THE BEGINNING
WITH DETROIT CHAMBER WINDS
A Note from H. Robert Reynolds

In 1982, H. Robert Reynolds was asked to conduct the first DCWS concert. Forty years later, he’s maintained an integral role in the organization as its artistic advisor and conductor

Detroit Chamber Winds began with a few musicians: Maury Okun, Kevin Good, Victoria King, and John Snow. One time they invited me to a dinner to talk about their idea. John Snow was a student in my ensemble at the at the University of Wisconsin where I was the wind ensemble conductor. He told the others that there was this person, now at the University of Michigan, who he thought could be the one to conduct these seasoned professionals. So, when we gathered to make music for the first time, I was REALLY nervous, but tried not to show it. I hoped I could be equal to the musicianship of these terrific players. My only hope was that I knew the repertoire very well and had conducted it several times (but with student players).

At the first rehearsal, there was excitement in the air, for we all knew that this was something very special indeed. As the rehearsal progressed, it became clear to me that these wonderful musicians could technically play the compositions without me. I could see then that my role was to bring a cohesive musical interpretation and balance to the performance. Quite soon, we became more than colleagues; we became friends engaged in collaborations we presented with real feeling to our audiences. It turned out that the audiences could hear and feel the connection we all had to the music and to each other. Thus, Detroit Chamber Winds was born 40 years ago, and we all have valued it ever since.”