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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.
Wind Ensemble
Travel Schedule
Indiana Wesleyan University
Church
Relations Office
4201 South Washington Street
Marion, IN 46953
(765) 677-2113
e-mail:
Church Relations Office |
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