>The Dallas Winds’ dedication to artistic excellence shines through in their uplifting concert performances and engaging education programs. With ticket sales covering less than 35% of our production costs, we rely heavily on grants and donations from supporters like you to fund the remaining 65%. By contributing to the Dallas Winds on North Texas Giving Day, you can help sustain our outstanding performances and dynamic education initiatives. Plus, your donations are tax-deductible, making it a win-win for both you and the Dallas Winds.
> The Dallas Winds' Meyerson Concert Series brings music both familiar and new to thousands of North Texan's each year. Every live concert begins with a World Premiere fanfare for brass & percussion and concludes with a march by John Philip Sousa. In between, the band always opens the show with the National Anthem and includes works by well-known composers alongside music from emerging writers. It's an audience of life-long learners, 18% of whom are under the age of eighteen.
> Youth Education is woven into every Dallas Winds concert and is front and center with three signature projects benefitting Dallas ISD students. Annual Strike Up The Band Concerts give DISD 5th graders, by the tens-of-thousands their first live classical music experience, where the Dallas Winds encourages kids to join their school band in 6th grade. Band enrollment in Dallas ISD is up 43% thanks to these performances.
> Next, the Dallas Winds Band Camp offers DISD students in middle & high school bands an unparalleled opportunity to learn from Dallas Winds musicians while rehearsing with acclaimed conductors. It's America's largest urban music camp, providing a full week of instruction, plus transportation and two meals daily, for only $25 tuition per student.
> Finally, the Dallas Winds Honor Band brings outstanding high school musicians from throughout DISD together for weekend rehearsals. Dallas Winds professional musicians attend each rehearsal, sitting in every section, playing alongside the students. Honor Band members receive leadership training from nationally recognized clinicians. In addition, students step forward to peer-mentor special needs students, teaching them the joy of playing an instrument. Special needs students become "new musicians" joining the Honor Band on its spring concert.
> Band students in rural towns & small band programs throughout Texas now have access to coaching from Dallas Winds professional musicians thanks to the Dallas Winds' All-State Jumpstart Videos. Students learn how to systematically practice and prepare music for all-state auditions, with performance examples and inside tips from the pros. Students learn skills that apply to the band room, the classroom, and most importantly to life outside of school.
Our Needs
Your generous support allows the Dallas Winds to:
*Capacity Building - Branding and Marketing! The Dallas Winds is the leading professional civilian wind band in the United States today. Comprised of 50 woodwind, brass and percussion players, the band performs an eclectic blend of musical styles ranging from Bach to Bernstein and Sousa to Strauss. They combine the tradition of the British brass band with the musical heritage of the American town band and the pioneering spirit of the 21st century wind ensemble!
*Offer discounted student tickets to its concerts at the Meyerson Symphony Center for thousands of North Texas area band students.
*Offer Dallas ISD band students the opportunity to attend America's largest inner-city summer music camp, at a fraction of the cost of other regional music camps. The Dallas Winds Band Camp offers students instruction from noted suburban and college band directors, as well as expert coaching from Dallas Winds professional musicians.
*Purchase three additional Wenger Music Library Shelving Units for our music
*Purchase Stand Lights
*Continue the Dallas Winds Honor Band, which gives outstanding Dallas ISD high school band students personalized coaching from Dallas Winds professional musicians; leadership training from nationally recognized clinicians; and a unique syllabus where Honor Band students peer-mentor Special Needs students, teaching them to play an instrument and become "new musician" members of the Honor Band.
* Produce educational All-State Jumpstart Videos reaching band students in small schools and towns throughout Texas. This partnership with the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) gives band kids without access to a private teacher, tailored coaching on their specific instrument from Dallas Winds professional musicians.