Morris Symphonic Winds

09/24/2023

We are retiring this page! UMN Morris Symphonic Winds can now be followed on UMN Morris Music Facebook and Instagram. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551245446949
Thank you!

College & university

04/17/2023

The "Minnesota Wind Collective" is a combined performance between UMN Morris Symphonic Winds and St Cloud State University Wind Ensemble of an exciting program of music to herald spring. Guest saxophone soloist Dr. Preston Duncan will join the ensemble for Iturralde's lively Pequena Czarda.

Simon Tillier, conductor
Catharine Bushman, conductor
Preston Duncan, saxophone

Sunday, April 23, 2023
5pm
Ritsche Auditorium, Stewart Hall
St Cloud State University
720 4th Ave S,
St Cloud, MN 56301

Admission Free

04/17/2023

Atmosphères
Dr. Simon Tillier with the UMN Morris Chamber Orchestra perform Bartok, Britten, Strauss, Faure, and Gregson-Williams

Atmosphere. Color. Imagination.

The UMN Morris Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of Dr. Simon Tillier, explores atmosphere in music with a program of classical and popular pieces from different times and places. Hungarian, child-inspired music contrasts with the much loved Chronicles of Narnia, while a Viennese polka is set beside Elizabethan courtly dance. This performance will embrace your senses and awaken your imagination.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023
7:30pm
University of Minnesota Morris
HFA Recital Hall

Admission Free - donations welcome.

03/03/2023

Visit the Symphonic Winds table in the Student Center today for your ticket to this Sunday's concert and pick up some free candy as well! (available until 3:20pm today).

The ensemble is looking forward to performing this weekend, so show us some love and share our concert online and with your friends!

In case you cannot make it in person the concert will be video webcast live at https://z.umn.edu/Musical-Mavericks-Live-Stream

MUSICAL MAVERICKS
Sunday, March 5, 2023
3-4 pm
HFA Recital Hall
Tickets: Adults $5, Seniors $3, Students / Children $1
Tickets are available at the door

03/02/2023

Symphonic Winds Players warming up before rehearsal, in preparation for their concert this coming Sunday. The performance closes with Adam Gorb's witty "Eine Kleine Yiddish Ragmusik," - with nods to ragtime, Jewish klezmer, and not just a little reference to Mozart! Join us for this exciting performance.

02/21/2023

MUSICALLY MAVERICK

A performance by UMN Morris Symphonic Winds of free-spirited and trendsetting music by composers Gustav Holst - Percy Grainger - Adam Gorb - Samuel Ward - Nathan Daughtrey

Simon Tillier, conductor
Ava Anderson, mezzo-soprano

Sunday, March 5, 2023
University of Minnesota Morris
HFA Recital Hall
Tickets: $5 Adults, $3 Seniors, $1 Students & Children

Refreshments will be served following the performance

04/24/2022

Join Symphonic Winds and Concert Choir this afternoon at 3 pm in Alexandria for our East meets West concert!

This concert will not be live-streamed so this is your last chance to hear Symphonic Winds this semester! Hope to see you in Alexandria!

04/01/2022

Several members of Symphonic Winds are performing in the chamber concert this weekend! Check out selections from our Brass Quintet, Clarinet Quartet, as well as vocal performances from Tonal Eclipse and the University Choir! Join us at 3:00pm this Sunday in the Recital Hall, or watch live with the link below.
https://youtu.be/9aJKrCQEuG4

UMM Chamber Ensemble Tonal Eclipse, the Brass Quintet, and the Clarinet Quartet, join the University Choir to perform a varied program.Program: https://drive...

02/16/2022

UMN Morris Symphonic Winds players are hard at work preparing for our first concert of the semester! We're preparing a program sure to delight and inspire, featuring guest artists on voice, harp, and narration. See the attached program for details!

Image Description: First photo is in the Humanities Fine Arts Building in a rehearsal space. At the front of the room is a conductor. The room is filled with seated wind players including flutes, clarinets, french horns, trumpets and percussion instruments.
Second photo is a poster advertising the concert. In the center it reads "Peace Dancer: A program of wind music to delight and inspire. Music by J.S. Bach, Jodie Blackshaw, Eric Witacre, and Malcolm Arnold" The top of the poster reads "UMN Morris Symphonic Winds. Simon Tillier, Conductor; Ana Miller, Soprano; Athena Kildegaard, Narrator. The bottom of the poster reads: "Sunday, March 6, 2022. 3 pm. UMN Morris HFA Recital Hall. Tickets: Adult - $5, Senior - $3, Students and Children - Free"

04/30/2021

Guess what? That foghorn in the distance is sounding closer and closer...

