Conductor Message

My Dear WINDS Musician Friends,

As we begin our Twenty-Ninth Season, we embark on new horizons in many aspects of the band.  The future of the West Michigan Concert WINDS has never looked brighter!  You have a devoted board of directors that have met throughout the summer to finalize the hiring of our new Business Manager - Mrs. Jennifer Darling.  She is highly qualified, capable, eager and already a devoted member of the WINDS!  Her goal, she said – Is to make the WINDS known!! Welcome Jennifer!!!!   ALSO - As you know we are hosting the 2011 Association of Concert Bands National Convention – we have just confirmed the Guest Conductor for the Convention Band, it will be James Curnow!!  Mr. Curnow is a very well known composer of band literature – this is a HUGE feather in our cap and we are extremely honored he agreed!!!  He is originally a Michigan native – graduating from Wayne State and MSU!

Our upcoming season brings wonderful music opportunities and some date changes – to shake it up a bit! We are beginning with the Oct. 14^th “Bandancing” Concert with guest artist – Deanna Swoboda, Tuba Soloist.  Ms. Swoboda was formerly with the Dallas Brass touring worldwide – presently she is the Tuba Professor at Western Michigan University.  She will be presenting a Master Class from 4-6pm on Thurs. Oct. 11 (before our final rehearsal) in the MCC Band Room.  Students from the greater West Michigan Area will be invited as well as all our low brass. 

This is our year free of holiday concerts, so our second concert will be on January 20, 2008 – it is entitled “Impressions.”  This will include music depicting works of art within a PowerPoint presentation being shown as the band performs.  Along with this it will include YOU in small ensembles of your choice – finding and performing literature with a form of multi-media pictures shown as your group plays.  So, start thinking about/ and begin forming small groups for this exciting opportunity!  We also are tentatively planning to do two what I’m calling “Satellite Concerts” the Saturday evening before our January and March Concert at an area High School, as we continue to share our music with the communities.

Our attendance at the Red Cedar Festival of Community Bands, Sat. Feb. 23, 2008, is tentative – because it is “our turn” to possibly take a year off so other bands that have been on the waiting list can experience this great festival.  We are a desired group at the RCF – but I felt it was only fair we took our turn.  We will apply, and IF they have no one on the waiting list we will play, if not we are trying to work out a joint concert on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 the night before the Festival with a group in that area and/or there is also a good chance we may be traveling to Kalamazoo to share an evening concert with the fine Kalamazoo Concert Band in February – either way we will have a very musical February!!

This season we will offer a ‘Soloist Award’ to an area student musician and the chance to perform a solo with our ensemble.  The student auditions will be Saturday, Feb.  2, 2008, so spread the word to all the talented young musicians you are aware of.

THIS IS NEW!!  Our final concert will be Sunday, March 30, 2008 – “America’s Pastimes” is the theme.  Why so early, you may be asking?  Well, because we are beginning to plan a Summer 2008 Tour.  WHERE?  Along our own gorgeous Lake Michigan Shoreline! The dates are not set yet, but in June we will take a 7-10 day tour up the coast from Muskegon to Mackinaw.  There are many lovely outdoor amphitheaters all along the way, just begging to have our music coming out of them.  So we are in the process of setting this up – it will be like former tours, just a lot less expensive, no long flights, a language we can understand, and with the same fun opportunities to meet new people and share our love of music!  Please consider being part of this wonderful tour!!!

I am really looking forward to beginning my twelfth season as your conductor; if you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me.  Home (616) 847-8800 or Work (beginning Sept 4) (231)744-9280 ext. 2179.

 Yours in friendship and music,

                                          Yours in friendship and music,,

                                          Gail A. Brechting