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Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
Evolving from the Symphonic Band, the Western University Wind Ensemble was established by Jerome Summers in the 1980s. Acknowledged as one of the finest wind bands in Canada, the Wind Ensemble is indebted to the leadership of past conductors: Donald McKellar, James Ford, Charles Dalkert, Wayne Jeffrey, Jerome Summers, David McKinney and Gary McCumber. With the appointment of Dr. Colleen Richardson, in 2006, the Wind Ensemble continues its journey towards excellence in performance and wind band education.
The Wind Ensemble is open to all Western Students. An audition is required for participation. Repertoire is selected from standard wind ensemble literature, works for chamber ensembles, transcriptions, concerti, and contemporary works. Although core repertoire is the largest programming component, ensemble members will periodically be exposed to iconic wind chamber music, ranging from the antiphonal music of Gabrieli or Classical Period Harmonie music, to the masterpieces of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Transcriptions are an important part of the history of the band, especially within the military and professional band traditions, and these are honoured through the performance of selected works. Concerti feature faculty, guests, or students. Students are selected through a competitive process.
- Music Director: Colleen Richardson, Coordinator of Bands
- Audition required. Open to all Western University students. Audition information
- Rehearsals: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m. Rehearsal information
- Download cumulative repertoire (PDF)
- Winds, Brass & Percussion Division
2026-27 Performances
- Please read the Audience Information page before joining us on campus.
- Concert programs are available for download up to a week in advance.
- Durations are estimated.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 3:00pm Paul Davenport Theatre (2.5 hours)
Community and Artistry
The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble perform a joint concert to celebrate the new academic year! The SB will perform works by Giovannini, Charoensri, Persichetti, Wilson, and Gjeilo. The WE will feature Iannaccone's Sea Drift and Ticheli's Angels in the Architecture, alongside works by Stamp, Horne, and Bernstein.
Friday, December 4, 2026 7:30pm Paul Davenport Theatre (1 hour)
Modern, Traditional, and Global Impressions
The program includes diverse works highlighting the wind band's heritage and closes with Spanish composer Luis Serrano Alarcón Duende: Four Preludes for Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Saturday, February 6, 2027 3:00pm Paul Davenport Theatre (1.5 hours)
Shout Your Truth!
This concert features our Band Concerto Competition winner! Other works include: Black American composer Carlos Simon’s Sweet Chariot, Adam Gorb's Yiddish Dances, Dan Welcher's Circular Marches, and Cindy McTee's Circuits.
Friday, April 2, 2027 7:30pm Paul Davenport Theatre (1.5 hours)
"Oh, the places you'll go!"
A culmination of the student's passion and effort! The program will feature works by Ives, Schwantner, Gandolfi, John Williams, Waespi, and Vilaplana.
Performance Excerpts
- Run to the Light (excerpt), Ivan Trevino [0:00-1:16 min] - performed March 27, 2026
- Symphony No. 4 (excerpts), David Maslanka [1:17-3:46 min] - performed March 27, 2026
- Tuttarana (excerpt), Reena Esmail [3:47-4:15 min] - performed February 7, 2026
- Before the Dawn (excerpt), David Biedenbender [4:16-4:49 min] - performed February 7, 2026
- Amen (excerpts), Carlos Simón [4:50-6:03 min] - performed February 7, 2026
- Redwood (excerpt), Ryan George [6:04-6:42 min] - performed October 25, 2025
- La Ruta (excerpt), David Pont Ripoll [6:43-7:35 min] - performed October 25, 2025
All rights reserved. For educational purposes only.
Recordings
Explorations: Recorded over three academic years, the latest recordings released by the Western University Wind Ensemble was produced by Mark Records. Available on Spotify and iTunes.
Apparitions by the Western University Wind Ensemble is on Albany Records and available at Amazon.ca and iTunes.