Music

Carthage Wind Orchestra & Concert Band

History

The Carthage College Wind Orchestra — one of the oldest college bands in the United States — was established as a brass band in 1873 under the leadership of Prof. J.M. Helfrich. From its humble beginnings as a six-piece brass ensemble, the group has been subsequently been known as the "Concert Band," "Symphonic Band," "Symphonic Wind Ensemble," and "Wind Symphony" during its tenure of 136 years.

Brass band 1873

Distinguished conductors to lead the band were J.Q.A. Kimmell, Elmer Hanke, Merrill Brown, Woodrow Hodges, and Kenneth Winkle. The band has a long and honored history of service to Carthage College and the artistic life of the communities of Kenosha, Wis., and Carthage, Ill. The band has also maintained a rich tradition in touring the Midwest.

The Carthage band claims as one of its most outstanding alumni the composer David Uber, who maintains a repository of his music in Hedberg Library. A series of important events celebrated the 130th anniversary of the band in 2003. These included the band's first tour to Japan, as well as a Midwestern tour, the premiere of a commissioned work (Palimpsest by Keith Carpenter), and the band's first CD.

The CD Winds a la Carte was released in 2007. The CD Think on These Things is scheduled for release in 2010.

In May 2007 the Wind Orchestra premiered a new work for winds by German composer Matthias Kern. In 2008 the Wind Orchestra premiered a new edition of Howard Hanson's Pan and the Priest for chamber winds with Debbie Masloski as piano soloist. Several recent commissions will be performed in 2009-2011.