Virginia Wind Symphony

Featured among the works of Claude T. Smith is“Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” commissioned by the U.S. Navy Band on the occasion of the band’s 50th anniversary. The Virginia Wind Symphony has produced three recordings showcasing Smith's writings for wind band, all of which are available exclusively from Claude T. Smith Publications — www.claudetsmith.com

The Virginia Wind Symphony, organized in 1994 by Dennis J. Zeisler, Dennis J. Zeisler, is a wind ensemble made up of professional musicians, military musicians, public and private school teachers and independent music instructors. The group was created to provide a musical outlet for musicians throughout the Hampton Roads area and is dedicated to playing the finest original and transcribed wind literature available. Members benefit from the positive musical experiences brought about by music-making in a spirit of camaraderie, and from the opportuni- ty to serve the region — through a life-long love of music — with concerts throughout the year. The Virginia Wind Symphony has been conducted by the following members of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA): Terry Austin, Ed Lisk, Frederick Fennell, Ed Downing, Linda Moorhouse, Harry Begian, Frank Wickes, James Keene, Arnald Gabriel, Mi- chael Haithcock, Myron Welch, Thomas Rotundi, Donald Hunsberger, James Barnes, H. Robert Reynolds, Marcellus Brown, David R. Holsinger, Brian Walden, Lowell E. Graham, Tom Palmatier, and Loras John Schissel. The Virginia Wind Symphony has recorded 7 commercial compact discs.

The Virginia Wind Symphony is honored to be a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award! The Sudler Silver Scroll is an international award to identify, recognize and honor those community bands that have demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of time, and which have played a significant and leading role in the cultural and musical environment in their respective communities.

The Virginia Wind Symphony performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, December 2004, 2012, and 2017. Past guest conductors have included Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus of The United States Air Force Band, Dr. Terry Austin, Loras John Schissel, and Edward S. Lisk.

Music Director, Dennis J. ZeislerDENNIS J. ZEISLER, Director of Bands Emeritus, retired in 2018 from Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia. He served for 39 years as Director of Bands, Professor of Clarinet and Saxophone, and Chairman of the Music Department. Under his direction, the ODU Wind Ensemble developed into a premiere ensemble. They recorded for TRN Music and Frank Erickson Publications, and were featured in concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Zeisler holds a B.M., B.M.E. and M.M. from the University of Michigan, where, under the direction of William D. Revelli, he was solo clarinetist of the Symphony Band. He was solo clarinetist of the Detroit Concert Band, under the direction of Leonard Smith, and clarinet soloist with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Zeisler had his New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in May of 1974, and has performed at three International Clarinet Society Conferences. For 31 years he was on the faculty of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. He was principal clarinet of the faculty orchestra, conductor of faculty and staff ensembles, and on the international conducting staff. In 1998, Professor Zeisler was awarded membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association (ABA). In 1999, he received the Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha for, “significant and lasting contributions to the cause of Music in America,” and the Virginia Music Educator of the Year Award from the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA). In 2004 he received the National Band Association (NBA) Men- tor Award, and in 2009 was awarded a University Professorship at ODU for excellence in teaching. In demand as a guest conductor and clinician, he has appeared recently with the United States Air Force Band, the Dallas and New Jersey Winds, and the Michigan and Georgia All-State Bands. The Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia have named him Conductor of their Wind Symphony. He is the founding music director of the Virginia Wind Symphony (VWS), a professional wind ensemble comprised primarily of music educators from throughout the area of south- eastern Virginia. The VWS has recorded six commercial compact discs, has been featured in concert at conventions for the ABA (2004, 2011), and has appeared in concerts and sessions at the Midwest Clinic (2004, 2012, 2017). Zeisler is past President of the Southern Division of CBDNA, NASM Region VII, and former Virginia State Chair of the NBA and the International Clarinet Society. He is currently chair of the NBA Merrill-Jones Composition Contest. He sits on the boards of the Sousa Foundation and the Midwest Clinic. Dennis J. Zeisler was the 77th President (2014) of the ABA. Dennis Zeisler is married to Carol Corcoran Zeisler and they have 4 children, Nathaniel, Jennifer, Sarah and Jeffrey and 3 grandchildren, Brook Zeisler, Perrin Zeisler and Aubree Rose Wisniewski.

website: https://www.virginiawindsymphony.org/