About MJW

Minnesota Junior Winds provides an opportunity for talented young band musicians to regularly play and work in an ensemble with similarly motivated and enthusiastic peers.

        Essentially, it's like being in an honor band every week!

        Each year, students in MJW ensembles play music they might otherwise not play in their home schools and work with well known musicians and conductors. Students have performed newly commissioned works, performed joint concerts with colleges and community ensembles, worked with instrument specific coaches, and built friendships with young musicians from other schools. The fine student musicians in MJW are representative of the high quality music programs throughout Minnesota.

Ensembles

The Concert Band includes student musicians submitting high quality auditions with potential for musical growth for specific instrumentation. Students from grades 7-10 are eligible for membership. CB rehearses on Monday evenings at Edina High School, and is conducted by Geneva Fitzsimonds.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble includes those student musicians submitting the highest quality auditions for specific instrumentation. Students from grades 8-12 are eligible for membership. SWE rehearses on Monday evenings at Edina High School, and is conducted by Dr. Charles Weise.

NEW for Season 11

Preparatory Band includes those students in the first 2-3 years playing their instrument. PB rehearses on Monday evenings at Edina High School and is conducted by Michael Moeller.

NEW for Season 11 in NEW Location & Night!

MJW-South includes student musicians in grades 7-9 submitting high quality auditions. MJW-South rehearses on Sunday evenings at Rosemount Middle School and is conducted by Dr. Charles Weise.

History

Season 11 - 2023-24

Fall 2023– MJW begins 11th season with over 175 students in 4 ensembles, now rehearsal in two locations on different nights.

Season 10 - 2022-2023

5/1/23 - Spring Concert with Concert Band & Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Dragseth Auditorium at South View Middle School

3/12/23 - Winter Concert - Concert Band + Plymouth Concert Band (Adult Band) joint performance at Wayzata High School

3/6/23 - Winter Concert - Symphonic Wind Ensemble + Minnesota Symphonic Winds (Adult Band) joint performance at Fick Auditorium in Edina

2/16/23 - Performance at the Minnesota Music Educator Association (MMEA) Midwinter Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis featuring the Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble plus members of the Plymouth Concert Band and Minnesota Symphonic Winds. SWE premieres "Scenes from CITIZEN 13660" by Yukiko Nishimura.

Jan 2023 - SWE travels to College of St. Bens/St. Johns and Moorhead, MN for residencies with Dr. Justin Zanchuk (CSB/SJU) and Dr. Peter Haberman (Concordia College)

Nov 2022 – The return of the MJW Honor Band Event! Fall Concerts with the CB & SWE held at Fick Auditorium at Edina High School.

Sept 2022 – MJW begins 10th season with 93 students in 2 ensembles. 

Season 9 - 2021-2022

May 2022 – Spring Concert held at Dragseth Auditorium at South View Middle School. SWE premieres "New(er) Normal" by Christopher Lowry, and both ensembles work with and perform works by Aaron Perrine

Feb 2022 – Winter Concert held at Dragseth Auditorium at South View Middle School. SWE premieres "Basswood Canopy" by Katherine Bergman

Jan/Feb 2022 - Online Masterclasses with professional musicians from all over the state!

Nov 2021 – Fall Concert held at Fick Auditorium at Edina High School - The first concert with both ensembles in 2 years!

Sept 2021 – MJW begins 9th season with 86 students in 2 ensembles. Full groups rehearse for 90 minutes - masking required when students are not actively playing their instrument.

Season 8 - 2020-2021

May 2021 – Spring Concert with a LIVE audience! Concert Band & Symphonic Wind Ensemble play in-person for audiences - SWE premieres "Scenes from Bradbury" by Kevin Day. 

Feb 2021 -  Winter Concert recorded, this time with full ensembles spaced out.

Jan 2021 – Rehearsals resume in person as vaccinations for adults slowly roll out

Nov 2020 – Fall Concert is recorded and sent to families. Concert Band premieres "The Spirit of Kilkenny" by Carol Brittin Chambers. Days later, MN schools go online as COVID cases rise. Activities statewide close until January

Sept 2020 – MJW begins 8th season with 85 students in 2 ensembles and students participating in online groups - Students in person adhere to COVID protocols, including masking, bell covers, and timed rehearsals/breaks.

