Conducted by Dr. Reed Thomas, the Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble is the premier performing ensemble for wind, brass, and percussion students at the university. Members are selected through audition each semester and comprise the best musicians at MTSU. The ensemble explores the vast range of the wind repertoire by utilizing a flexible instrumentation approach where the repertoire dictates the number of players for each piece. The ensemble is dedicated to performing outstanding and challenging works of diverse musical styles while furthering wind music of artistic and historical significance. Performing three to five concerts each semester, they also tour extensively throughout the region and overseas. The Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the outstanding university ensembles in the country and abroad having performed on concert tours of South Korea, China, Costa Rica, and Panama. Membership is open to all MTSU students and is based upon successful audition. Audition and further information can be found by visiting the MTSU band website at www.mtsubands.com.
Having commissioned more than 60 new works for winds since 2003, the MTSU Wind Ensemble Commissioning Project has enlisted such composers as Nigel Clarke, Jesus Santandreu, Kit Turnbull, Jessie Montgomery, David Rose, David Maslanka, Jonathan Newman, Jeffery Brooks, Edson Beltrami (Brazil), Anthony Plog, D.J. Sparr, Peter Fischer, Jamey Simmons, Todd Coleman, Robert Bradshaw, and Michael Linton. Soloists who have performed with this ensemble include, Jens Lindemann (Trumpet), Steve Houghton (Percussion), Eddie Daniels (Clarinet), Jennifer Gunn (Flute), Jonathan Gunn (Clarinet), Sandra Arndt (Piano), She-e Wu (Marimba), Peter Skaevard Sheppard (Violin), Gilbert Long (Tuba), John Gilbert (Violin), David Loucky (Trombone), Michael Arndt (Trumpet), Don Aliqou (Saxophone), Jamey Simmons (Trumpet), Maya Stone (Bassoon) Todd Waldecker (Clarinet), George Riordan (Oboe), Deanna Little (Flute), Angela DeBoer (Horn), James Douglas (Piano), Laura Ann Ross (Oboe), Song, Inguck (Conductor, S. Korea), and Kim, Yeoung-Du (Conductor, S. Korea).
Graduates of the MTSU Wind Ensemble have pursued graduate degrees at other major universities throughout the country, have held positions in symphony orchestras and several of the premier military bands, and are exceptional conductors, teachers and performers in public and private schools and colleges throughout the world.
Flute
Molly Clayton *
Olivia Guthier
Chelsea Liu
Jonathan Oldham
Grace Whitten
Oboe/English Horn
Cadee Havard *
Will King
Kayla Ownby
Clarinet
Yassin Adams
Ethan Bullock
J’Niya Challenger
Amanda Greene
Colin Miller
Sam O’Hare *
Sophia Saavedra
Lukas Sharp
Christina Vongsiharath
Bassoon
James Orme
Mario Puentes
Jake Salter *
Saxophone
Ethan Broome
Dawson Campbell
Ben Earl *
Chloe Fuller
Horn
Dinu Fedur *
Aaron Goff
Perry Herrington
November Varden
Brent Webb
Cornet/Trumpet
Donavon Hamlett *
Will Hicks
Wyatt Murphy
Connor Primm
Isaac Swinney
Alex Vinson
Trombone
Jocelyn Bullock
Mitchell Elmore
Reilly Harris
Ryan Hungerpiller *
Euphonium
Shawn Bennett *
Henry Wright
Tuba
Justin Averill *
Matty Travis
String Bass
Maddie Sanders
Piano
Alex Vinson
Harp
Claire Cifonie *
Percussion
Samuel Brooke
Joseph Flores
Josue Garza
Christian Kilgore *
Angel Soto
Brady Welch
* Denotes Section Leader