SPMS Wind Ensemble
The South Pointe Wind Ensemble is our program's advanced group. It is our only audition-based ensemble that incorporates the most talented musicians across all grade levels at South Pointe to make up one of the most highly regarded middle school bands in California.
Audition Requirements:
Solo, Major Scales (up to four sharps and four flats), Chromatic Scale, and Sight Reading.
Solo, Major Scales (up to four sharps and four flats), Chromatic Scale, and Sight Reading.
- Most auditions are done at the end of May. Special auditions are done at the request of the student at a later time.
- Please see Ms. Willmering if you are interested in auditioning for this ensemble.
- 6th and 7th graders in Wind Ensemble must also be enrolled in their grade level band and 6th graders must be taking private lessons.
Due to the competitive nature of this ensemble, it is highly recommended that the students study privately.
See the Staff page for a list of highly-qualified private teachers. All are professional musicians.
Feel free to email them and set up lessons.
See the Staff page for a list of highly-qualified private teachers. All are professional musicians.
Feel free to email them and set up lessons.
Wind Ensemble Tour History & Highlights:
The South Pointe Wind Ensemble takes a tour each year to various locations. Trips have included college visits, clinics, masterclasses, festival competitions and performances, museum visits, broadway musicals, White House visits, historical tours, formal dinners, and much more. Life skills, college connections and high level opportunities are top priorities for these trips. Members are encouraged to be apart of this “once in a life time” opportunity. Attendance on the trip is not a requirement to be in Wind Ensemble. 2019- Washington DC, Kennedy Center Clinic with: Dr. James McRoy, Long Island University Post Tour: Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Memorial, National Archives, the White House, National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Mount Vernon, African-American Museum, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, Udvar-Hazy Space Museums, Capitol Building, Placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, Dinner Cruise down the Potomac 2018- Carnegie Hall, New York City Clinic with: Curt Ebersole, Westchester Symphonic Winds Tour: City Tour, Top of the Rock, NBC Studio Tour, 911 Memorial, Lunch Cruise around the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Time Square, Greenwich Village Show: Wicked on Broadway 2017- Chicago, Ill, Chicago Symphony Hall University Visited: Northwestern University Clinic with: Dan Farris, She-e Wu- Percussion, Gail Williams- French Horn, Taimur Sullivan- Saxophone, and Peter Boonshaft Tour: City Tour, Museum of Science and Industry, Willis Tower, Cruise on Lake Michigan, Chicago Museum of Art Show: Blue Man Group 2016- Washington DC, Heritage Festivals Concert Tour: The White House Gardens, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Mount Vernon, Smithsonian Museums, Capitol Building 2016- San Jose, Ca- CASMEC Conference (California Music Educators' Conference) Guest Conductors: Rossano Galante (Composer), & Phil Mortensen (VAPA Coordinator for PYLUSD) Guest Soloist: Dr. Timothy Tesh (Trumpet) 2015- Carnegie Hall, New York City Clinic with: Allan McMurray (University of Colorado, Boulder), & Christopher Bush (New York University) Tour: City Tour, Top of the Rock & Radio City Music Hall Show: Lion King 2014- Chicago, Ill, Chicago Symphony Hall Clinic with: She-e Wu (percussion), Steve Cohen (clarinet), Gail Williams (french horn), & Dan Farris (Northwestern University) University visited: Northwestern Guest Conductor: Jon Noworyta Tour: City Tour, Museum of Science & Industry, Willis Tower Show: Blue Man Group 2013- Washington DC, Kennedy Center Clinic with: Anthony Melillo (George Mason University) & Peter Booshaft University visited: George Mason Guest Conductor: Jon Noworyta Toured: The White House Gardens, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Mount Vernon, Smithsonian Museums 2012- Boston, MA, Heritage Festivals Concert Clinic with: Charles Peltz (New England Conservatory), Tom Everett (Harvard University), Sebastian Bonaiuto (Boston College) & Suzanne Nelson (Bassoonist in the Boston Symphony) University visited: Harvard, New England Conservatory & Boston College Tour: Fenway Park, Harvard, Boston Duck Tour, Freedom Trail Tour Show: Blue Man Group 2011- New York, NY, Carnegie Hall University visited: Columbia & Julliard Student Teacher/Guest Conductor: Marie Sato Tour: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral Show: Wicked 2010- Chicago, Ill, Chicago Symphony Hall Clinic with: Ryan Nelson (Northwestern) & Erica Niedlinger (De Paul) University visited: De Paul & Northwestern Tour: City Tour, Museum of Science & Industry, Willis Tower, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium Show: Blue Man Group 2009- Seattle, WA, Heritage Festivals Concert Clinic with: Tim Salzman (Univ of Washington) University visited: University of Washington Tour: Space Needle, Seattle Duck Tour, Underground Tour, Fish Market, Benaroya Hall Show: Cats 2008- New York, NY, Carnegie Hall Clinic with: Virginia Allen (Julliard School of Music) Tour: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral Show: Lion King 2007- Chicago, Ill, Heritage Festivals Concert Clinic with: Ryan Nelson (Northwestern) & Gene Pokorny (Tubist with the Chicago Symphony) University visited: De Paul, Northwestern & Roosevelt University Tour: City Tour, Museum of Science & Industry, Willis Tower Show: Wicked 2006- New York, NY, Carnegie Hall & Boston, MA, Harvard 2005- Orlando, Florida 2004- New York, NY, Carnegie Hall 2003- San Diego 2002- New York, NY, Carnegie Hall 2001- London, England 2000- New York, NY, Carnegie Hall 1999- San Diego, CA |
Upcoming Performances:
Please see the Calendar for a tentative list of rehearsals and performance dates.