This week marks the conclusion of Symphonic Winds' YouTube output for the Spring Semester. There are two remarkable performances to share this week, recorded recently with guest faculty and alumni taking part. Both performances will premiere on YouTube today at 7pm.

Make sure to find both links below!

The music is inspiring and entertaining - in fact one is a U.S. premiere performance by composer Martin Ellerby. Listen out for the unique foghorn sounds from a hybrid instrument inspired by contrabass clarinet student Adrienne Kanihan and created by adjunct faculty Mike Odello.

Sinfonia Aqua - Martin Ellerby (U.S. premiere performance)
Six Water Divertimenti In Memoriam for Reciter, Woodwind Ensemble, Foghorn and Bells
UMN Morris Symphonic Winds
Simon Tillier, conductor
Athena Kildegaard, reciter
https://youtu.be/fD8LwlEjmKk

Cavern - Joel Matthys*
Steppin Out, from "Struth!" - Chris Hazell
UMN Morris Symphonic Winds
Simon Tillier, conductor
Ann DuHamel, piano*
Rebecca Heyn, piano*
https://youtu.be/8C_Og8eNao8

Thank you to all the faculty and staff that have contributed to Symphonic Winds this semester and to you for watching and supporting our performances.

Cavern - Joel MatthysSteppin' Out, from Struth! - Chris HazellUMN Morris Symphonic WindsSimon Tillier, conductorAnn DuHamel, pianoRebecca Heyn, piano

04/16/2021

Make sure to stay tuned to our future recordings and keep an eye out for our stand in foghorn!! 📢

04/16/2021

This week's video features the brass and percussion players of Symphonic Winds performing Baroque music by French composer Jean-Joseph Mouret and a 3-movement work by UMM student Robin Whirlwind Soldier.

UMN Morris Brass & Percussion Ensemble
4 Pieces for Brass - Jean-Joseph Mouret
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That - Robin Whirlwind Soldier (student)
Friday, April 16 at 7pm
https://youtu.be/5XNvGanOmGs

4 Pieces for Brass - Jean-Joseph MouretA Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That - Robin Whirlwind Soldier (student)UMN Brass & Percussion Ensemble

04/10/2021

This week players from Symphonic Winds give the first performance of Threnody (2021 version) by Christopher Marshall.

The composer writes, "The word ‘threnody’ comes from the Greek, meaning ‘song of mourning.’ The music memorializes the loss of so many, and the pain experienced by countless others during the years of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-21. Threnody uses a 12-tone theme in a triadic-tonal context." It is an expressive, melodic work that carries an emotional impact.

Threnody (2021) - Christopher Marshall
Friday, April 9, 2021 | 7pm
UMN Woodwind & Percussion Ensemble
University of Minnesota Morris Commission - Premiere Performance
https://youtu.be/Y44uemFXn58

Thank you to all those that watch and support our performances!

Threnody (2021 version) - Christopher MarshallUMN Woodwind and Percussion Ensemble

03/19/2021

This week the saxophone ensemble of Symphonic Winds performs the well-known Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, from J. S. Bach's cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben," BWV 147 ("Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life"). The video can be viewed at the link above.

J. S. Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
UMN Morris Saxophone Ensemble
Friday, March 19, 7pm
https://youtu.be/Y6uHlVI06Gg

Thank you again to all those that continue to watch and support our performances.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J. S. BachUMN Morris Saxophone Ensemble

03/12/2021

This week a select group of Symphonic Winds wind, brass and percussion players are performing a recent work by composer/conductor Giovanni Santos, based at la Sierra University, California. "Aphelion" is the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid or comet at which it is furthest from the sun. The work is inspired by diverse composers and musicians such as Coltrane, Holst and Piazzola.

Giovanni Santos - Aphelion (2020)
Friday, March 12, 7pm
https://youtu.be/OLdlrjwy4Cw

Thank you to all those that watch and support our performances!

Aphelion (2020) - Giovanni SantosUMN Morris Symphonic WindsSimon Tillier, conductorRebecca Heyn, piano

03/05/2021

As part of our regular musical offerings this semester, this week Symphonic Winds players are performing two well-known pieces arranged for brass ensemble.

George Frideric Handel - "Hallelujah Chorus" from the Messiah
Traditional - Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Friday, March 5, 2021 | 7pm
https://youtu.be/_MCfF1v-YuY

Thank you to all those that watch and support our performances.

