We will be performing our Children’s Concerts at the Roseville Theatre Arts Academy on Friday, March 2, 2012, 9am and 11am. Contact Michelle at 916-772-2777 for ticket information.

Our Annual Spring Concert at Sierra College is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm. Save the date!

Dr. Robert Halseth, newly appointed principal conductor for the Winds, has selected a dynamic program of music for this concert. Selections include Bach’s beautiful “Sleepers Wake,” a performance of “Second Suite in F” by Holst in celebration of its 100th anniversary, Persichetti’s exuberant “Pageant” and Ticheli’s contrast between good and evil in “Angels in the Architecture.” The Ticheli work features unique instrumentation and soprano soloist Kathryn Donovan. The musicians of the Winds thoroughly enjoy Dr. Halseth’s musicianship, knowledge and enthusiasm and look forward with great pleasure to their future collaboration.

In acknowledgement of his many years of outstanding leadership, commitment, guidance and friendship to the Sierra Nevada Winds, the board has unanimously appointed William “Bill” Hill as Conductor Laureate. In this capacity, he will continue his valued association with the group, in this concert conducting the exciting “Tam o’Shanter Overture” by Malcolm Arnold.

The program also includes “Sleep” by Eric Whitacre, Grainger’s “Molly on the Shore,” “Essay for Band” by Heisinger and Barber’s “Commando March.” According to Halseth, “Each has a unique story of its own.”

Tickets are available at the door: $8 general, $5 seniors and students

For a map of the location, click here.

In acknowledgement of his many years of outstanding leadership, commitment, contribution, guidance and friendship to the Sierra Nevada Winds, the board has appointed William “Bill” Hill as Conductor Laureate. In this capacity, he will conduct the Tam o’Shanter Overture by Malcolm Arnold at our fall concert in Yuba City at the First United Methodist Church, November 19 at 8:00 pm. Our group has excelled under his leadership, and we look forward to benefiting from his experience and knowledge as he continues his affiliation with the Sierra Nevada Winds. 

New Conductor
We are excited to announce that Dr. Robert Halseth will be taking up the baton as conductor of the Sierra Nevada Winds. Last season Bob generously agreed to step onto the podium while Bill was recuperating; now he has agreed to permanently take on the role. His extensive experience as a musician, conductor and educator can be viewed on our “About the Winds” page. We thoroughly enjoy his musicianship, knowledge and enthusiasm and look forward with great pleasure to our future collaboration.

Dear Sierra Nevada Winds members,

Congratulations on playing such a wonderful concert last night. Things came together in a most exciting, musical way, and I felt that my initial thought (that you would be able to handle – and deserved to have – a piece that required 12 weeks of intense rehearsal) was fully validated. Thanks to the hard work each of you did, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story came into artistic existence: it came alive! And so did the rest of the program. Bravo! This is what happens when able players are encouraged (did someone say “required”?) to dig in and practice hard, both individually and collectively.   What fun it was to conduct you! Thanks for the opportunity, and the honor. Your musicianship and your friendship are equally appreciated.

Dr. Robert Halseth, co-conductor Sierra Nevada Winds

Bassoonist, Sid McCammond

Our exciting concert on April 30 was dedicated to our friend and fellow musician, Sid McCammond, 1950 – 2011.

The Sierra Nevada Winds lost an important member of its musical family when Sid McCammond passed away earlier this month. Sid and his wife Kay first joined the ensemble when it was originally formed in the summer of 1990, and he served as bassoonist and announcer at our very first concert. He continued to fill those roles during most of the next 22 years. He also served as a board member for many years, was a past president of the board and conducted one of our earliest public performances. He was a featured soloist, performing “The Old Bear With The Sore Tail” by Fucik, and delighted hundreds of children as the narrator of “Tubby the Tuba” and “Peter and the Wolf” when we performed them at our annual children’s concerts. His unique brand of off-the-cuff humor was a special part of the Sierra Nevada Winds concert experience and will be impossible to replace. The members of our organization and our audiences will miss him greatly.