Blog
The latest news and updates from Maidstone Wind Symphony.
Open Rehearsal - Tuesday, 10 March
26th February 2020
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at an MWS rehearsal?
Have you thought about joining us but aren't sure if we're the right ensemble for you?
Or do you just fancy a night of music making with like-minded wind band folk?
Our new Music Director Roger Graham would like to invite you to an open rehearsal with the band on Tuesday, 10 March 7.30pm-9.15pm at Maplesden Noakes School, Maidstone.
The free opportunity is open to any woodwind, brass, percussion or string bass players of Grade 7+ standard. We are primarily an adult ensemble but we also welcome younger players aged 13 or over eager to gain additional experience alongside their youth music commitments.
If you're interested email secretary@maidstonewindsymphony.org for more info and to sign up.
Programme Design Competition - A Journey to the Stars
14th February 2020
Do you know a budding young artist? Or does your child love everything to do with space?
We want to harness the creative talents of Maidstone's young artists to design the programme cover for our intergalactic family concert A Journey to the Stars
We want your poster-style interpretations of a journey through space. Entries will be shown on a big screen during the concert. What's more, one primary-aged and one secondary-aged winner will be chosen for the front and back covers of the souvenir programme!
The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or under on the day of the concert (28 March). We welcome individual entries as well as mass entries from local schools and other youth organisations. All entrants will receive a 10% discount on concert tickets.
The closing date is Friday, 28 February. For more information, design specifications, Ts&Cs download the Competition Information Pack.
The afternoon concert on Saturday, 28 March will take the audience on a musical journey through space with an exciting programme of music to excite and entertain, showcasing inspirational young performers along the way.
We will be staging a range of workshops and instrument taster sessions on concert day, offering something for everyone from beginners to more experienced instrumentalists, composers, and budding conductors. See the concert event page for full details.
Introducing our new Music Director, Roger Graham
13th January 2020
Maidstone Wind Symphony is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Music Director, Roger Graham.
Roger was born and brought up in Gravesend and started to learn the tuba at the age of 13. After two years of lessons, he gained a place at the Royal College of Music Junior Department and shortly after became the principal tuba player of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
He trained at the Guildhall School of Music under James Anderson and John Fletcher. After leaving the Guildhall he worked as a London-based freelance musician with some of the London orchestras, film orchestras and West End shows.
His interest in wind bands was kick-started when he began working for a music publisher specialising in concert band repertoire. When the conductor of his local band was taken ill, Roger stepped up and took the rehearsal; the reaction from the musicians was so positive that he decided to take up conducting. Since then he has been a guest conductor for a number of bands and ensembles in the South East, combining this with his playing commitments.
Roger said: “I cannot put into words how delighted I am to have been offered the position of Music Director with Maidstone Wind Symphony. I realise that with this opportunity comes the huge responsibility of maintaining the momentum and levels reached by the band under the previous MD Jonathan Crowhurst.
“As I enter this new musical collaboration with these wonderful musicians, I am sure we will drive forward and continue to develop as an ensemble. We will continue to tackle some challenging landmark concert band pieces. We will also look to form connections with highly-talented composers and seek to perform some of the newest and most exciting repertoire. Most importantly, I am sure we will have some fun!”
Maidstone Wind Symphony President Dan Daley said: “I am delighted as President of this excellent ensemble to welcome the arrival of Roger Graham to fill this important role, and am looking forward to a long and productive journey together along what I am sure will be an interesting musical highway.”
Roger is Maidstone Wind Symphony’s fourth music director. He succeeds Jonathan Crowhurst, who stood down from the role at the end of the band’s 20 th anniversary season. His first performance with the baton will be at our gala concert A Journey to the Stars: A Festival of Youth at Mote Hall, Maidstone, on Saturday, 28 March.
