The Cascade Winds Symphonic Band will present the first concert of its 2019-2020 season on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 2:00pm in the Summit High School Auditorium. Admission is free though donations will be accepted. The performance will commence with a fast paced and dramatic work titled “Synergy Rising,” which the composer, Ryan Nowlin, refers to as a work that captures “a myriad of emotions including intense joy and excitement.” The work features the prominent exploits of the percussion section and creative use of the saxophones. (You’ll simply have to come to the concert to find out what that means!) Two non-traditional (non-Sousa) marches will also be heard, the “Little English Girl March” by D. Delle Cese, and Jerry Bilik’s “Block M Concert March,” along with the recently composed and deeply emotional “Until Morning Come” by Andrew Boss. 

“Tanczi” by the noted Belgian composer, conductor and trombone player, Jan Van der Roost, is one of the two large scale works on the concert. Written in the style of traditional Russian folk music, the work expounds on opposites: melancholy versus fiery temperament, virtuosity versus intimate moments, melodic expression versus spicy rhythms. The concluding work is a delightful transcription by Marco Tamanini of George Gershwin’s timeless classic “An American In Paris.” Gershwin himself explains his rhapsodic composition as “the impressions of an American visitor in Paris as he strolls about the city, listens to the various street noises, and absorbs the French atmosphere.” It’s a tour de force for the concert band and will certainly delight listeners of all ages. ​

Do you know a young person who would like to learn more about the instruments used in a Symphonic Band? Would they like a “Golden Ticket” to experience music from the inside of a real Symphonic Band? If so, have we got the opportunity for you!

On Thursday, November 21st, starting at 6:00 pm, The Cascade Winds will be hosting their 2nd Annual Instrument Meet and Greet. Musicians from the Cascade Winds will be in the lobby of Wille Hall (inside the Coats Campus Center) on the campus of Central Oregon Community College to demonstrate their instruments to aspiring musicians and curious kids.

If they have a “Golden Ticket”, at 7:00 PM each participant will be placed beside a Cascade Winds musician and experience what it is like to be in the first 30 minutes of a rehearsal with the Winds. Participants will have the opportunity to talk with musicians, hear what it sounds like to be in the middle of the action, and learn about the instruments used to make the music of the Cascade Winds. Adults will have seating in the room to watch.

To get a “Golden Ticket” and participate, Email Cheri Redgrave. This is a free event.

In conjunction with the Instrument Meet and Greet, the Cascade Winds will also be offering the opportunity for student musicians to schedule private lessons with Winds Players for the low price of $40 for a one hour lesson, with all proceeds going to fund the Winds.

In conjunction with the three Cascade Winds Concerts this season, we will be selling raffle tickets for a beautiful doll house made by one of our musicians, Erik Hoagland.

This gem of a doll house will be on display at our concerts and a representative of the Cascade winds will be selling raffle tickets for $5 each or 3 for $10. A winner will be drawn after our May 31st 2020 concert. The winner will be contacted after the drawing. (Note if the winner can not be contacted after one week, an additional drawing will be held, until a winner comes forward to collect the doll house).

The Cascade Winds would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2019 “Experience the Winds” silent auction. The proceeds will be used by the Cascade Winds Symphonic Band Association to defray the costs of providing high quality symphonic band music for Central Oregon.

There were a few items that did not find a home at the conclusion of the auction so we are conducting a “Second Chance” sale shortly to make sure everyone has a chance to participate. Click here to see the items. Please email us at cheri.redgrave@yahoo.com to arrange purchase of these items. First come, first served until they are gone.