The Wind Symphony, under the direction of Stephen Bolstad, is the premier wind and percussion ensemble at James Madison University. They have performed at the College Band Directors National Association and the National Band Association conventions in New Orleans in 1988, Charlotte in 1992, Williamsburg in 1994 and Greensboro in 1999. They have performed at numerous Virginia Music Educators Conferences and in 1987 at the Kennedy Center. The Wind Symphony has recorded for Kjos, CPP/Belwin, Warner Brothers, and C. L. Barnhouse publishing companies. As a part of School of Music’s annual Contemporary Music Festival, they have worked with composers of the like of Karel Husa, Joseph Schnwanter, Donald Erb, John Harbison, Francis McBeth, Mark Camphouse, David Maslanka, and Samuel Adler. Graduates of the Wind Symphony hold major positions in several of the Washington-based military bands, post bands and major symphony orchestras throughout the world, in addition to those serving as noted teachers and conductors. Auditions are open to any JMU student and they occur the day before school starts each semester.
