the upright bass.
Youth Outreach: Talented high school musicians are included in the group when an opening exists. The Winds offers scholarships to graduating seniors who decide to prepare for a career in music. And, the Winds encourages youth to learn about and enjoy music by offering free admission for children with an adult and students with a school ID.
Organization: The Winds is a 501-c-3 not for profit Arizona corporation of volunteer musicians and support staff governed by a Board of Directors. It is affiliated with the Lake Havasu City Parks and Recreation Department and is a member of the American Concert Band Association and the Allied Arts Council of Lake Havasu City, Inc.
Financial Support: The Winds is funded primarily by tickets sales and donations. It also receives a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts which is funded by the State of Arizona and the National Endowment on the Arts. |
