What does it take to become an accomplished player?
What motivates the musicians of the Wellington Winds?
How can I find out more about my instrument?
Winds Musicians Rehearse and Reflect
Flutes: The Winds’ flute section rehearses Bernstein’s Candide Overture, and talk about their craft.
More about playing the flute:
The Flute
- Wikipedia: Flute
- National Flute Association (U.S.)
- Flute Fundamentals from the U.S. Army Field Band
- Flute Resources for Theater and Opera
Great Flutists
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Flute
Single Reeds: Members of the clarinet and saxophone sections discuss their instruments.
Winds’ clarinetist Becky Maresciuc performs Concerto No. 1 in F Minor, by Carl Maria von Weber, arranged by Scott Amort.
More about playing the clarinet:
The Clarinet
Great Clarinetists
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Clarinet
More about playing the saxophone:
The Saxophone
- Wikipedia: Saxophone
- Virtual Saxophone Museum
- The Saxophone Standard from the U.S. Army Field Band
Great Saxophone Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Saxophone
Double Reeds: Music director emeritus Michael Purves-Smith rehearses with bassoonists Ginny Scarfino and Joe Scharz, and talk about music-making.
More about playing the oboe:
The Oboe
Great Oboists
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Oboe
More about playing the bassoon:
The Bassoon
Great Bassoonists
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Bassoon
Trumpets: Conductor and trumpet player Daniel Warren leads the section in a rehearsal of Johan de Meij’s Lord of the Rings. They take time to talk about instruments and techniques, and role music plays in their lives.
More about playing the trumpet:
The Trumpet
Great Trumpet Players
- Guy Few
- Larry Larson
- Jens Lindemann
- Wynton Marsalis
- Daniel Warren
- Alison Balsom
- Allen Vizzutti
- Tine Thing Helseth
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Trumpet
Horns: Tony Snyder and Barb Brandon discuss preparing for a concert.
More about playing the horn:
The (French) Horn
Great Horn Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Horn
Low Brass: Members of the low brass section – trombone, euphonium and tuba – gather to rehearse.
More about playing the trombone:
The Trombone
Great Trombone Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Trombone
More about playing the euphonium:
The Euphonium
Great Euphonium Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Euphonium
Dave Arthur and Art Lang talk about playing the tuba and the string bass in the Wellington Winds.
More about playing the tuba and string bass:
The Tuba
Great Tuba Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: The Tuba
The String Bass (Double Bass)
Great String Bass Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: The String Bass
Percussion: Julie Strom and Mike Bronson perform on mallet percussion instruments with the Wellington Winds.
More about playing percussion:
Percussion Instruments
Great Percussion Players
Check out our YouTube playlist: Percussion
Questions to Drive Further Inquiry
- Does the instrument choose the player, or the player choose the instrument?
- What is the history and great repertoire of the instrument that you play?
- What does it take beyond musical talent to become a highly competent player?
More Resources:
Links for further exploration
Suggestions to guide your research
