About Us
Under the Direction of Music Director, Maestro John Brewington
Director and Conductor for Tidewater Winds. John is in his 39th year in public education that has included numerous directing and supervisor positions. He is the creativity of Tidewater Winds and maintains a rigorous concert schedule and powerful music education program.
Who We Are
Tidewater Winds Concert Band is comprised of 65 talented woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians from across the Hampton Roads Virginia region representing various military branches, careers, academia, college bands and orchestras. Tidewater Winds is one of a handful of Concert Bands like it in the country, preserving the unique heritage of American Concert Bands. We are proud to be Resident Artists at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts!
Our Mission
The Mission of Tidewater Winds is to provide quality concert band programming in the Hampton Roads region. Through community partnerships and local initiatives, Tidewater Winds works to provide musical performances, special projects, and educational programming at the highest level of excellence. It is our charge to musically serve the Hampton Roads region while offering affordability and accessibility to all audiences. We aim to encourage education, socialization and unity through our musical programs.
Our Goals
- To serve the community with live quality performances promoting the appreciation of musical artistry with a unique blend of concert band instrumentation.
- To enrich, inspire, and create uplifting joy and patriotism in the lives of our audiences with fresh interpretations of a variety of musical compositions.
- To bring quality entertainment to the community while maintaining a working community of local artists.
- To provide opportunities to educate and mold young musicians that provide and contribute to societal growth.
Signature Services
Tidewater Winds offers three core services that help define our mission and ensure a positive impact on our community. These services include a free summer concert series, an intensive music education program, and our community outreach program.
Tidewater Winds Ensembles
Tidewater Winds...
Concert Band (55-members)
Big Band (25-members)
Little Big Band (12-members)
Brass Quintet (5-members)
Woodwind Quartet (4-members)
Jazz Ensemble (3 to 7-members)
Musicians
Flute
Erika Frydenlund
Amber Kidd
Josh Stone
Oboe
Rena Long
Bassoon
Stephanie Sanders
Harvey Stokes
Christopher Simmons
Contrabassoon
Laura Parker
Clarinet
Edward Knakal
Joseph Brown
Gene Chieffo
Gabriel Clemons
Steve Clendenin
Lee Cooper
Amanda Fleenor
Cosmos Fristachi
Gabriel Gravini (college intern)
Tyler Harney
Ed Haywood
Melanie Kasch
Eddie Knakal
Michelle Knipple
Micah Lall-Trail
Yevgeniy Levin
Apollo Melo
Cathy Ogram
Cynthia Ramirez
Shelby Worst
Vince Zentner
Bass Clarinet
Alan Brown
Joseph Brown
Alto Saxophone
Karstan Bock (HS intern)
Laura Cathcart
Frank Creasy
Elise Donley (college intern)
Tommy Fitzgerald
Renee Kingan
Tenor Saxophone
Steven Thorn
Brandon Waltz
Baritone Saxophone
Frank Creasy
Renee Kingan
Allan Melton
Trumpet
Renae Adrian
Robyn Card
Tom Graper
Stephanie Harron
Manuel Hernandez
Matthew Kitzen-Abelson
William Lemley
Heath Losick
Chad McGill
James Reid
Benjamin Siff
Austin Simmons
LeAnn Splitter
Christian Van Deven
Denise White
Horn
Eric High
Beverley Losick
Rey Ramirez
Dylan Reyes (college intern)
Jonathon Twitero
Euphonium
Alex Federico
Greg Lopes
Michael McKenna
Trombone
Steve Coonley
Chris Espy
Ken Keller
Patrick Oudie
Wayne Walton
Bass Trombone
Lee Dise
Alan Fagan
Tuba
Jim Cipriano
Nicholas Hathaway
Adam Robles
Phil Sloan
Percussion
Dalia Berman
Aaron Cook
Ralph Copley
Lisa Farrell
Ron Johnson
Dan Knipple
Mike Lane
Piano
Elmer Castillo
Anne Reed
Gabriel Doon
Harp
David Boone
Bass
Mike Finn
Guitar
Elden Sully
We Salute our Vets & Military Musicians
Concert Band
Flute - Sub - Jenny Williams - Vet
Bassoon - Sub - Chris Simmons - Vet
Clarinet - Pro - Cathy Ogram - Vet
Clarinet - Pro - Gene Cheiffo - Vet
Sax - Pro - Laura Cathcart - Vet
Sax - Sub - Joe Camarda - Vet
Sax - Sub - Devin Thomas - Active
Trumpet - Pro - Chad McGill - Vet
Trumpet - Pro - Tom Graper - Vet
Trumpet - Pro - Austin Simmons - Active
Trumpet - Sub - Matt K. - Active
Trumpet - Sub - Manny Hernandez - Vet
Horn - Pro - Eric High - Vet
Euphonium - Pro -Brian Sklute - Vet
Euphonium - Pro -Mike McKenna - Vet
Trombone - Pro - Ken Keller - Vet
Tuba - Pro - Phil Sloan - Vet
Percussion - Sub - Monte Pursifull - Vet
Percussion - Sub - Jackie Stephens - Active
Piano - Sub - Elmer Castillo - Active
Bass - Sub - David Evans - Vet
Guitar - Sub - Eldon Sully - Vet
Total - 22
Big Band
Sax - Sub - Joe Camarda - Vet
Sax - Pro - Laura Cathcart - Vet
Sax - Sub - Devin Thomas - Active
Trombone - Pro - Phil Sloan - Vet
Trombone - Pro - Ken Keller - Vet
Trumpet - Pro - Chad McGill - Vet
Trumpet - Pro - Tom Graper - Vet
Bass - Sub - David Evans - Vet
Piano - Sub - Elmer Castillo - Vet
Piano - Sub - William Neil - Vet
Total - 10
Brass Quintet
Trumpet - Pro - Chad McGill - Vet
Horn - Pro - Eric High - Vet
Tuba - Pro - Phil Sloan - Vet
Trombone - Pro - Ken Keller - Vet
Total - 4
Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director
Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director
Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director
John Brewington, Music Director
Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director
Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director
Dr. Chad McGill, Operations Manager
Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director
Dr. Chad McGill, Operations Manager
Executive Board
Bob Batcher
Matthew Weinstein
Matthew Weinstein
