Wind symphony boasts 20 years of performance

Liberty’s vision included music at its founding, and today,  students have a variety of opportunities to worship God through their music. One of these opportunities includes the wind symphony, which remains Liberty’s most acclaimed wind band.

The wind symphony, whose first meeting was over 20 years ago, consists of many talented Liberty students, playing instruments including brass (horns, trumpets, trombones) and woodwinds (flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones). The wind symphony performed for the College Band Directors National Association’s Regional Conference many times and made it all the way to the semi-finals for the American Prize. 

The wind symphony tours almost every year and records albums of its work. While it will not tour this year, previous tours have taken them up and down the East Coast. During last year’s tour, the ensemble stopped at over 10 different cities to perform and experience the various destinations. 

“I’ve been in the wind symphony for four years now,” Grace Zinnicker, a senior in the symphony, said. “My favorite memory would have to be going on tour last year. We traveled down the East Coast, visited Disney and played at multiple schools and churches. I became better friends with the other ensemble members and made some amazing memories during that one week.”

The wind symphony provides students with the opportunity to gather under one shared interest and amplify their talents as one piece of the beautiful whole.

“Everyone in wind symphony is extremely talented and kind,” Zinnicker said. “Members consist of freshman through grad students.”

Although members come from a variety of ages and levels of education, each remains a valuable piece of the symphony. The students play together well in the symphony, all students working as a part of a whole, much like how the instruments they play do.  

Many talented, dedicated and passionate individuals compose the wind symphony, and each strives to become the best musician they can under the director’s careful instruction. While the symphony cultivates a source of great enjoyment for many of its members, the pieces can be difficult to play, and each of the members must work hard for the beauty of the music they create.

The ensemble meets for two hours twice a week. During this time, they pray, warm up, then jump straight into their rehearsal. While the symphony itself plays many pieces, the upcoming concert will feature a combined piece with the University Band.

“The music is challenging, so advanced musicians are needed,”  Zinnicker said. “Members need to practice and know their parts before coming to rehearsal, (but) most of all, have fun while making great music.” 

Stephen Kerr had been the director of this ensemble until he recently passed the title off to Dr. Zachary Bruno, a professor of music. 

The wind symphony offers a source of great joy, awe and wonder for many years to       audience members and spectators. While students come and go, the magnificence of the music has not lessened. The wind symphony has rightfully gained its title as Liberty’s premier wind band.

Whatley is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion