Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Orchestral

 

Cleveland Symphonic Winds is a classical music ensemble based in Cleveland, Ohio. The ensemble was founded in 1981 by conductor Frederick Fennell, who served as its music director until his death in 2004. The group is made up of professional musicians from the Cleveland area, and its repertoire includes a wide range of classical and contemporary works for wind ensemble. The ensemble's founding can be traced back to Fennell's long-standing interest in wind music. Fennell was a renowned conductor and educator who had a particular passion for the wind ensemble repertoire. He had previously founded the Eastman Wind Ensemble in 1952, which became one of the most celebrated wind ensembles in the world. Fennell's goal in founding Cleveland Symphonic Winds was to create a similar ensemble that would showcase the talents of Cleveland's finest wind musicians. The ensemble's early years were marked by a series of successful performances and recordings. In 1983, the group released its first album, "The Cleveland Symphonic Winds Play Sousa," which featured a collection of marches by the famous American composer John Philip Sousa. The album was well-received by critics and helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as a leading interpreter of wind music. Over the years, Cleveland Symphonic Winds has performed at a number of prestigious venues and events. In 1986, the group was invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic, an annual conference for music educators and performers. The ensemble's performance was widely praised, and it helped to raise the group's profile in the music world. In 1991, Cleveland Symphonic Winds embarked on its first international tour, performing in Japan and South Korea. The tour was a major success, and the ensemble received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. The group has since gone on to perform in a number of other countries, including Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. One of the ensemble's most notable performances took place in 1995, when it was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The concert, which was part of the center's Millennium Stage series, featured a program of works by American composers, including Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. The performance was broadcast live on National Public Radio and was widely praised for its energy and virtuosity. In addition to its performances, Cleveland Symphonic Winds has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1993, the ensemble was awarded the Sudler Scroll, which is considered to be the highest honor for wind bands in the United States. The award recognized the group's outstanding contributions to the wind ensemble repertoire and its commitment to musical excellence. In 2001, Cleveland Symphonic Winds was invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic for the second time. The ensemble's performance was once again a major success, and it helped to cement the group's reputation as one of the finest wind ensembles in the world. Following Fennell's death in 2004, the ensemble continued under the direction of conductor and clarinetist Gary Ciepluch. Under Ciepluch's leadership, the group has continued to perform at a high level and has expanded its repertoire to include a wider range of contemporary works. Today, Cleveland Symphonic Winds remains one of the most respected and celebrated wind ensembles in the world.

More....