Metropolitan Wind Symphony, Inc. (MWS)

CONTACT:

62 Mossdale Road
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
781-826-8637
www.mws-boston.org

Leslie A. Hansen, President

DESCRIPTION:

In the late ‘60s, alumni of the Newton High School Band used to gather in their former director Jerry Gardner’s kitchen, to reminisce and imagine how great it would be if the band played on. In 1971 Jerry did it, and thirty-six years later MWS is one of the nation’s leading bands. On Wednesday evenings 70 volunteers rehearse for 4-10 performances attracting 22,000 avid listeners annually. Featured soloists include principal players from the BSO and nationally distinguished bands, and MWS’ high school musicianship award winners. In 1982 an anonymous donor created an endowment for commissioning new works, which has financed 19 new compositions. In 1989 MWS launched an annual Boston Festival of Bands, which performs every June in Faneuil Hall, attracting bands from New England to the mid-Atlantic States and Canada. MWS’ new Artistic Director is Lewis Buckley, who for 29 years led the world-renowned U.S. Coast Guard Band. But MWS is still primarily run the old-fashioned way—by volunteers. The instrumentalists are volunteers; the Board handles administration—including marketing, fund-raising, budget, finance, and communications. The Mass Cultural Council has supported them for 29 years, but the rest comes from individual patrons—like you. Haven’t you always wanted to join a band?

(2007: CULTURE: Arts: Performing: Music)