Tempe Wind ensemble plays for the love of it

The Tempe Republic: Giving Back: Wednesday, November 29, 2006

The Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble in its 17th season of enriching the community with free music performmces. The 46-member volunteer ensemble meets weekly to practice under the direction of founder and conductor Michael "Doc " Willson.

When I started the group, I just gathered a handful of professional players that I knew and grew from there Willson said.

The ensemble has become so widely respected among professional wind instrument players that there is a lengthy waiting list to join. Many drive all way from the West Valley to participate. All of the ensemble's volunteers play professionally; some are symphony players and others are music instructors at public schools.

Playing with the ensemble gives the volunteer players an opportunity to give back to the community while honing their skills. The ensemble is composer of wind instruments, such as the clarinet and flute, and brass such as trumpet, trombone and tuba, plus percussion instruments.

Julie Duty, 30, of Gilbert, joined the Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble nine years ago when she graduated from college and wanted to continue her love of the saxophone.

"I really enjoy the chance to play, and this is a great professional organization to be a part of," Duty said.

Don Hassler, 77, a bassoon player and resident of Tempe, agrees. He joined the ensemble 14 years ago because of the reputation of the organization.

"The quality of the other musicians is really high, and the music we play is the best you can get. We have an extremely talented conductor who makes this opportunity possible for us," Hassler said.

The Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble holds three public performances per year in the Boyle Auditorium at McClintock High School in Tempe. Although admission is free, the ensemble relies on donations from the community to pay for the use of the high school auditorium.

The school district charges us several thousand dollars to use the auditorium for our performances. Oue of our biggest problems is gaining recognition since we don't have funds for advertising," Willson said. "But once people hear about us and come, they're hooked."

The ensemble's first performance of the season will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at McClintock High, 1830 E. Del Rio Drive, Tempe.

Kristin Park is a freelance writer. She can be reached at kristinpark@qwest.net.

Upcoming Performances

Concerts at Tempe Center for The Arts

Sunday, November 6, 2011

A Salute to Our Veterans
A Musical Salute to the Veterans of the Armed Forces

7:00 pm

An evening of stirring, patriotic music to honor our service men and women on Veteran’s Day. Selections will include well known marches, fanfares and other audience favorites.

Monday, February 27, 2012

A Young Person's Guide to the Wind Ensemble

7:30 pm

TSWE will feature the solo talents of Albie Micklich, professor of bassoon at Arizona State University. In addition to marches and other audience favorites, TSWE will perform "Yankee Doodling", a work featuring many soloists and all the sections of the wind ensemble.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

TSWE Annual High School Band Festival

Beginning at 6:30 pm

TSWE will host four outstanding high school bands in an evening of superb music. Over 200 of Arizona’s most outstanding high school musicians will perform on stage.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Movies and More

7:30 pm

Great film scores by John Williams, Bruce Broughton, Jerry Goldsmith and others will highlight this evening of exciting and listenable selections. Grab a bag of popcorn and a Coke and enjoy wonderful movie memories.


	Home The Conductor The Musicians Tempe Center for the Arts Awards & Honors Support & Donations Contact Info Tempe Wind ensemble plays for the love of it The Tempe Republic: Giving Back: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 The Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble in its 17th season of enriching the community with free music performmces. The 46-member volunteer ensemble meets weekly to practice under the direction of founder and conductor Michael "Doc " Willson. When I started the group, I just gathered a handful of professional players that I knew and grew from there Willson said. The ensemble has become so widely respected among professional wind instrument players that there is a lengthy waiting list to join. Many drive all way from the West Valley to participate. All of the ensemble's volunteers play professionally; some are symphony players and others are music instructors at public schools. Playing with the ensemble gives the volunteer players an opportunity to give back to the community while honing their skills. The ensemble is composer of wind instruments, such as the clarinet and flute, and brass such as trumpet, trombone and tuba, plus percussion instruments. Julie Duty, 30, of Gilbert, joined the Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble nine years ago when she graduated from college and wanted to continue her love of the saxophone. "I really enjoy the chance to play, and this is a great professional organization to be a part of," Duty said. Don Hassler, 77, a bassoon player and resident of Tempe, agrees. He joined the ensemble 14 years ago because of the reputation of the organization. "The quality of the other musicians is really high, and the music we play is the best you can get. We have an extremely talented conductor who makes this opportunity possible for us," Hassler said. The Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble holds three public performances per year in the Boyle Auditorium at McClintock High School in Tempe. Although admission is free, the ensemble relies on donations from the community to pay for the use of the high school auditorium. The school district charges us several thousand dollars to use the auditorium for our performances. Oue of our biggest problems is gaining recognition since we don't have funds for advertising," Willson said. "But once people hear about us and come, they're hooked." The ensemble's first performance of the season will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at McClintock High, 1830 E. Del Rio Drive, Tempe. Kristin Park is a freelance writer. She can be reached at kristinpark@qwest.net. Upcoming Performances Concerts at Tempe Center for The Arts Sunday, November 6, 2011 A Salute to Our Veterans A Musical Salute to the Veterans of the Armed Forces 7:00 pm An evening of stirring, patriotic music to honor our service men and women on Veteran’s Day. Selections will include well known marches, fanfares and other audience favorites. Monday, February 27, 2012 A Young Person's Guide to the Wind Ensemble 7:30 pm TSWE will feature the solo talents of Albie Micklich, professor of bassoon at Arizona State University. In addition to marches and other audience favorites, TSWE will perform "Yankee Doodling", a work featuring many soloists and all the sections of the wind ensemble. Tuesday, February 28, 2012 TSWE Annual High School Band Festival Beginning at 6:30 pm TSWE will host four outstanding high school bands in an evening of superb music. Over 200 of Arizona’s most outstanding high school musicians will perform on stage. Monday, April 2, 2012 Movies and More 7:30 pm Great film scores by John Williams, Bruce Broughton, Jerry Goldsmith and others will highlight this evening of exciting and listenable selections. Grab a bag of popcorn and a Coke and enjoy wonderful movie memories.

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