Sierra Nevada Winds Orchestra

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. Children's Concerts for elementary schoolchildren were presented in Roseville and Marysville in 2023 and in Marysville in 2024.

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 one of only three California-based concert bands 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 sold-out elementary school Children's Concerts in Roseville and Marysville. 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, guest artists, rehearsal and concert hall rentals, percussion equipment and other operating expenses.

The group looks forward to their Spring, Fall and Children's Concerts in 2024.