WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR MAILING LIST?
ABOUT US
Birmingham Symphonic Winds was established in 1992 by its Musical Director, Keith Allen, with the aim to meet the demands of players in the area wanting to perform with a high quality wind ensemble. Since then it has gained both a national and international reputation as one of the leading wind ensembles of is kind in the UK.
The 45-strong orchestra is made up of players living and working in and around Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, whilst others travel from different parts of the UK to participate with the ensemble. BSW has received numerous accolades for its performances spanning the last 16 years. These include a Gold Award at the Finals of the National Concert Band Festival and gala concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in both 1999 and 2004. BSW has represented the UK on several occasions including WASBE Conferences (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) in Schladming, Austria and Killarney, Ireland and at the 4th International Wind Band Festival in Strasbourg, gaining first prize. In December 2003 BSW promoted British contemporary wind orchestra repertoire and represented Birmingham on the world stage by becoming the first ever British ensemble to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, playing to an audience of over 2,000 and in 2007 the ensemble performed at the opening concert of the Musik Triennale Koln in front of Cologne Cathedral.
BSW aims to promote enterprise and excellence through its performances, and promotes its own themed concert series at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham – home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. These concerts have included distinguished soloists such as Alison Balsom (trumpet), Craig Ogden (guitar) and Sarah Williamson (clarinet).
BSW prides itself on its quality and variety of programming, with a strong dedication to the creation and performance of contemporary works for wind orchestra. Recently commissioned works include Whirlegigg by Kenneth Hesketh (2004), The Canticle of The Sun for solo percussion and wind ensemble by Martin Ellerby (2006) and Divertimento by Guy Woolfenden (2007).
2008 saw the recording of the second CD in the series Premieres and Encores and the creation of Shakespeare Pictures by Nigel Hess - the third work in BSW’s five-year commissioning project.
Birmingham Symphonic Winds is delighted to be supported by Horton’s Estate Ltd.
The 45-strong orchestra is made up of players living and working in and around Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, whilst others travel from different parts of the UK to participate with the ensemble. BSW has received numerous accolades for its performances spanning the last 16 years. These include a Gold Award at the Finals of the National Concert Band Festival and gala concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in both 1999 and 2004. BSW has represented the UK on several occasions including WASBE Conferences (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) in Schladming, Austria and Killarney, Ireland and at the 4th International Wind Band Festival in Strasbourg, gaining first prize. In December 2003 BSW promoted British contemporary wind orchestra repertoire and represented Birmingham on the world stage by becoming the first ever British ensemble to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, playing to an audience of over 2,000 and in 2007 the ensemble performed at the opening concert of the Musik Triennale Koln in front of Cologne Cathedral.
BSW aims to promote enterprise and excellence through its performances, and promotes its own themed concert series at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham – home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. These concerts have included distinguished soloists such as Alison Balsom (trumpet), Craig Ogden (guitar) and Sarah Williamson (clarinet).
BSW prides itself on its quality and variety of programming, with a strong dedication to the creation and performance of contemporary works for wind orchestra. Recently commissioned works include Whirlegigg by Kenneth Hesketh (2004), The Canticle of The Sun for solo percussion and wind ensemble by Martin Ellerby (2006) and Divertimento by Guy Woolfenden (2007).
2008 saw the recording of the second CD in the series Premieres and Encores and the creation of Shakespeare Pictures by Nigel Hess - the third work in BSW’s five-year commissioning project.
Birmingham Symphonic Winds is delighted to be supported by Horton’s Estate Ltd.
