Arkansas Winds 
Community Concert Band



Welcome!

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About the band

The Arkansas Winds Concert Band is a non-profit, tax-exempt, all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing concerts to our community and to providing a place for musicians to practice their skills.

The Band was originally founded in 1988 by Professor Eldon Janzen, Professor Emeritus at the University of Arkansas. Mr. Janzen has had a long and distinguished career in music. His professional affiliations include American Bandmasters Association, Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Lions International. Mr. Janzen has served as President of Texas Bandmasters Association, President of Southwest Division of CBDNA, President of Arkansas Bandmasters Association and President of Phi Beta Mu International.

The Band was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1994, under the adminstrative leadership of then President, Nancy Sloan (nsloan@engr.uark.edu) and conductor Chal Ragsdale (ragsdale@uark.edu).

The group has performed at the Arkansas Band Educators State Conference, performs annually at the Fayetteville Fourth of July Freedom Celebration, an annual Christmas Concert at the Butterfield Trail Village Retirement Community, concerts in several area parks, many area schools, and is a regular performer at the University of Arkansas Music Camp. In April 2004, the Winds was honored to be selected to perform in Hot Springs, Arkansas at the convention of the Association of Concert Bands , the North American organization for community concert bands. The Band performs an average of 10 concerts a year and is always interested in finding other performing venues. The group rehearses at Ramay Junior High or Woodland Junior High, located in Fayetteville. Band rehearsals are every Monday evening from November through mid-July from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

The Conductors

The conductor of the Arkansas Winds is Michael Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson is in his sixth year as conductor of the Arkansas Winds. Prior to accepting the position, Michael performed for three years in the percussion section. He remains an active performer playing with the Jack Terry Big Band and musical productions with the Arts Center of the Ozarks and the University Theater. Michael received his Bachelors and Masters Degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1988 and 1995. He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Susan, and their two children, Walter and Cora.

The Musicians

Musicians in the Band span a wide range of ages and vocations--from high school students to retirees, and including such occupations as cook, farmer, professor, nurse, homemaker, stock broker, attorney, as well as music teacher. Membership is opened to any interested musician, particularly for those who play an instrument that is needed to balance the groups instrumentation. Auditions are not required for band membership, the only requirement is a love of music and commitment to community service. With a current roster of 80+ members, the usual concert involves 30-40 members.

 List of Active Band Members

Are you interested in joining?

The Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band is committed to the community band concept, providing an opportunity for community musicians of all ages and all levels of experience to make music and improve their skills in a supportive and non-threatening atmosphere. The Band welcomes anyone who can read music and can play a band instrument. There are no auditions. Rehearsals take place Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 in the bandroom at Woodland Junior High School, Fayetteville, AR, from November through June. For more information, call (479) 521-4293, talk to any Band member, or send email to the band (info@arkansaswinds.org) . Member Information

We accept contributions!

The Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band provides free concerts to the community. We meet our expenses through performance fees and the generosity of listeners like you. Contributions to the Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band are tax-exempt as described under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your support will help us continue our tradition of providing music and musical training to the community. If you would like to become a donor or to underwrite specific Band activities, please write the band by email (info@arkansaswinds.org), snail mail to PO Box 4172, Fayetteville, AR 72702-4172, or call (479) 521-4293.

How to schedule us for your event

If you are interested in having the Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band play for your organization or event, please write the band by email (info@arkansaswinds.org), snail mail to PO Box 4172, Fayetteville, AR 72702-4172, or call (479) 521-4293. 
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