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

November 9, 2008

Sunday 7:00 PM

A Veteran’s Day Tribute Saluting our Veterans of the Armed Forces
Tempe Center for the Arts

March 2, 2009

Monday 7:00 PM

Mostly Movies - Featured concert of
The music in the movies
Tempe Center for the Arts

April 7, 2009

Tuesday 7:30 PM

Master Works
Tempe Center for the Arts


	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 November 9, 2008 Sunday 7:00 PM A Veteran’s Day Tribute Saluting our Veterans of the Armed Forces Tempe Center for the Arts March 2, 2009 Monday 7:00 PM Mostly Movies - Featured concert of The music in the movies Tempe Center for the Arts April 7, 2009 Tuesday 7:30 PM Master Works Tempe Center for the Arts

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