Winds Across the Bay (Winds) was a non-profit
youth orchestra
A youth orchestra is an orchestra made of young musicians, typically ranging from pre-teens or teenagers to those of conservatory age. Depending on the age range and selectiveness, they may serve different purposes. Orchestras for young stude ...
founded in 1993 in the
East Bay Area
The East Bay is the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area and includes cities along the eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. The region has grown to include inland communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties ...
city of
El Cerrito, California
El Cerrito ( Spanish for "The Little Hill") is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States, and forms part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It has a population of 25,962 according to the 2020 census. El Cerrito was founded by refugee ...
, with the philosophy that "opportunities must be provided to support and encourage youth in the study and love of instrumental music". It was open to middle and high school students who displayed a high-intermediate to advanced musical proficiency in any wind, brass or percussion instrument, as well as a desire to enhance their ability in the instrumental performing arts.
Winds featured The Minors, a middle-school ensemble designed for entry-level and intermediate and The Majors, an ensemble for advanced and experienced musicians.
Winds offered Tuesday evening rehearsals starting in September thru May, with three concerts each year: winter and spring concerts usually held at the
Lesher Center for the Performing Arts, and summer session concerts at various locations.
Winds worked with many local schools to augment the musical instruction being provided, and to afford youth musicians the opportunity to play high-profile performances in their own communities, such as the Lesher Center.
[http://events.sfgate.com/walnut_creek_ca/events/show/303350305-winds-across-the-bay-20th-anniversary-concert-looking-back-moving-forward-pass-the-baton]
Member schools
Member organizations include:
*
El Cerrito High School
El Cerrito High School is a four-year public high school in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. It is located on Ashbury Avenue in El Cerrito, California, United States and serves students from El Cerrito, a portion of eastern Richm ...
*
El Sobrante Christian School
*
Albany High School
*
Berkeley High School
*
Piedmont High School
* St. Mary's High School
* School of the Madeleine
*
Marin Academy
*
Pinole Valley High School
Pinole Valley High School is a high school in Pinole, California, United States, in Contra Costa County. First opened in 1967, the school is part of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Pinole Valley High serves grades 9–12, and has ap ...
*
Holy Names High School
* Del Valle High School
* Pacific Academy
* Portola Middle School
*
Hercules High School
*
Albany Middle School
* Kensington Hilltop School
References
External links
Winds Across the Bay Youth Orchestra websiteWAB performing Winds of Poseidon in 2013
2007 Benefit Concert
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1993 establishments in California
2019 disestablishments in California
American youth orchestras
Disbanded American orchestras
El Cerrito, California
Musical groups established in 1993
Musical groups disestablished in 2019
Musical groups from the San Francisco Bay Area
Non-profit organizations based in the San Francisco Bay Area
Orchestras based in California
Organizations based in Contra Costa County, California
Youth organizations based in California