Wind Ensemble

The Indiana Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Flanagin and Dr. Chris Lessly, strives to present the finest level of performance and ministry through concert band and wind ensemble literature. Membership in this ensemble represents a wide spectrum of majors. The ensemble plays literature spanning from the Baroque era to contemporary wind band literature, hymn arrangements and lighter works including jazz and Broadway styles.

The concept of the Wind Ensemble was developed in the mid-'50s by conductor and musician Frederick Fennell. Fennell organized the Eastman Wind Ensemble at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. This group played concert band literature but used only one instrumentalist per part, Rarely did two instruments plan the same music. Using this idea, Fennell and the Eastman Wind Ensemble recorded numerous band works, and these recordings are still the most important part of a wind band conductor's library. The wind ensemble concept became more popular through the'50s and '60s and continues in popularity today.

Over the years, the Indiana Wesleyan University Division of Music has sent instrumental groups on tour as the instrumental ambassadors of the university. Group such as "Dimensions in Brass" led by Professor Jerry Franks (later called "Brass Dimensions"), focused on sacred brass choir literature. Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Lessly founded the IWU Wind Ensemble in 1995, and it soon became the premiere touring instrumental ensemble of the university. Within the group there are numerous chamber groups including a brass quintet, woodwind quintet and a saxophone quartet.

Each year the Wind Ensemble prepares for several performances on the Marion campus, and many regularly scheduled concerts throughout the Midwest, as well as a week long spring tour during IWU's spring break. Past tours have included New York, North Carolina and Florida.

The Wind Ensemble hits the road two weekends in the fall, and two weekends again in the spring. In addition, the group makes a larger trip during spring break, which is in early March each year. Each year the group likes to visit new places, so if you would like to schedule IWU's Wind Ensemble for your church or special event, contact our office as far in advance as possible. The dates quickly fill up.