ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, January 30, 2015 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The modern wind-band has a relatively short history in comparison to much of its classical music brethren. Unlike the choral area and orchestral area the wind band developed much later historically. In fact much of the finest music for wind bands has been composed in the past 75 years. The relative infancy of this sort of ensemble may be a major reason as to why there are only a handful of truly professional wind bands in America. This is disappointing as the wind band has a vast array of sounds and possibilities which has the ability to enrich, inspire and move people. The Great Lakes Wind Symphony was founded this past June as both an avenue to promote the modern wind ensemble in the United States and a means to provide professional opportunities for musicians. These opportunities are in scarce supply and this symphony represents a tremendous benefit to the professional musical community.

The modern wind ensemble is a smaller wind band made up of only the finest players. Its design forces performers to be extraordinary as there is normally only one player per part. This leaves the musicians highly exposed as their individual performances are very impactful and must be precise. The Great Lakes Wind Symphony holds true to having one player per part with the exception of flutes and clarinets where there is some doubling of players in order to balance out the bass and percussion sections. Existing as a professional organization comes with its own responsibilities and expectations. The Great Lakes Wind Symphony can and should be expected to perform professional literature very well. To that end the symphony not only maintains the instrumentation of a modern wind ensemble but has also invited members from as far away as Texas to perform with them. The symphony strives to be compared with the best orchestras in the country.

The primary goal of the Great Lakes Wind Symphony is to celebrate American culture through the use of exceptional American music. This group of nearly 50 musicians performs on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments and incorporates the piano, harp and string bass depending on the piece. Their composition stands on its own and fills a niche for classical music which does not directly compete with the orchestra or choir. As uniquely American musical entertainment the symphony is dedicated to performing music of notable and promising American composers. This means playing the finest music available to the modern American wind ensemble. In a symbiotic relationship, wind bands are a welcome opportunity for composers to perform new music as they are modern and have less ties to a traditional and conservative stance.

The Great Lakes Wind Symphony is a subsidiary of B&P Music Productions. Business partners Adam Brennan and Ryan Pritchard envisioned the symphony and recognized the need for more top quality wind bands in America. Adam F. Brennan holds several degrees including a doctoral degree in instrumental conducting. He has been Director of Bands and Percussion Studies at Mansfield University since 1995. In the past 25 years Dr. Brennan has created recordings and compositions which have been deemed Grammy eligible. He is now leading the Great Lakes Wind Symphony as its conductor and artistic creator. Much like Adam, Ryan Pritchard holds several musical degrees including a master’s degree in instrumental conducting. Ryan now serves as the assistant conductor of the symphony and its business manager. This project is reliant on the extensive experience of both men as educators, conductors and businessmen. Progress has already been made. The organization has already built a strong relationship with the Rochester Association for the Performing Arts. They have also secured a home at the Kodak Center for the Performing Arts which represents Rochester’s largest stage.

In order to help launch the operation of the symphony a four concert Best Test is currently underway. The next concert will be on Saturday, February 7th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available now at their website . There is also a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in place until February 20th in order to help the symphony maintain financial stability at this crucial early stage of their existence. For a crowdfunding donation of 35 dollars funders will receive a receipt which will act as a ticket. This receipt may be presented at any concert for admission and, in addition, funders will receive digital access to the recording of two concerts by the group.

About:

Business partners and longtime musical professionals Dr. Adam F. Brennan and Ryan Pritchard have strived to create the Great Lakes Wind Symphony (www.greatlakeswindsymphony.com). This symphony fills a much needed role as a top quality American modern wind ensemble. There is a four concert Beta Test in place and a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in order to support the symphony in its infancy.

Adam Brennan
The Great Lakes Wind Symphony
www.greatlakeswindsymphony.com
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