Sierra Nevada Winds Orchestra

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$4,859 raised by 25 donors

100% complete

$2,500 Goal


In its 33rd season, the Sierra Nevada Winds Orchestra continues to provide high-quality live music for residents of Placer, Sacramento, and Yuba counties. During the pandemic the Winds continued to produce music by creating a series of "At Home Concerts." Band members recorded their parts at home and the resulting recordings were combined to produce the final performance. The Winds returned to live performances in 2022 with a celebration concert in Auburn, in conjunction with the Placer High School Wind Ensemble, and then in Yuba City. Two Children's Concerts for elementary schoolchildren were performed in Marysville November 2022 and two more are scheduled in Roseville in February 2023

Under the direction of Dr. Robert Halseth, Professor of Music and Director of Bands Emeritus, Sacramento State University, the 50-member volunteer ensemble remains one of the region's premier community-based concert bands, drawing on the artistic skills of amateur and semi-professional musicians alike. Many of the Winds members have played with the Sacramento, Camellia, Folsom, and other symphonies, as well as with notable military bands. The Winds are well-known for their varied musical repertoire, and they particularly delight in performing works by contemporary composers.

In December 2015, the Sierra Nevada Winds was awarded the Sudler Silver Scroll from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, North America's most prestigious award for community concert bands. The Silver Scroll seeks to identify, recognize and honor those community bands that have demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years, and which have played a significant and leading role in the cultural and musical environment in their respective communities. The Winds are only the third California-based concert band to be awarded this honor since its inception in 1987.

A key mission of the Winds is fostering and promoting primary and secondary music education in local schools. This has become increasingly important in California, with education budget challenges and resulting cuts to performing arts programs. Many of the ensemble's members are music educators, which provides the group with a direct link to the classroom. When possible, members of the Winds visit music classes to provide free clinics and instruction. In addition, the ensemble performs four sold-out Elementary Children's Concerts per year, Roseville in February 2023 and Marysville in the fall of 2023. The concerts provide many children with exposure to a live performing arts experience not otherwise available.

Private donations allow the Winds to offer complimentary tickets to primary and secondary music students to attend its Fall and Spring concert series and experience live band music. Donations and dues paid by the band members also offset the cost of general liability insurance, conductor fees, rehearsal and concert hall rentals, and other operating expenses.

The group looks forward to their Spring, Fall and Children's Concerts in 2023.

Mission

The Sierra Nevada Winds provides audiences with performances featuring the finest traditional and contemporary wind ensemble music. Programs are chosen to educate, stir the spirit, and provide emotional and intellectual gratification for both musicians and listeners. The SNW aims to enhance music education and live music participation for area youth; expose audiences to a broad range of band and wind ensemble literature; and showcase the musical talent of the area's musicians and music teachers.

Needs

Continue our capital improvement program for $15,000 for new tympani and mallet percussion instruments.

Technology - $3000. Technical and/or in-kind services for recording and disseminating concert recordings.

Sponsorship - $10,000 for performance venue rental fees at a major local concert venue.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Sierra Nevada Winds Orchestra

other names

SNW

Tax id (EIN)

68-0294266

Mission Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Operating Budget

$0-$50,000

Organization Need

Funding: Other, Technology, Funding: Program

Demographics Served

Youth & Children, General population

Counties Served

Placer

Address

513 Main Street
Wheatland, CA 95692

Service areas

Sacramento, CA, US

Placer, CA, US

Yuba, CA, US

Phone

530-305-3532

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