Westchester Symphonic Winds Celebrates 30 Years

In 1988, two New Rochelle High School graduates who missed playing in their high school concert band, Rachel Eckhaus and Robert LaPorta, convinced their former band director Jim Wayne to help them form a group in Westchester. So began the Hudson Valley Wind Symphony, which – now known as Westchester Symphonic Winds (WSW) – has grown to 66 players. The adult community-based wind and percussion ensemble is now set to celebrate its rich 30-year history with a concert on May 12.

Members of WSW, many musically trained, represent diverse backgrounds and vocations. Tuba player Chris Carbone is an attorney by day. English horn player Dr. Emily Harrison is a large animal veterinarian. With a dedication to learning challenging and rewarding music, they “band” together over a love of the concert band experience.

WSW’s current Conductor and Music Director, Curt Ebersole, recently reflected on the group’s accomplishments. Among them, a performance at Lincoln Center, four years of sold-out Independence Day concert performances at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, and the new practice of inviting guest soloists and conductors to participate in their three annual concerts. He said: “In my experience, the best bands invite the best guests. That’s the kind of tradition I want to establish. When we align ourselves with national standards, we’re setting ourselves up for the best experience.“ On May 12, the group will play at Tarrytown Music Hall, where WSW is the ensemble-in-residence. In addition to Ebersole, three guest conductors and a guest alto saxophonist will join the celebration, during which a fanfare composed by Patrick J. Burns in honor of the group’s anniversary will be performed.

Ebersole also looked toward WSW’s future goals, which are meant to enrich WSW’s members and its community: raising money to purchase percussion equipment instead of renting; commissioning composers with the aim of premiering a new work; and continuing its educational outreach program in order to demonstrate to students of all ages that a love of music can extend into adulthood. For more info, visit westchestersymphonicwinds.org.

Photo caption: Curt Ebersole (photo courtesy of Westchester Symphonic Winds)

A version of this article first appeared in the May issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.