REHEARSAL CANCELLATION: The rehearsal scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2024 has been canceled. Please visit the Rehearsals and Concerts page for an updated list of all remaining rehearsals.
Audition for Season 14
2024 - 2025
Registration is now closed. Please reach out to auditions@vwa.band for information on section openings and opportunities.
Who We Are
Virginia Winds Academy, its staff, and its musicians exist to contribute to the vibrant musical education and performance community in the Northern Virginia region. The Academy’s ensembles represent the cooperative efforts of music educators in collegiate, secondary, and primary music education environments. The participating members also reflect the talent and collective musical prowess of the formidable private music instruction available in Northern Virginia.
Participants
The Academy contributes to the music education environment by strengthening the technical, expressive, and intellectual skill sets of its members. These players, hailing from more than forty different schools and learning environments, share concepts, model expectations, and encourage performance excellence, each in their local communities.
Artistic Staff
Virginia Winds Academy is blessed with an experienced and diverse team of music educators. In addition to the conducting staff, the Academy features instrumental specialists, versatile players, coaches, and a support staff of experts in process, production, and media outreach.
Environment
Academy sessions function as an incubating environment for the future corps of music educators and performers in our culture. Through active participation in rehearsal, individual practice, and public performance, Academy players function as both learners and leaders. Advanced ensemble performance expectations, founded on the pursuit of excellence, represent both processes and goals of the Academy experience.
Methods
Academy sessions prepare for performances and more; they function as a laboratory learning environment for music educators in training, modeling the best practices of large and small ensemble methods. The scope and sequence of the Academy repertoire, performed by all ensembles, explore a wide categorical range of musical genres. This diversity of literature provides players, leaders, and listeners with a comprehensive introduction to wind band literature.
Outcomes
The collaborative nature of rehearsals and performances engenders camaraderie, trust, inspiration, and interconnectivity among all who are a part of the process. Enthusiasm for both the product and the process is infectious and a source of joy for all who contribute to Virginia Winds Academy.
Performances
Virginia Winds Academy, in a typical season, will perform three concerts: December, February, and May.
The Mission of Virginia Winds Academy
- Provide additional, intensive music education and performance opportunities for advanced band students;
- Expand student access to advanced wind repertoire;
- Encourage lifelong learning and performance;
- Support students, their school band program directors, and their families.