Season 7 - 2019-2020

May 2020 - Members of MJW create individual videos - The Spring Spectacular premieres on YouTube on May 4 in 2 installments

March 9, 2020 - Last regular rehearsal of the year, as the world shuts down due to the COVID 19 pandemic

Feb 2020 – Joint Performances - Concert Band plays with Hopkins Westwind Concert Band (Mike Anderson, conductor), and Symphonic Wind Ensemble plays with Encore Wind Ensemble (Jerry Luckhardt, conductor)

Jan 2020 – MJW-SWE travels to College of St. Bens/St. Johns and Moorhead, MN for residencies with Dr. Justin Zanchuk (CSB/SJU) and Dr. Peter Haberman (Concordia College)

Nov 2019 – SWE recorded "Shifting Shadows" by Nicole Piunno through the project ...And We Were Heard. 

Nov 2019 - MJW Honor Band event 135 students from 30 schools participating in one day festival event - with special guests Ben Bussey & friends from Mount Olivet

Sept 2019 – MJW begins 7th season with 95 students in 2 ensembles

Season 6 - 2018-2019

April 2019 – Concert Band premieres "Reflections" by Cait Nishimura

March 2019 – SWE travels to Gustavus Adolphus College for residency with Dr. James Patrick Miller & the Gustavus Wind Orchestra

Dec 2018 – Joint Concert with Symphonic Wind Ensemble & University of St. Thomas Symphonic Band & director Dr. Douglas Orzolek.

Nov 2018 - MJW Honor Band event splits to two bands - 135 students from 30 school participating in one day festival event - with special guests Chione Wind Quintet

Sept 2018 – MJW begins 6th season with 90 students in 2 ensembles

Season 5 - 2017-2018

May 2018 – 5th Anniversary Concert - Dr. Robert Ouren named "Conductor Emeritus"

March 2018 – MJW-SWE travels to St. Cloud and Moorhead, MN for residencies with Dr. Catharine Bushman (St. Cloud State) & Dr. Peter Haberman (Concordia College)

Nov 2016 – Joint Concert with the Concert Band & Plymouth Concert Band & director David Elmhirst

Jan 2018 – MJW Symphonic Wind Ensemble performed at the Wisconsin chapter National Band Association convention. Premiered "Branching Out" by composer Jack Stamp

Sept 2017 – MJW begins 5th season with 90 students in 2 ensembles - Concert Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble / Rehearsals move to Edina High School

Season 4 - 2016-2017

July 2017 – MJW selected to perform at the Wisconsin chapter National Band Association convention in Jan 2018

Jan 2017 – Students engage with MacPhail Faculty section coaches and present a chamber concert at Antonello Hall at MacPhail

Nov 2016 – Joint Concert with the Encore Wind Ensemble & director Jerry Luckhardt

Nov 2016 - First Honor Band hosted - joint concert between MJW and 75 honor band students

Sept 2016 – MJW begins 4th year with 68 students from 30 schools.

Season 3 - 2015-2016

Feb 2016 – MJW performed at MMEA (MN Midwinter Clinic)

Feb 2016 – Joint Concert with Hopkins Westwind Concert Band & director Michael Anderson.

Sept 2015 – MJW begins 3rd year with 60 students from 28 schools.

Season 2 - 2014-2015

Feb 2015 – First MJW Chamber concert held.

Dec 2014 – Joint Concert with University of St. Thomas Symphonic Band & director Dr. Douglas Orzolek.

Nov 2014 - Regional premiere of “Godzilla Devours Reno” by Micheal Mikulka.

Sept 2014 – MJW begins 2nd full year with 45 students from 21 schools.

Season 1 - 2013-2014

Nov 2013 – World Premiere of “Fanfare for a  New Day” by Austin Uline, commissioned for inaugural concert.

Fall 2013 – MJW begins with 33 students from 16 schools at South View Middle School

Spring 2013 – MJW promoted to band directors via email. First auditions held.