Vice President
Matthew Weinstein
Matthew Weinstein
Matthew Weinstein
President
Don Hurwitz
Matthew Weinstein
Don Hurwitz
Treasurer
Board Members
Kathryn Barrett, Marketing
Annamarie Smith-Butz, Programming
Kathryn Barrett, Marketing
Bart Barton, Finance
Annamarie Smith-Butz, Programming
Kathryn Barrett, Marketing
Annamarie Smith-Butz, Programming
Annamarie Smith-Butz, Programming
Annamarie Smith-Butz, Programming
Frank "Buddy" Creasey
Ellard Forrester, Programming
Dan Edwards, Development
Dan Edwards, Development
Ellard Forrester, Programming
Dan Edwards, Development
Ellard Forrester, Programming
Ellard Forrester, Programming
Ellard Forrester, Programming
Leslie Friedman, Development
Leslie Friedman, Development
Leslie Friedman, Development
Mandy George, Marketing
Leslie Friedman, Development
Leslie Friedman, Development
Chad Hugo, Programming
Leslie Friedman, Development
Chad Hugo, Programming
Harvey C. Miller, Development
Harvey C. Miller, Development
Harvey C. Miller, Development
Todd Moore, Development
Harvey C. Miller, Development
Harvey C. Miller, Development
Scott Morgan, Development
Harvey C. Miller, Development
Scott Morgan, Development
Rachael Trussel, Development
Ira "Brett" Trussel, Development
Ira "Brett" Trussel, Development
Ira "Brett" Trussel, Development
Ira "Brett" Trussel, Development
Ira "Brett" Trussel, Development
Steve Ambrose, Emeritus
Ira "Brett" Trussel, Development
Steve Ambrose, Emeritus
Bet Cake, Emeritus
John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary
Steve Ambrose, Emeritus
John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary
John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary
John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary
Tidewater Winds Founder, Sidney Berg, 1985
Founding Director, Maestro Sid Berg
The late C. Sidney Berg founded The Tidewater Winds Professional Concert Band in 1985 to provide an opportunity for residents of the Hampton Roads area to enjoy free professional band concerts in the “Sousa Band” tradition. Funding comes from various local and state grants, as well as contributions from businesses and individuals. The inaugural concert of this band took place on July 7, 1985 at Norfolk’s Town Point Park. Maestro Berg conducted the Winds until his passing in 2000. Sidney Berg died at 81, on April 30, 2000, in Virginia Beach. Sidney Berg was a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he received his B.M. and M.M. degrees in music education. He came to Norfolk in 1944 as band director and later orchestra director at Maury High School. The band, under his leadership for 19 years, earned national recognition.
In 1963, Sidney became director of music education for the Norfolk Public School System. He established, over the next 23 years, a string and harp program and a series of All City Annual Concerts at Chrysler Hall. He also organized and conducted an All City Wind Ensemble. He was, for 42 years, the principal timpanist for the Norfolk (now Virginia) Symphony. He became the founding and principal conductor of the Tidewater Youth Orchestra in 1972. Mr. Berg served as president of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Dircctors Association and the Virginia Music
Educators Association. The American School of Band Directors Association awarded him in 1975 the coveted Edwin Franko Goldman Award for distinguished service in the school band field.
In 1985, Sidney, founded and conducted Tidewater Winds Professional Concert Band. Sidney enjoyed the support of the public and was honored to see the concert halls filled to capacity. It was his joy to touch people with music. He was elected to membership in 1996 to the American Bandmaster Association and was to be awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Music, from the Shenandoah University.
Resident Vocalists
Danielle Roby
Annamarie Smith-Butz
Annamarie Smith-Butz
Danielle Roby holds a Bachelor's in Vocal Music from Old Dominion University and a Master's in Education from the University of Virginia. She has returned to performing after retiring as a choral music administrator from Norfolk Public Schools. Since retirement, she has performed as a vocal soloist with Tidewater Winds, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and in appearances with pianist Dr. Gad Brosch. Performance venues include Rivers Casino, Sandler Center, Zeiders American Theater, Ferguson Center, and Varia. She also maintains an active schedule as a Choral Conductor and Clinician when not performing.
Annamarie Smith-Butz
Annamarie Smith-Butz
Annamarie Smith-Butz
After 16 years in New York City, Annamarie Smith-Butz moved back to Tidewater in 1999 with her husband Wolf. They met at the New York Swing Dance Society, when Wolf asked her, “Shall we dance?” Having covered 28,000 miles playing Eliza in the national tour of My Fair Lady and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Annamarie also starred in such theatrical productions as Call Me Madame, Can Can, Shenandoah, Oliver! and The King And I. She traveled around the world on Holland America Cruise Lines as a headline entertainer for two world cruises. She produced and performed a one-woman show at the Village Gate in New York. She is Past President of the Board of Directors of Virginia Musical Theatre and when Annamarie is not pursuing her love of music, she works as a program manager in the IT industry.
Tidewater Winds presents Pinocchio to schools
Tidewater Winds' Reading In Music Education "Pinocchio" program is in classrooms until November 3rd. The Winds perform the main stage production for students November 5th through the 13th! Thank you to our community for supporting Literacy and Music Education!