Encore Wind Ensemble, a group of 38 musicians from the Twin Cities, begins its 20th season presenting traditional and contemporary masterworks for band in a free concert Sunday, October 23, 3:00 PM at
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, Minnesota 55115.
They will be joined by Bill Chouinard, playing St. Andrew’s superb Cassavant organ.
Encore Wind Ensemble’s past and future will be celebrated with a program of significant works it has performed previously, new works, and audience favorites. The variety of musical periods and styles represented will appeal to all ages and pallets. Audience members and musicians will be able to continue the celebration after the concert with light refreshments in the church narthex. At its inception in 1996, the goal of Encore’s founder, Charles B. Olson, was to create an ensemble that would reach the highest standards of wind band performance. Over the years, Encore has earned a reputation as "an exceptional musical organization with the highest musical standards….a collection of outstanding musicians that perform with dedication, feeling, as well as a sense of duty to the community". (Jack Stamp)
Currently under the direction of Jerry Luckhardt, Encore exists as a professional-level ensemble which promotes band as an art form, as well as to encourage lifelong learning opportunities in music. Encore also advocates for music education in schools by performing with and for student musicians and by the creation of the Charles B. Olson Young Composers Contest. Finally, Encore serves as a venue for artistic and professional development among music educators.
