Wind Ensemble

The Poudre Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group of Poudre 11-12 graders (and some 10th graders as well). We play 6 Poudre High School concerts each year, and perform at 2-3 festivals as well; the Rocky Mountain Concert Band Festival, the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA) Regional Concert Band Festival and potentially the CBA State Concert Band Festival. This group is the 'flagship' of the Poudre Band program, and we strive to represent our school, community and the composers we perform with energy, artistry and pride.

The group has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall 4 times (2006, 2017, 2020, 2021) and we have been featured on band concerts at Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado. We have qualified for the CBA State Concert Band Festival 6 of the past 7 years (basically like 'making the playoffs'). About 130 bands (from 1A to 5A) perform and compete at the CBA Regional festivals each year and the top 32 bands are selected to perform at the State CBA Concert Festival.

It is our goal to play the very best quality literature with the highest degree of musical artistry and expression. We have also commissioned two pieces by highly regarded composers/arrangers. Both of these pieces have become staples in the band world.

We frequently have visiting clinicians from local universities come in and help us along the way. Directors of Bands from CSU, UNC, CU, Metro State and UW are some of our regular visitors.