St. Louis Wind Symphony Blows Into Kirkwood
by Matt Lescher

The St. Louis Wind Symphony performs during the Greentree Festival in Kirkwood Park on Sunday. photo by Diana Linsley

Over the years numerous studies have shown how listening to symphonic music can make humans more intellectual. If that's the case then Kirkwood offers new opportunities to feed your brain. In what has been called a "win, win situation" by both the city of Kirkwood and the St. Louis Wind Symphony, the symphony has a new home -- The Thomas N. Keating Performance Center at Kirkwood High School.

The building offers excellent acoustics, an abundance of seating, and plenty of room for the orchestra on and off the stage.

Wind Symphony Board Chairman Kirk Wallace, described the symphony as an, "all-volunteer, non-profit group, that plays on a professional level." This wind ensemble plays a variety of music, mainly contemporary literature, and is filled with educators who pass on knowledge and their love of music to others. It previously played at Missouri Baptist University.

There are about 60 musicians in the wind symphony: seven flutes, three oboes, one bassoon, 13 clarinets, four saxes, four French horns, eight trumpets, six trombones, three baritones, four tubas, a string base, and four percussionists. Performances revolve around a theme and compositions are selected to fit the theme.

The most recent performance was at Kirkwood Park on Sept. 18, at Lions Amphitheatre for the Greentree Festival. The theme was "Summer Fun" and audiences were dancing in their seats to the beat, a scene that will likely become a staple in Kirkwood.

Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda couldn't be happier with the symphony's decision to move to Kirkwood.

"I'm absolutely delighted that we could work this out." said Swoboda, who's on the symphony's board of directors. "It's a dream come true. We now have an excellent symphony with a home base in Kirkwood."

Swoboda found out about a year and a half ago that the symphony was in the market for a new home. The major roadblock was raising the funds to support rental fees. He helped to stimulate interest and donations from local businesses. Soon it was more than just a dream.

"What this means is that we have year-round, first-class instrumental music -- goal achieved," said Swoboda. He noted that the symphony performs in the fall and winter; Music in the Moonlight Series covers the spring and summer months.

The St. Louis Wind Symphony boasts 60 musicians, including six trombones. photo by Diana Linsley

Last Saturday's concert was part of the Music in the Moonlight Series, during which an announcement was made telling of the symphony's move to Kirkwood. With that announcement, spontaneous applause erupted from the musicians.

"The applause wasn't planned," insisted Dan Presgrave, symphony conductor "But it shows the musicians support the move.

We now have a home base with community roots where we can hopefully be a draw, and with the attention we attract, we can turn the spotlight on Kirkwood," said Presgrave. He also pointed out the economic benefits of getting people out of their homes and into Kirkwood.

Former Kirkwood Band conductor, Tom Poshak, is now the assistant director of the St. Louis Wind Symphony. Poshak was the band director and music director for Kirkwood School District from 1985-2001. Shortly after Poshak retired, Presgrave recruited his services and talents for the Wind Symphony. He is thrilled to be conducting in front of Kirkwood audiences again.

"It's like coming home. It's great! Music excellence and a fantastic venue and community," he said.

Poshak, also a Kirkwood resident, hopes his ties to the symphony, Kirkwood School District and the city of Kirkwood will help benefit everyone involved. He pointed out that Kirkwood's band students benefit from the move by learning from the members of the symphony and receiving free concert tickets.

Susan Bubb, a symphony board member, Kirkwood School District employee, and mother of children who have been in the Kirkwood High School Band, is excited.

"It gives students a chance to work along side musicians that are older and more experienced," she said. "We have an opportunity to host a fine symphony that will bring people into our community to enjoy exceptional music."

Musicians in the symphony with ties to Kirkwood include former Kirkwood music instructor Joe Akers, Kirkwood residents Andrea Clark and Doug Luke. Former Kirkwood High School Band students Tim Browne and Carolyn Lauderback have played with the band.

Wind symphony tickets cost $8 for adults; $5 for senior adults and students. Tickets, however, are free to Kirkwood students and their families. To obtain free tickets, high school students can see Bubb at the school's music office. Elementary and middle school students will be sent a letter regarding the concerts. They are asked to bring the letter to the concert where they will receive free tickets.

The St. Louis Wind Symphony begins its regular concert series on Oct. 2, 7 pm, at the Keating Center with a "Salute to American Jazz." Jazz clarinetist Lynn Zimmer will join the St. Louis Wind Symphony as musicians deliver their musical interpretation live from their new home, Kirkwood.

For more information, call 989-1852, visit the Web site www.stlwindsym.org or send an e-mail to stlwindsymphony@sbcglobal.net.