Millikin University Wind Ensemble

05/05/2026

Congratulations to our principal clarinetist for her exciting opportunity this summer.

Sophomore clarinet performance major Isabella Haney is going to have a busy summer! After attending the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy, she will be heading off to Ontario for the Lift Clarinet Academy!

04/18/2026

We can’t wait to see you all at our last concert of the semester!
We will be featuring Millikin Flute Professor Amanda Pond and Rochester High School Band on this concert!
Also, we will be saying goodbye to our outgoing seniors:
Grant Gillen
Melis Barutcu
Eric Brindle

Come support all of our talented musicians on this jam-packed concert!

03/25/2026

Come see our talented MSWE members compete in the Hollis Competition!
Good luck to all!

03/07/2026

A sneak peek into our dress rehearsal for our “She Speaks” concert featuring the Williamsville High School Band.
We can’t wait to see you all at 7:30!

03/04/2026

Millikin music students were fortunate to work with award winning composer and conductor Dr. Benjamin Horne over the past couple of days. Dr. Horne worked with the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble, including our student conductor, met with composition students, and coached our Instrumental Conducting class over the course of his visit. It was inspiring to work with such a talented artist and benefit from his unique perspective on writing, rehearsing, and performing wind music. Many thanks to Dr. Horne for sharing your expertise.

11/19/2025

This past weekend, we had an amazing last concert of the semester.
We shared the stage with the renowned Opus 24 Choir and our guest conductor, Erica Edwards.
Thank you all for coming to see the hard work our students put in over the course of the semester!

We will see you for our “She Speaks” concert with the Williamsville High School Band on March 7th!🎶

11/15/2025

We’re putting the finishing touches on our concert with Opus 24 titled “A Silence Haunts Me”.
We hope to see you all tomorrow at 7:30!

11/14/2025

Senior Spotlight✨

Emily Edwards, Pre - Medicine, Biology

What instruments have you played in Wind Ensemble?
Clarinet

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to attend medical school and become a pediatric rheumatologist.

What is your favorite memory of Wind Ensemble?
Creating our choreography for Cave of the Winds.

What is your favorite quote from Wind Ensemble?
"What if the podium just collapsed?" Dr. Smith

What is a piece of advice for future wind ensemble students?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, odds are you aren't the only one who is wondering. We all have different experience levels, and we are all learning.

What is your favorite piece you have played in Wind Ensemble?
Godzilla Eats Las Vegas by Eric Whitacre

Thank you so much for all that you have done fro MSWE: the stories, the leadership to new students, support of your peers, and the memories you have left with us all. We wish you the best and have faith that you will succeed in all of your future endeavors!

11/14/2025

We've been busy for the past several weeks preparing for this collaborative performance with Opus 24. We'd love to have you join us tomorrow to see the final results of that work. Tickets are available at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center box office.

11/13/2025

Senior Spotlight ✨

Bradley Rossbach, Instrumental Music Ed

What instruments have you played in Wind Ensemble?
Clarinet

What are your plans for the future?
Finding a job where I can teach kids to love music!

What is your favorite memory of Wind Ensemble?
Going to see CSO play Rite of Spring on the band tour.

What is your favorite quote from wind ensemble?
"It's a Bb minor 7."

What is a piece of advice for future wind ensemble students?
Take time to work on the challenging passages before rehearsal, and practice listening to the whole ensemble.

What is your favorite piece you have played in wind ensemble?
Blue Shades by Frank Ticheli

Thank you so much for all that you have done for MSWE: the immense leadership, consistent support of your peers, the jokes, and the ability to let your musicianship come through on and off the podium. We wish you the best and have faith that you will succeed in all of your future endeavors!

11/13/2025

Senior Spotlight ✨

Sammi Katschke, Instrumental Music Ed

What instruments have you played in Wind Ensemble?
Alto, Tenor, and Bari Sax

What are your plans for the future?
Teach music at a rural school.

What is your favorite memory of wind ensemble?
Honor Band days.

What is your favorite quote from wind ensemble?
"If I had time, I'd figure out what that chord is. Why don't you play it for me again?"

What is a piece of advice for future wind ensemble students?
There is a learning opportunity in every rehearsal if you choose to take it. Be open to every experience you can get before you're done.

What is your favorite piece you have played in wind ensemble?
Urban Lights by James David

Thank you so much for all that you have done for MSWE: the jokes, the laughs, the support provided for those on and off the podium, and how you push others around you to improve. We wish you the best and have faith that you will succeed in all of your future endeavors!