Arts & Entertainment

San Diego Winds Composer Festival to Take Place in Poway

From the San Diego Winds Composer Festival to a Mandala Workshop, here's what Powegians need to know about the art scene this week.

Eight bands will take the stage at the this Saturday for the second annual San Diego Winds Composer Festival.

This is the first time the festival will take place in Poway.

John Dally, San Diego Winds board member and Mira Mesa High School band director, said the organization selected the Poway Center because it’s a “high-quality facility” that’s central in the county.

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I believe Poway’s always been a leader in a world of band music and band performance,” Dally said.

Last year, the inaugural festival took place at Lincoln High School in San Diego and featured composer David Maslanka, who joined the bands in residence for four days last spring.

Find out what's happening in Powaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This year, the bands will perform repertoire from Percy Grainger (1882-1961) and Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987). The Conductor in Residence is Maestro Larry Curtis.

“The San Diego Winds came up with the idea to start a festival to pay tribute to music, specifically wind ensemble composers,” Dally said. “It’s a tribute to the roots of wind music. Those composers are being featured because of their contributions to band literature.”

Six high school groups and one community college group will perform. These groups represent Helix High School, San Marcos High School, Steele Canyon High School, Point Loma High School, Mira Mesa High School, Rancho Buena Vista High School and Grossmont Community College.

San Diego Winds Educator's Band, composed of local directors and professional musicians, will also take the stage at the end of the concert.

The mission of the San Diego Winds organization is to provide performances, workshops, music camps and scholarships for young musicians. In addition to the “premiere groups” that will perform on Saturday, other “festival groups” will be in attendance. These groups will have an onstage music clinic and performance with Curtis prior to the concert while the premiere groups will rehearse and perform with Curtis during the concert.

Although the concert is free, donations will be accepted.

“It’s a great opportunity to support wind band and band literature and band programs in San Diego,” Dally said.

The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, located at 15498 Espola Road.

For more information about San Diego Winds, visit www.sdwinds.org.

’s Choirs Festival Concert will take place at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts today.

The festival, which starts at 7 p.m., includes all PHS choirs. For ticket information, contact PHS at 858-748-0245.

On Sunday, the Poway Community Symphony Orchestra will take the stage at the Poway Center. 

Music Director Warren Torns will lead the Festive Spring Concert, which begins at 2:30 p.m.

In addition to the Poway Community Symphony Orchestra, the concert will include choirs from Mount Carmel High School and Rancho Bernardo High School

The concert is free, but donations will be accepted. 

The is offering a new workshop.

The three-hour Mandala Workshop will explore “the powerful healing that one can find through the making of mandalas."

The workshop will take place 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, April 3.

Xpressive Arts Center, located at 12257-B Old Pomerado Road, is offering a $10 discount off the workshop fee if you bring a friend. He/she will receive a $10 discount, too.

For more information about the Xpressive Arts Center, visit www.xpressivearts.com.


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