Celebrating 20 years of MWS

This season we are celebrating 20 years of Maidstone Wind Symphony.

The band was founded as Maidstone Winds by Brendon Le Page in 2008 and held its first concert at The Corn Exchange, Maidstone, in October.

Over the past two decades under the direction of Brendon, Jeremy Cooper and current music director Jonathan Crowhurst, the orchestra has established itself as one of the UK’s leading amateur wind ensembles.

The orchestra has been led by Jonathan since 2010 when it changed its name to Maidstone Wind Symphony. In 2015 it 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). This Christmas sees the release of our festive EP, A Christmas Festival.

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 and is proud to have collaborated with a wide range of wind bands, brass bands and choirs over the years. Alongside regular concert performances, the orchestra presents inspirational workshops with its guest soloists.

Thank you to audiences past, present and future for your support of music making in Maidstone. Here’s to the next 20 years!

20^th Anniversary Concert 

Our 20^th anniversary season will reach its climax with a concert featuring some of our most popular ever repertoire in the company of our music directors past and present.

The concert on Saturday, 29 June at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, will be a chance for players past and present to come together and celebrate two decades of top-class music making with MWS.

The concert begins at 7.30pm. We will be holding a pre-concert reception for members past and present. Former members interested in attending the reception and concert can email ssecretary@maidstonewindsymphony.org