The Atlanta Wind Symphony (“AWS”) is an adult community wind ensemble of approximately 75 players who share a common goal of delivering inspiring performances of quality wind band literature. Members are volunteers and have a variety of vocations, including professional musician, educator, attorney, pilot, engineer, and business executive. To maintain balanced instrumentation, the number of players in each section is managed through auditions. The AWS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The Atlanta Wind Symphony was founded in 1979 as the North Fulton Community Band and has evolved into one of the finest community wind ensembles in the Southeast. The group has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, at four Georgia Music Educators Association conventions, and at the 2021 Midwest Clinic, America’s largest instrumental music conference. The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the AWS the Sudler Silver Scroll, North America's most prestigious award for community concert bands. Well-known composers of wind band literature have served as guest conductors, including Alfred Reed, James Curnow, Elliot del Borgo, and Eric Osterling.

Dr. David Kehler, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Kennesaw State University, is the Atlanta Wind Symphony’s current Music Director and Conductor. Under his leadership, the AWS is building on its rich history to make even greater contributions to the Atlanta music scene by performing in venues throughout the metro area, collaborating with other area musical organizations, and expanding its educational outreach programs.

Atlanta Wind Symphony’s concert season consists of four main performances, scheduled in October, December, March, and May, plus additional community outreach performances.

Click here for dates, times, and locations of performances.

The Atlanta Wind Symphony's mission is to contribute to the music life of the greater Atlanta area through inspiring performances of exciting band music. Specific objectives are:

1. Entertain diverse audiences by performing at various locations.

2. Promote collaboration among area music organizations by organizing joint performances.

3. Provide a musical outlet for serious adult musicians who share a common goal of performing significant band literature.

4. Support music education through community outreach programs.

5. Sustain the heritage of the American community band by performing varied literature, including transcriptions, marches, and original band works.

Founding

1979: In February, a small group of dedicated Atlanta-area musicians met to explore finding an outlet for their musical skills. As a result of this meeting, the North Fulton Community Band was founded, with G. Ellis Cannon as Music Director and Conductor. Twenty-eight members were present at the first rehearsal, but the group quickly grew. The newly formed community band presented its first concert with 62 musicians on July 4 at Roswell Square.

1980s

1980: An ensemble from the North Fulton Community Band performed for a $3,000 per plate fundraising dinner for President Jimmy Carter.

1983: The band began a long-standing relationship with Roswell United Methodist Church, using church facilities as rehearsal space, and performing with the Sanctuary Choir at its Patriotic Concert, which continues to be an annual collaboration.

1985: Georgia State University selected the North Fulton Community Band to audition candidates for Director of Bands in the School of Applied Music.

1987: The band was the first community band to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association Convention and received an invitation for a return appearance the following year.

1987-1993: Kendor Music engaged the band to record newly published school band music. Each year more than 50,000 copies of the band’s recordings were distributed to music educators in ten countries.

1988-1997: The band served as host and exhibition band for the National Adjudicators Invitational competition held in Atlanta.

1990s

1990-1992: The band performed in annual combined concerts with the Fort McPherson U.S. Army Ground Forces Band.

1994: G. Ellis Cannon, co-founder and first Conductor of the North Fulton Community Band, retired. Dr. Thomas M. Wubbenhorst, Associate Professor of Music at Georgia State University, became Music Director and Conductor.

1995: The group changed its name to “Atlanta Wind Symphony,” reflecting its growth in performing challenging repertoire and its expanded reach beyond Fulton County.

1996: Scott L. Taube, Director of Bands, Instructor of Horn, and Coordinator of Wind and Percussion Studies at the University of West Georgia, was named Music Director and Conductor.

1996: The AWS was heard on NPR station WABE (FM 90.1) as part of The Atlanta Music Scene program.

1997: Brad R. Matheson, Director of Instrumental Music at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, became AWS Music Director and Conductor.

1998: Music of the Heavens, AWS’s first commercially-produced CD, was released with Brad Matheson conducting.

1998: Peter Witte, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Wind Studies at Kennesaw State University, became AWS Music Director and Conductor.

1998: AWS became Atlanta's host musical organization for touring military bands, hosting the President's Own United States Marine Band and the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus.

2000s

2000: AWS celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Gala Concert. All previous conductors attended. Jere Wood, Mayor of Roswell, Georgia, proclaimed May 7, 2000, as "Atlanta Wind Symphony's 20th Anniversary Celebration." The band released a CD, Live! Selections from the 20th Anniversary Season of The Atlanta Wind Symphony.

2002: The band performed for a third time at the Georgia Music Educators Association Convention and released a CD of this performance.

2004: The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the AWS the Sudler Silver Scroll, North America's most prestigious award for community concert bands, given "to identify, recognize, and honor those community bands that have demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years and have played a significant and leading role in the cultural and musical environment in their respective communities." (quote from www.sousafoundation.net)

2004: Randall Coleman, Director of Bands and Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Milton (Georgia) High School, was named AWS Associate Conductor.

2005: AWS performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City with Peter Witte conducting.

2005: Dr. Robert J. Ambrose, Director of Wind Studies & Ensembles, Assistant Professor of Music, and Division Head of Performance Studies at Georgia State University, was named Music Director and Conductor.

2006: Captain Paul Bamonte, Commander and Conductor of The Army Ground Forces Band in Atlanta, became Music Director and Conductor. Chad West, Director of Bands at Cass Middle School in Cartersville, Georgia, was named Associate Conductor.

2006: AWS received the "Organizational Achievement Award" at the 1st Annual CABY Arts Awards presented by the City of Roswell Cultural Arts Board.

2007-2008: After a season-long search for Music Director and Conductor, the AWS named Dr. Patrick K. Carney, Director of Bands and Professor of Instrumental Music Education at Clayton State University as Music Director and Conductor.

2009: In honor of its 30th anniversary season, the AWS presented an anniversary concert, A Recreation of the 1st Performance from 1979, with special guest G. Ellis Cannon, co-founder and first musical director. The band released a three-CD collection, The First 30 Years: Selected Performances of the Atlanta Wind Symphony, 1979-2009.

2010s

2011: AWS performed as a guest ensemble at the 4th Annual Coastal Honor Band & Scholarship Festival at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina.

2012: Dr. Clifford Towner, Director of Band Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Georgia College and State University, was named Music Director and Conductor. R. Kevin Brown, Director of Bands at Adairsville (Georgia) High School, and Kurt Wackerly, Associate Music Director of the Atlanta Freedom Band, were named AWS Associate Conductors.

2015: Staci Hatmaker, instrumental conductor and music educator was named AWS Associate Conductor.

2017: Dr. David Kehler, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Kennesaw State University, became AWS Music Director and Conductor. Tyler Ehrlich, Associate Director of Bands at Centennial High School, and Chris Shumick, Director of Bands at Milton High School, became Associate Conductors.

2018-2019: The AWS held its first annual High School Concerto Competition, open to students of all woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments in grades 9-12 who are residents of Georgia. Seven finalists were chosen, with two named honorable mentions. The winner, Ben Smith, a flutist in 11th grade at Loganville High School, won a $500 music scholarship and performed with the AWS at its May 11, 2019, concert.

2020 - Present

2020: The AWS performs at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Athens

2021: The AWS performs at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, America’s largest instrumental music conference.

2023: Nick Wandrick, a senior clarinetist at Cambridge High School, is the winner of the 2023 AWS High School Concerto Competition.