George Frideric Handel - "Hallelujah Chorus" from the MessiahTraditional - Just a Closer Walk with TheeUMN Morris Brass EnsembleSimon Tillier, conductor

02/26/2021

As part of our regular musical offerings this semester, this week Symphonic Winds is streaming a delightfully melodic piece by Philip Sparke. Philip Sparke (b. 1951) is a British composer noted for his brass band and concert band music. This overture was commissioned by the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust, an educational organisation based in the south of England.

Overture for Woodwinds - Philip Sparke
Starting Friday, February 26 | 7pm CST
https://youtu.be/tJANVCjkTPQ

We hope that you continue to enjoy these series of musical offerings!

Philip Sparke - Overture for WoodwindsUMN Morris Woodwind EnsembleSimon Tillier, conductor

02/19/2021

As part of our regular musical offerings this semester Symphonic Winds is streaming two short pieces for brass from seventeenth century composers tonight at 7pm. Next week players from the ensemble will perform Overture for Woodwinds by Philip Sparke.

TRUMPET TUNE & AYRE - Henry Purcell
FANFARE RONDEAU - Jean-Joseph Mouret
Starting Friday, February 19 | 7pm CST
https://youtu.be/x5Zzegy_Qoc

We hope that you continue to enjoy these series of musical offerings!

Henry Purcell - Trumpet Tune and AyreJean-Joseph Mauret - Fanfare RondeauUMN Morris Brass EnsembleSimon Tillier, conductor

02/12/2021

Symphonic Winds continues to be active and is busy rehearsing and recording a variety of music for the wider campus and local community to enjoy! We hope to bring you short performances via YouTube on a regular basis throughout the semester. This week, we are streaming an upbeat work by Arizona composer Patrick Glenn Harper for woodwinds and percussion. Next week will be the turn of the brass ensemble, performing some well-known pieces from the Renaissance.

EXCURSION, for woodwind and percussion ensemble - Patrick Glenn Harper
Starting Friday, February 12 | 7pm CST
https://youtu.be/6qvd5y5zDGI

Follow the link above to the UMM YouTube channel. We hope that you enjoy these series of musical offerings.

Excursion (2014) - Patrick Glenn HarperUMN Morris Woodwind EnsembleSimon Tillier, conductor

10/17/2020

While we won’t be touring in the spring like we expected, Symphonic Winds is still fundraising to support students on whatever our next tour will be! We are offering to help people in the community with fall yard clean up! If you do not want to go through all the hassle of having a clean yard contact the Symphonic Winds today!

10/05/2020

Join us as we celebrate UMN Morris Homecoming 2020 this week.

- Symphonic Winds: Keeping music playing at Morris
A behind-the-scenes video showing what the ensemble has been doing this semester, and a performance of their 2018 commissioned work "IceMelt" by composer Jenni Watson. Created by Jay Grammond
https://youtu.be/49Ryow1jQNc

- The Minnesota Rouser performed by Symphonic Winds
https://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/miscpubs/18/

- Symphonic Winds Reunion on Wednesday October 7, 7-8pm CST
Join us for chat - Simon Tillier and a selection of students from Symphonic Winds look forward to meeting alumni for a light-hearted gathering and to catch up on the latest news.
https://z.umn.edu/SymphonicWindsReunion

Celebrate Homecoming 2020 and the 60th anniversary of UMN Morris from the comfort of your own home! The 2020 Homecoming and 60th anniversary celebration for UMN Morris are finally here! The full and final schedule is below, with new events and details added. All events and content, whether live or a...

10/01/2020

The Woodwind Orchestra and Brass and Percussion Choir of Symphonic Winds continue to rehearse in preparation for recording performances for streaming later in the semester. Last week Jay Grammond visited us to take some pictures of the group in action.

Look out for our pre-recorded video as part of UMN Morris Homecoming 2020!

Jay Grammond
https://www.jgrammondphotography.com/

UMN Morris Homecoming 2020 Information
https://morris.umn.edu/looking-back-leading-forward-homecoming-2020

09/14/2020

Missing your annual pumpkin trip this year? Since we couldn’t have our usual Symphonic Winds retreat, Simon made a trip up to Inspiration Point for some different scenery... and of course a stop to see the pumpkins!

If you have any favorite photos or memories from past retreats, comment and share them below!

09/08/2020

Symphonic Winds, like all of us, has needed to adapt to the current pandemic. However, with some creative planning we are meeting the challenge head on while embracing the new social distancing guidelines and ways of working.

This semester, in order to meet the limitations of our rehearsal spaces, the ensemble is divided in two: a woodwind and percussion orchestra; and a brass and percussion choir. While the latter is a conventional instrumental format, the former is an emerging medium.

