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Time:

Thursday
December, 16, 2021
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Location:

375 AB

Category

Adult/Community Band

Conductor

Conductor Thumb
David Kehler

Program

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Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Atlanta Wind Symphony (“AWS”) is an adult community wind ensemble of approximately 60 players who share a common goal of delivering inspiring performances of quality wind band literature. Members are volunteers and have a variety of vocations, including professional musician, educator, attorney, pilot, engineer, and business executive. To maintain balanced instrumentation, the number of players in each section is managed through auditions. The AWS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Atlanta Wind Symphony was founded in 1979 as the North Fulton Community Band. Over its 40-year history the group has evolved into one of the finest community wind ensembles in the Southeast. The group has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and at four Georgia Music Educators Association conventions. The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the AWS the Sudler Silver Scroll, North America's most prestigious award for community concert bands. Well-known composers of wind band literature have served as guest conductors, including Alfred Reed, James Curnow, Elliot del Borgo, and Eric Osterling. Under Dr. Kehler’s leadership, the AWS is building on its rich history to make even greater contributions to the Atlanta music scene by performing in venues throughout the metro area, collaborating with other area musical organizations, and expanding its educational outreach programs, including it’s annual High School Concerto Competition.

Atlanta Wind Symphony

Conductor's Bio

David Kehler serves as Music Director and Conductor of the Atlanta Wind Symphony, a position he has held since 2017. Under his leadership, the AWS has rapidly grown into one of the leading adult bands in the United States today. Recent engagements have included featured performances at the 2020 Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in Athens, Georgia, and at this year’s Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Since 2009, Dr. Kehler has served Kennesaw State University’s Bailey School of Music as Director of Bands and Professor of Music. In addition, Dr. Kehler teaches courses in instrumental conducting, symphonic repertoire, and twentieth century music. In 2020, David Kehler was the recipient of the Kennesaw State University College of the Arts 2020 Outstanding Teaching Award, and the 2021 Scholarship and Creativity Award. An advocate of new music, Professor Kehler has commissioned more than two-dozen leading composers, including several Pulitzer Prize winners to write new compositions for wind ensemble. Growing up in Michigan, Dr. Kehler received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Conducting degrees from Michigan State University, followed by his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Texas at Austin. David Kehler continues to serve as a guest conductor and clinician for bands throughout the United Sates and has professional memberships in NAfME, CBDNA, GMEA, and Phi Beta Mu. Currently, David Kehler serves as a Board Member for the College Band Directors National Association, and as President of the CBDNA Southern Division.

Additional Directors

Additional Conductor Image

Chris Shumick

Additional Conductor Image

Tyler Ehrlich

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