SB Symphony launches Youth Wind Ensemble

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is beginning a new program for young musicians, the San Bernardino Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble.

The ensemble is for woodwind, brass and percussion students ages 14 to 21 from the Inland Empire, Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion and double bass.

“We’ve been looking for creative ways to supplement the great music education that our young students already get in the San Bernardino school district,” Anthony Parnther, the San Bernardino Symphony’s music director and conductor, said in a news release.

“But in addition to that, we have resources and assets that we want to share with our community, and the greatest of those is our new SBSO Youth Wind Ensemble Director, Dr. Nicholas Bratcher, who brings a long track record of excellence and dedication to our organization. We’re tremendously excited about implementing and growing a premier youth group that our region can be proud of,” Parnther said.

Bratcher, who serves as director of bands at Cal State San Bernardino, will lead the Youth Wind Ensemble. is educational effort. He is a champion of new wind band works and works by underrepresented composers.

“I’m very thankful to the San Bernardino Symphony board for putting their faith in me to helm this endeavor and thrilled to be part of this creative team alongside Maestro Anthony Parnther and Principal Guest Conductor Lesley Leighton,” Bratcher said in the news release.

The ensemble’s first season will be the spring semester of the 2021-22 academic year. Applications are being accepted and auditions will be held in the coming weeks.

The ensemble will present two concerts per academic year. The first concert is scheduled for June 5, with rehearsals beginning in early April.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous grant received earlier this year that has allowed us to make a program like this possible for the youth of our community,” Anne Viricel, the symphony’s executive director, said in the news release.

For audition requirements and information about the San Bernardino Symphony’s other educational programs, go to sanbernardinosymphony.org.

Bratcher