Valley Winds: A community of musicians

CHELAN – It started as a brainstorming idea by music teachers from the area and it evolved into what is now the Valley Winds Community Wind Ensemble.

Chelan Music teacher Stephen Burdick along with a couple of music teachers from around the Valley brainstormed on the idea of creating a group for high schoolers and community members to play in, while attending a student music festival.

“In the beginning we thought that we more than likely end up with mostly a student band with a couple adults,” said Burdick.  

With an equal mix of students and adults and more than 40 people, Valley Winds surpassed all expectations.

“Most areas will have a community band or town band … that didn’t really exist in this immediate area, we went for it and it exploded,” explained Burdick.

Musicians of all ages are part of Valley Winds, the youngest one being in the seventh grade and the oldest one being in his 80s.

Those participating in the ensemble are from Wenatchee, Bridgeport, Brewster, Manson, Orondo, Mansfield and of course, Chelan.

The group has a spread of abilities. “Some people have played in college, some people have played in Military bands, some people are in seventh grade and they play the clarinet,” said Burdick.

Valley Winds officially kicked off in January of 2017 and four months later, in April, they held their first concert at the Chelan High School Performing Arts Center (PAC).

So far the ensemble has performed in four concerts. “From January to April every year we have a four month opportunity where people can come together and play,” explained Burdick. However, upon request from members, Fall concerts were added to the mix.

The very first Valley Winds concert benefited a family that had just encountered tragedy. “We took donations … we raised a huge amount of money for them and then the next one we did for the Food Bank,” Burdick explained.

The monies from the last two concerts will go towards a scholarship fund to support students. “They want to do a Youth Music Scholarship … for any high school student that is seeking to go to any music camp or maybe going off to college for music,” said Burdick.
According to Burdick, one or two scholarships will be awarded in the upcoming Spring concert.

Before each concert, the group tries to get together eight to 10 times. “We tried to designed it so it was a commitment, but it wouldn’t overwhelm somebody … we tried to make it manageable for people who have other things going on and still want to be part of something like that,” stated Burdick.

Practices are twice a month and run for 90 minutes. The music is handed out to the musician on the first day of practice. “We typically perform eight pieces. It’s a lot on their own practicing their part,” said Burdick.

Helping Burdick with the conducting of the band is Pateros Music teacher Jonathan McBride. “We split rehearsal and a lot of planning goes into it between him and I … a lot of behind the scenes planning to make sure all the music and selected programs are appropriate for the group,” said Burdick.

During concerts Burdick and McBride conduct four pieces each. When one of them is not conducting, they join the ensemble and play along with them.

Aside from all the preparation from the group members, their mission includes “sharing it with the community when it’s done.”

The creation of the band, not only allowed students and adults to play, it also “flourished into neat relationships and opportunities for people to grow.”

The  2019 Spring Concert is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25. With rehearsals starting up on Jan. 9. “If there’s anybody out in the community that wants to jump in and join us, contact me,” said Burdick.

With a long term vision for this project, Burdick is starting up talks about having a tour for Valley Winds. “Keep it simple, maybe have two performances in the Spring one here and one somewhere else … I was thinking of moving north of the valley,” he explained.

Burdick is grateful and lucky to have the support from Chelan School District, Superintendent Barry DePaoli, all the administration, staff and the community. “We are in really unique, fortunate, blessed … awesome place to be,” described Burdick.

To get a hold of Steve Burdick email him at Burdicks@chelanschools.org or call him at (509) 682- 8291 ex. 503.