Tidewater Winds

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Tidewater Winds

Tidewater WindsTidewater WindsTidewater Winds
Home
About
Concerts Events
Education
Giving
Videos
News
Honor Wall
Auditions/Careers
Our FAITH-ful Followers
For Media
History/Archives
Annual Golf Tournament
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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 free 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 artistic growth.

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)

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.


Memberships

Memberships

SCC Certification Digital Donor Compliance

SCC Certification Digital Donor Compliance

SCC Certification Digital Donor Compliance

WebTrust for Certification Authorities is an assurance program, formerly the American Institute of C

WebTrust for Certification Authorities (CAs) is an assurance program, formerly known as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), to increase confidence in the digital identity verification process provided by CAs. It verifies that a CA is properly following its Certificate Policy and Certification Practice Statement (CP/CPS), verifying organizations, and protecting its certificate keys. 

Volunteer Hampton Roads Member

SCC Certification Digital Donor Compliance

SCC Certification Digital Donor Compliance

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads is the only comprehensive volunteer center in Hampton Roads, serving all loc

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads is the only comprehensive volunteer center in Hampton Roads, serving all localities in the region. We work with our nonprofit members to build their capacity and achieve their missions by providing training, facilitating volunteerism, coordinating large-scale projects, or by complimenting their work through our programs and outreach. As a local leader in nonprofit excellence, we have learned the importance of staying consistent, mission-focused and deepening programs and service deliveries.

Resident Artists Sandler Center

SCC Certification Digital Donor Compliance

Members of The Association of Concert Bands

For more than a decade, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts has offered residencies to some o

For more than a decade, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts has offered residencies to some of Hampton Roads most innovative and groundbreaking performing arts organizations. Tidewater Winds is proud to be one of 9 Sandler Center Resident Artists. 

Members of The Association of Concert Bands

Members Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program

Members of The Association of Concert Bands

The mission of the Association of Concert Bands is to foster excellence in Concert Band music throug

The mission of the Association of Concert Bands is to foster excellence in Concert Band music through performance, education, and advocacy.

Members Association of Fundraising Professionals

Members Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program

Members Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program

Mission:
The Association of Fundraising Professionals empowers individuals and organizations to prac

Mission:
The Association of Fundraising Professionals empowers individuals and organizations to practice ethical fundraising through professional education, networking, research and advocacy.

Members Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program

Members Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program

Members Virginia Commission for the Arts Passport Program

Tidewater Winds is thrilled to participate in the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) Passport Program, an arts-access initiative created in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Through the Passport Program, recipients of Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) benefits in Virginia can access discounts at participating arts and cultural organizations across the Commonwealth.




Musicians

 Flute

Erika Frydenlund

Amber Kidd

Josh Stone

Oboe

Rena Long

Harvey Stokes

Bassoon

Stephanie Sanders

Christopher Simmons

Contrabassoon

Laura Parker

Clarinet

Alan Brown

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

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 K. Williams, professional arts administrator, composer, performer, 30-years in arts admin.

Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director

Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director

Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director

John Brewington, Music Director with 40 years in school arts admin and professional performance.

John Brewington, Music Director

Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director

Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director

Dr. Chad McGill, Personnel Manager, Trumpeter, Music Professor, Arranger.

Dr. Chad McGill, Operations Manager

Michael-Kerry Williams, Executive Director

Dr. Chad McGill, Operations Manager

Staff / Crew / Support / Contracted

Executive - Michael K. Williams

Music Director - John Brewington

Music Director - John Brewington

Music Director - John Brewington

Music Director - John Brewington

Music Director - John Brewington

Operations - Chad McGill

Music Director - John Brewington

Operations - Chad McGill

Personnel - Amber Kidd

Musician Liaison - Josh Stone

Operations - Chad McGill

Musician Liaison - Josh Stone

Musician Liaison - Josh Stone

Musician Liaison - Josh Stone

Crew Chief - Kara Soboski

Musician Liaison - Josh Stone

Musician Liaison - Josh Stone

Librarian - Alan Brown

Senior Crew - Ian Wallace

Truck Driver - Greg Neil

Truck Driver - Greg Neil

Senior Crew - Ian Wallace

Truck Driver - Greg Neil

Senior Crew - Ian Wallace

Senior Crew - Ian Wallace

Volunteer Ambassador - Steve Alcox

Volunteer Ambassador - Steve Alcox

Sound Engineer - Dylan Reyas & SJI Media LLC

Volunteer Ambassador - Steve Alcox

Sound Engineer - Dylan Reyas & SJI Media LLC

Sound Engineer - Dylan Reyas & SJI Media LLC

Sound Engineer - Dylan Reyas & SJI Media LLC

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

Welcome newest Board Member Harvey C. Miller, Development

Welcome newest Board Member Harvey C. Miller, Development

Welcome newest Board Member Harvey C. Miller, Development

Todd Moore, Development

Welcome newest Board Member Harvey C. Miller, Development

Welcome newest Board Member Harvey C. Miller, Development

Scott Morgan, Development

Welcome newest Board Member 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

John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary

John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary

John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary

John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary

John Philip Sousa IV, Honorary

Community Advisors

Elbert Watson

Audrey Lassiter

Audrey Lassiter

Audrey Lassiter

Audrey Lassiter

Audrey Lassiter

Tim Ritter

Audrey Lassiter

Michael LeMelle

Michael LeMelle

Michael LeMelle

Michael LeMelle

Gwen Jenkins

Michael LeMelle

Bobby Melatti

Bobby Melatti

Michael LeMelle

Bobby Melatti

BJ Griffin

Dr. Ella Ward

Dr. Ella Ward

Dr. Ella Ward

Dr. Ella Ward

Dr. Ella Ward

Scott Foxwell

Dr. Ella Ward

Scott Foxwell

Mike Barber

Mike Barber

Mike Barber

Chad Hugo

Mike Barber

Mike Barber

Gary Spell

Mike Barber

Gary Spell

Joel Rubin

Brenden Hoyle

Gary Spell

Brenden Hoyle

Brenden Hoyle

Brenden Hoyle

Joe Harmon

Brenden Hoyle

Brenden Hoyle

Buddy Creasy

Steve Ambrose

Steve Ambrose

Steve Ambrose

Steve Ambrose

Steve Ambrose

Danielle Roby

Steve Ambrose

Danielle Roby

John Chenault

John Chenault

Danielle Roby

Doug Olenik

John Chenault

Doug Olenik

Jill Kane

John Chenault

Doug Olenik

Composers/Arrangers

Dr. Christopher Palestrant

Dr. Christopher Palestrant

Dr. Christopher Palestrant

Dr. Chad McGill

Dr. