The Fort Collins Wind Symphony is a 45 member adult symphonic wind ensemble with membership drawn from the northern Colorado region. The organization has a 16 year history and is known and respected for its musical excellence, leadership, membership continuity and service to music education.


     Mr. Steve McNeal, the Fort Collins Wind Symphony musical director, is retired from the Poudre School District (Ft. Collins CO), having taught for 36 years, and currently is the Colorado State University orchestra assistant conductor. Steve continues a schedule as a nationally recognized music lecturer and guest conductor.

 

     The Fort Collins Wind Symphony was established in 1991 with the intent of bringing the symphonic repertoire of the wind band to life for the music lovers of northern Colorado. The instrumentation of the Wind Symphony comes from a modified format established by Frederic Fennell and the Eastman Wind Ensemble. In this concept, each instrument has only the minimum number needed to realize the composer's intent. Certain instruments are doubled in order to provide the best possible performance. The musicians that fill these 45 spots are regional musicians that have been accepted into the Wind Symphony by audition. All are professionally active and contribute to the very high standard of excellence of the ensemble.

     The Fort Collins Wind Symphony performs three regular season concerts each year. In addition, smaller sub-sets of the group (i.e. the Wind Symphony Brass Choir), perform various concerts throughout the year.

In 2000 the ensemble was selected by audition to perform for the national convention of the American School Band Directors Association conference held in Aspen Colorado.
 

     The membership represents many professional backgrounds. Approximately 2/3 are professionally trained and have received degrees in music or music education. The entire membership represents a diverse set of occupations including teachers, business owners, postal workers, computer engineers, carpenters and medical professionals. All of our members volunteer their time to the organization and range in age from 20 to over 65.

Mission

The Fort Collins Wind Symphony's mission is deeply rooted in the encouragement of involvement in music for people at all stages of life. The Wind Symphony's mission is to be a leader in performance and music education while discovering the finest literature written and adapted for the wind band.

• To make a substantial contribution to the musical life of our members and patrons
   
• To give our audiences memorable performance experiences with the highest quality wind music in a wide range of musical styles
   
• To assist in the music education of young people - the future generation of adult musicians -  through the presentation of concerts, clinics and open rehearsals
   
• To provide our members with an opportunity for musical expression, growth and fellowship

 Support

     The Fort Collins Wind Symphony receives the bulk of its funding from local granting agencies and foundations including Fort Fund, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, the Cindy Haraway Boomer Foundation and the Davidson Fund. The Wind Symphony gratefully acknowledges the support of individual donors and the City of Fort Collins. 

     The Wind Symphony would also like to recognize their long-standing relationship with the Poudre School District and Colorado State University.