Conductor: Dr. Robert Hansbrough
Membership: 50+ woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians
Auditions: Early June
Rehearsals: Weekly on Sunday afternoons
NYSSMA Level: Generally 4-5
ESYO Wind Orchestra invites woodwind, brass, and percussion players to discover the brilliance, majestic resonance, and sonic power of wind music. Wind Orchestra uniquely brings together emerging, intermediate, and advanced musicians to perform a wide variety of literature, including original wind ensemble pieces, commissioned works, iconic marches, chamber music, and transcriptions of popular orchestral works.
The focus of training is concentrated on performance standards, tone production, precision, musicality, individual and group style, and practice habits. Wind Orchestra provides emerging musicians, who’ve been playing their instrument for several years, the support they need to expand their ensemble experience and serves as a bridge to a full symphony experience. The brass and wind sections alternate weekly to engage in a 30-minute sectional rehearsal.
The ensemble gives several concerts a year and performs on regional stages including the Massry Center for the Arts at the College of St. Rose, Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College, Proctors, and the legendary Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. In August 2018, ESYO Wind Orchestra toured Hungary by invitation at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Festival in Makó, Hungary.