In accord with social distancing and mandated shelter
in place orders,
full rehearsals and concerts have been cancelled until we can
proceed
in a healthy manner for all.
The Foothill Symphonic Winds (FSW) was formed in 1980. The ensemble performs classical and contemporary works written or transcribed for symphonic wind ensemble or concert band. The aim is to assist the musicians in continuing their musical growth while also providing high-caliber musical entertainment for the community. The FSW was a class offered by Foothill College in Los Altos Hills until all Music Performance classes were cancelled in the summer of 2011. The members of the FSW wanted to continue to operate in its traditional format, except as a non-profit organization. Articles of Incorporation were filed, a Board of Directors elected, and 501(c)(3) tax exempt status granted to the FSW by the IRS.
To learn more about the Foothill Symphonic Winds, click here.
When
conditions allow it, the FSW will rehearse Wednesday evenings at the
Mountain View High School, Packard Hall, 3535 Truman Avenue,
Mountain View, CA.
Normally we've met in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions, beginning rehearsals at 7:30 PM. While we don't have a fixed instrumentation, we do have a limit on our total membership for musical and logistical reasons. Musicians interested in joining the ensemble must receive approval from our Music Director (Contact). Existing members can register for a session or pay dues by using the following link: Register
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the musicians
of the Foothill Symphonic Winds (FSW) have been following state and
local social distancing guidelines in an attempt to help stop the spread
of the virus and flatten the curve in our communities. Although
this has prevented us from rehearsing as our traditional full ensemble
of 70 musicians, and bandwidth and latency limitations make it difficult
to hold live virtual performances successfully, we are finding ways in
which we can safely share our love of music with each other and with
you.
The members of the Foothill Symphonic Winds (FSW) have been active during the COVID pandemic by individually rehearsing and performing in socially-distance small ensembles. Our last virtual concert video, Gustav Holst's Chaconne, was a great success and was welcomed and enjoyed by our musicians and audience alike.
We are excited to share with you our next video: Rossano Galante's delightful A Childhood Remembered. As many of our musicians are multi-talented, you may see the same musician playing multiple instruments in the same video! It is our hope that these projects will provide a musical interlude for you until we can once again present a live performance. Please share this information with your family and friends. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe Spring! These and additional recordings can be accessed here or on our YouTube channel.
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The lilting and flowing music of this composition recalls the happiness of childhood. What might the music invoke in your memory? Running across a spring meadow, blowing on dandelions • Getting a bike or doll house • Learning to swim • Playing with your pet • Jumping in a pile of autumn leaves • A family gathering • Waking to new snowfall and a school closure • A double feature movie with cartoons and eating ice cream or a big box of popcorn.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Rossano Galante (b. 1967) received his Bachelor of Arts degree in trumpet performance from SUNY at Buffalo in 1992. He was accepted at the University of Southern California’s film scoring program, studying under Oscar winning composer Jerry Goldsmith. Galante went on to orchestrate major film and television series. He has received more than two dozen commissions from wind ensembles and orchestras in the United States.