Metropolitan Wind Symphony Annual Report for FY 2009

FY 2009 Annual Report

The mission of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony is to foster the musical education and enjoyment of the public by providing musical performing experiences for talented and interested members of the community, programs for the performance of serious and contemporary wind music, and a channel for the commission and presentation of new musical works.

If success is evidenced by positive feedback, then our thirty-eighth season was a very good one for the Metropolitan Wind Symphony. In this FY 2009 Annual Report I will share some of that feedback along with other noteworthy organizational achievements and artistic milestones.

In November, MWS Music Director, Lewis Buckley carefully selected much of the repertoire from a list of favorites prepared by the members, thus rewarding them for their hard work. Also included during the season were two previously MWS-commissioned works written by internationally-known composers Johan de Meij- The Wind in the Willows- and James Curnow- Four Colonial Country Dances. The centerpiece of the fall concert was one of the all-time great pieces ever written for the concert band, Paul Hindemith's daunting Symphony in Bb. In our conductor's own words prior to the concert: I must tell you that I have been tremendously impressed by the way the MWS has taken to this difficult work. There are few community bands in the country that could rise to the level of this piece, and MWS is more than doing it justice; they are playing it with vitality and intensity. (artistic milestone #1)

In March we featured two guest soloists. Lisa Williamson, mezzo-soprano soloist with the U.S. Coast Guard Band, sang Sandburg Reflections, an original setting of four Carl Sandburg poems for concert band and vocalist, written in 2002 by MWS Music Director, Lewis J. Buckley. Maestro Buckley considers this his finest piece, and the audience and many of the members agree. Ian Smith, our 2009 MWS Concerto Competition Winner, was horn soloist for The Glass Bead Game, by James Beckel. Both Lisa and Ian inspired not only the members but also our audience with their outstanding performances.

The spring concert in May was perhaps the highlight of the season, featuring challenging music, a student outreach program, and two student scholarships. Preview from the Podium captured it best when our music director wrote: For the major work on the program we turn to Ingolf Dahl's masterwork, Sinfonietta. A full-fledged classic concert work for wind ensemble, the Dahl tests the MWS' ability to deal with both ends of the dynamic spectrum, to overcome major technical challenges (you won't believe the unison clarinet passage in the first movement!), and to produce by turns bombast, quiet pastoral passages, intricate dance lines, and the most delicate, airy patterns of aural lace. (artistic milestone #2)

As part of our educational outreach, twenty-one select student musicians from some of the schools where our members teach joined the MWS players on stage to perform three masterworks for concert band: Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst, El Camino Real by Alfred Reed, and Incantation and Dance by John Barnes Chance. This was an experience of a lifetime for them as evidenced by the feedback that we received. Here is a sample: I can't thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to play with the MWS. It was an incredible experience and one I'm positive I'll never forget. Everything was phenomenal; the musicians were not only dedicated and talented at playing their instruments, but overall kind and amazing people. Also, the music was challenging yet fun and enjoyable to play. If anything, this experience has given me a boost of confidence. I was astounded when I first heard the ensemble play, but as time progressed and I was able to blend in with everyone else, I achieved a general feeling of great pride.

Two talented high school seniors received MWS scholarships in May. These scholarships honor high school students with outstanding achievement in music. The recipients were: Steven Feifke, Lexington High School and Matthew Bailey-Adams, Natick High School. Both students will be majoring in music in college and hope to pursue a career in music. These scholarships are greatly appreciated as was noted by one recipient. ...thank you very much, not only for the wonderful opportunity to play with you in your last concert, but also for the scholarship and recognition that you bestowed upon me after my song. The scholarship is greatly appreciated and your words of encouragement will continue to drive me throughout my life.

In June, MWS celebrated the twenty-first anniversary of the Boston Festival of Bands with over 3800 people- the largest audience in nine years. Unknown to MWS, there was a well-known composer in the audience - John Gibson, SMU Creative Director and Resident Composer of the Dallas Wind Symphony. He later wrote to the MWS, sharing his impressions: Thank you so much for your wonderful concert last Saturday. Your band is truly marvelous. I was happy to play a role in the Festival as one of the composers, and I am more than a little jealous of the other new work(s) I heard there, (Mr.) Buckley's among them. Congratulations on a fine organization. Here in Dallas we have considered ourselves to be the center of the Band Universe. After my trip to Boston, I have reported to my cohorts that we need to rethink our self image. Thanks again. John Gibson

Receiving unsolicited positive feedback is always a pleasure, especially when it comes from someone with the musical training to truly judge our artistic achievements. This feedback also inspires us to continue to reach for those elusive milestones which measure artistic growth. As season thirty-eight ends, the organization is financially stable and well-managed. We are cognizant of the negative effects that outside forces such as the economy can play, but with prudent budgeting and generous support from our patrons and members, the MWS has been able to withstand the downturn. The spirit within the organization is at an all-time high, fostered by the positive and caring atmosphere coming from the podium. We are artistically and organizationally strong and that strength is providing the foundation for continued growth.

Submitted by Leslie A. Hansen, MWS President, October 30, 2009

For a roster of MWS Board of Directors and Advisory Board please click here.

To download a PDF of our most recent IRS Form 990 please click here.