Maidstone Wind Symphony

Maidstone Wind Symphony is widely regarded as one of Kent and the United Kingdom's leading wind orchestras. Since its formation in 1998, MWS has always attracted excellent players, many of whom were originally members of Maidstone Youth Music Society and the Kent Youth Wind Orchestra. The MWS’s list of conductors has included founder Brendon Le Page, Jeremy Cooper, current Music Director Jonathan Crowhurst, as well as guest conductors, including Jeffrey Vaughan Martin and Brett Baker. The orchestra has performed many premieres of music for symphonic band including works by Peter Graham, Johan de Meij, Rodney Newton, Philip Sparke, Ray Farr, Andrew Baker, Eric Geldard, Ferrer Ferran and Paul Lovatt Cooper, as well as commissioning works by local composers, including Malcolm Riley, Simon Proctor and Elizabeth Freeborn. The MWS performs 7-8 concerts a year and has had the privilege of working with some of the country’s leading professional soloists, composers and ensembles. The orchestra will collaborate with Faversham Choral Society, euphonium virtuoso David Thornton and Scottish Opera trumpeter Huw Morgan in the remainder of 2013. In the summer of 2012, MWS recorded its first CD, 'Slide Projections', with acclaimed trombonist Brett Baker, featuring music by composers Johan de Meij, Philip Sparke, Rob Wiffin and Jan Van der Roost. The recording was released to critical acclaim in early December last year.