About Maidstone Wind Symphony
Award-winning wind orchestra Maidstone Wind Symphony (MWS) is one of the United Kingdom's leading wind ensembles renowned for its passion and innovation.
Based in Maidstone, Kent, we are a friendly, ambitious ensemble that is proud to perform and champion contemporary wind band music. We are conducted by music director Roger Graham.
MWS concerts aim to illuminate and inspire and give audiences a new and unique experience they will never forget. We aim not simply looking to entertain, but to entertain ideas.
In 2015 MWS became only the second wind orchestra
to win the National Concert Band Symposium with its performance of John
Mackey's Wine-Dark Sea Symphony for Band.
In 2017 the band released a new recording, Roar!, featuring the wind music of
award-winning composer Andy Scott. The disc features collaborations with
special guest artists Rex Richardson (trumpet), Steven Mead (euphonium), Les Neish (tuba) and Andy Findon (flute).
Maidstone Wind Symphony is a dedicated advocate of contemporary composers and regularly gives premiere performances. It is renowned for its highly-acclaimed interpretations of wind band music with repertoire ranging from traditional and popular classics through to contemporary band masterpieces. The orchestra also regularly engages some of the world’s finest woodwind and brass soloists.
MWS is also proud to have collaborated with a wide range of wind bands, brass bands and choirs over the years. These include Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Frysk Fanfare Orkestr, Eynsford Concert Band, Byneset Musikkorps, BAE Systems Brass Band, Medway Band, Maidstone Youth Wind Orchetstra, The Maidstone Singers, Maidstone Choral Union, Faversham Choral Society, and choirs from a number of local schools.
Alongside regular concert performances, the orchestra
presents inspirational workshops with its guest soloists, designed to challenge
and advance every participant and has a strong relationship with Maidstone
Youth Music Society, providing additional opportunities for talented young
players.
The band was
founded by Brendon Le Page in 1998. Since then its Music Directors have been Jeremy
Cooper, Jonathan Crowhurst and Roger Graham, who was appointed in
2019. The band celebrated its 20th anniversary during the
2018/19 season.
Our awards and accolades
- 2017 – Second professional recording Roar! – The Wind Band Music of Andy Scott
- 2015 – MWS became the headline orchestra for Maidstone’s annual Proms in the Park
- 2015 – Winners of the National Concert Band Symposium with guest conductor Tom Davoran
