Joint Manchester and Sheffield University Wind Orchestra

With the 2007 BASBWE International Wind Festival falling within the summer vacation, plus the fact that both bands from Sheffield and Manchester have had incredibly busy years, it was decided that the best way forward would be to join forces, and form a group made up from available players from both bands. MUWO has celebrated its 10^th Anniversary with a sold-out concert at the RNCM in Manchester, and has recently teamed up with both SUWO and the Leeds University Union Music Society Symphonic Wind Orchestra to present ‘A Grand Celebration of Wind Music’ at the Firth Hall in Sheffield, where the première of Camilleri’s In Nostro Tempo was given.

 

The repertoire to be performed at the IWF will include second performances of In Nostro Tempo, Adam Swayne's Go Down Hoe Down, along with works by Bedford (70 this year), Ellerby (50 this year), Holst and Grainger.

 

Manchester University Wind Orchestra

Manchester University Wind Orchestra (MUWO) was formed in October 1996 by its Musical Director Philip Robinson, and from quite humble beginnings with a core of forty players, the group has now grown to seventy players and includes students, alumni and staff from The University of Manchester, and others from around the region.

 

MUWO’s approach is simple and unique, which is perhaps why, unlike many university wind ensembles, the band’s members have become so dedicated, many staying on after graduating. Regardless of ability and degree course, MUWO takes on players with only one prerequisite – that they are willing to have fun, play confidently, and put in 100 percent effort.

 

MUWO’s current home is the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama. Here the ensemble rehearses weekly and performs three concerts a year. Alongside this regular season of concerts, MUWO has travelled on many successful tours throughout Europe, including the Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium to name a few. The band has also been asked to perform at the BASBWE/RNCM International Wind Festival on several occasions, and has recently gained its first Gold Award at the ncbf National Festival at The Sage, Gateshead. Visit the MUWO website.

 

Sheffield University Wind Orchestra Biography

The Sheffield University Wind Orchestra, run by the Music Department, aims to give a high quality ensemble experience for players, drawn from the whole University, by exploring a large selection of the best of the wide reaching repertoire, now available for symphonic wind orchestra, at its weekly rehearsals and to work to produce exciting and dynamic concert programmes and events. We actively encourage new music to be written for the medium both from within the Music Department and beyond.

 

The Orchestra has established a pattern of high profile concerts during the year including a University Firth Hall Series Event in April, a Winter charity concert (December) in a non-university venue, a short European tour in May and a presentation (usually of lighter music) at the Summer Festival in June.