About Pacific Symphony Wind Ensemble
Established in 2007, Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE) made its debut under the direction of Michael J. Corrigan, the well-known music educator and recipient of the “Band Educator of the Year” award from the California Music Educators Association, with support from Larry Woody and the Woody Youth Fund. In 2009, Joshua Roach of the Thornton School of Music at USC was appointed music director. Under Roach’s direction and unique enthusiasm, and with the artistic guidance of Pacific Symphony’s renowned music director, Carl St.Clair, PSYWE quickly became the premier youth wind ensemble in Orange County. The 2014-15 season inaugurated the tenure of current music director Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore. Under Dr. Whitmore’s visionary leadership, PSYWE has undertaken numerous commissions and world premieres, and continues to explore new music initiatives.
In 2016-17, PSYWE celebrated its 10th anniversary season, culminating in a tour to Austria and the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, where PSYWE took first prize in its category, with performances in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the MuTh Concert Hall, and Vienna’s legendary Konzerthaus.
Representing over 28 schools in the SoCal region, PSYWE offers performance opportunities to instrumentalists in grades 9-12 and is one of four youth ensembles offered by Pacific Symphony’s Youth Ensembles program. PSYWE provides members with an advanced and innovative artistic experience and encourages musical and personal growth through the art of performance. Each season students enjoy interactions with Maestro Carl St.Clair, guest artists and composers, and professional musicians of Pacific Symphony. Students also engage in an annual weekend retreat and are offered free and discounted tickets to Pacific Symphony performances throughout the season.
Each season, PSYWE presents a three-concert series. Performances are presented at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.