Wind Ensemble

     Concert bands form the core of the Berne Union Band Program; it is in these groups that students learn and practice the fundamental ensemble skills that are then expanded upon in other ensembles. The Berne Union Wind Ensemble rehearses through-out the school year (including marching band season) and performs grade 4 through 6 literature. Wind Ensemble is open to any band student in grades 7-12, by audition. This year there are 47 members in grades 8-12. Students not in Wind Ensemble participate in Concert Band. The ensemble typically has at least five performances a year, including Large Group Contest and Graduation.
     The Ensemble attends Ohio Large Group Contest every year (performing in class A since 2004), performed at the Dixie Classic Festival in Virginia Beach in 1997, performed at the North American Music Festival in Toronto, Canada in the spring of 1999, and the Music in the Parks Festival in Virginia Beach in 2001. In the Spring of 2003 the band again performed in Toronto Canada. In the Spring of 2004 the ensemble performed a joint concert with the University of Dayton Bands. In the Spring of 2005 the band traveled to St. Louis, and performed at a Music in the Parks Festival; the ensemble received a score of 96.5, and placed 1st out of the 27 groups at the event.
     In 2007 the ensemble again traveled to Toronto, and won Best Concert Band at the event. In 2008 the Ensemble traveled to Gatlinburg TN, and placed 6th out of the 22 bands at the event. In the Spring of 2010, the ensemble again performed in St. Louis and placed 1st out of twenty-three ensembles with a score of 98 from both adjudicators. The band traveled to Chicago in the Spring of 2012 and peformed at the Dixie Classic Festival earning a superior rating with a score of 92.5. In 2014 Wind Ensemble performed in St. Louis and earned a Superior rating and first place of the thirteen-bands at the contest. In the Spring of 2016 the band traveled to Virginia Beach and earned a Superior rating and 1st place out of nineteen bands with a score of 96.5. The band returned to Toronto in 2017 and earned second place out of the seven groups there. In 2019 Wind Ensemble performed again in St. Louis and placed second out of eight bands.
     In 2022 the ensemble returned to St. Louis and earned a Superior rating, and placed second out of the nine bands at the event.
     In the summer of 2024 the Wind Ensemble traveled to Paris France. In addition to touring the city for four days, the Wind Ensemble presented two concerts, one at the outdoor Luxumburg Gardens, and the second at an 800 year-old church in downtown Paris, Notre Dame des Blancs Manteaux.

Wind Ensemble Contest Record
Past Repertoir