The pandemic has affected the livelihood of many musicians and composers, and, given the ensemble's collaborative and interdisciplinary past performances, conductor Simon Tillier particularly wanted to support living composers and the many fine instrumentalists associated with Symphonic Winds. We have commissioned new and adapted works from Jenni Watson and Christopher Hussey, alongside other fantastic repertoire by Adam Gorb, William Rimmer, Alexandre Guilmant, Mark Bassey, and Ernesto Lecuona. We are also working on bringing regional guest artists to collaborate with the ensemble.

These initiatives have enabled Symphonic Winds to develop a distinctive approach to the current situation, and, in so doing, will provide students with new and interesting musical experiences.

The ensemble hopes to be able to film and stream their performances to the campus and wider community online later in the fall. We know it's not the same as being able to attend a live performance, but we hope it will stop all of us feeling quite so far apart.

07/21/2020

AUDITION INFORMATION 2020

Audition Schedule:
Tuesday, August 18, 2:00-5:30 PM

- First year students and those who have not played in a UMN Morris instrumental ensemble before are required to audition.
- Existing students are not required to audition but should make sure they are registered to ensure a place in an ensemble.
- If a student feels unable to attend an audition in person due to health concerns they may submit an audio or video performance by email.

Further information about ensembles and auditions can be found here. (https://academics.morris.umn.edu/symphonic-winds/audition-information)

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, instrumental ensembles are still being finalized. Given the limitations on classroom sizes it is important that students register in plenty of time to ensure they have a place in the ensemble of their choice.

Symphonic Winds will be meeting as two discrete ensembles:
1) Woodwind & Percussion Orchestra
2) Brass & Percussion Choir

We are delighted to be performing works by composers Christopher Hussey, Jenni Watson, Adam Gorb, William Rimmer, Alexandre Guilmant, Mark Bassey, and Ernesto Lecuona.

05/05/2020

We were so honored to record Jenni Watson’s States of Matter one year ago today!

We really hope that we have the opportunity to bring Jenni back to Morris sometime in the future!

Thank you again for all of your work Jenni Watson - Performer/Composer!

"States of Matter" for Wind Orchestra: mvt i - 'The Great Acceleration' Commissioned (2018) & performed (2019) by the University of Minnesota Morris Symphoni...

04/10/2020

Virtual Symphonic Winds! We may not be making any music the rest of the semester, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t get together and have fun!

02/14/2020

You know what they say, the bigger the baton, the better the conductor!

Simon is having lots of fun representing UMM at this year’s Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic!

12/04/2019

Come see the show! Saturday at 5:30 and 7PM in Edson Auditorium!

11/08/2019

We had a great time last Friday with our annual pumpkin carving night followed by our Life In The Groove concert on Sunday! A huge thank you to Milt Allen, our fabulous guest conductor! We appreciate all that you taught us that a short amount of time!

11/01/2019

Hey! We are having another bake sale again today! It is at the student center from 10-3! Come check it out and buy yourself some delicious goodies!!!🍪🍪🍪

10/29/2019

We are so excited that the renowned conductor and clinician Milt Allen is here in Morris to work with us this week! Don't forget to come check out our concert this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Morris Area Elementary School Concert Hall. It is free admission!

10/27/2019

We had a fun weekend with our chamber performance at Common Ground Coffeehouse in Alexandria! Thank you to the coffeehouse staff for hosting us and everyone who came out to show their support! We also enjoyed some beautiful weather for our fall leaf raking fundraiser!

10/20/2019

A beautiful day for leaf raking! Contact [email protected] if you live in Morris and would like your yard rakes for a reasonable price! Proceeds go towards our upcoming Ireland tour!

10/04/2019

Last week we got to show our U of M pride by recording the Minnesota Rouser! Go Cougars!! 🏈

09/23/2019

Hey! The Symphonic Winds is having a fundraiser for our 2021 Ireland/Scotland Tour. We are offering to help people in the community with fall yard clean up! If you do not want to go through all the hassle of having a clean yard contact the Symphonic Winds today!

09/20/2019

Are you ready? We are! Join us tomorrow at 4PM in the HFA recital hall for our Homecoming Concert!

09/20/2019

Bake sale!! Stop by the student center today until 3PM to get some delicious baked goods that will help fund our next tour!

09/15/2019

We had so much fun at Inspiration Point!

08/26/2019

Here are our upcoming events for the season! More information coming soon.

Auditions for Symphonic Winds will be held:

Tuesday, August 27th from 2-5PM
Wednesday, August 28th from 2-4PM

Sign up outside of HFA 180 for an audition time!

We are so excited for what this year will bring!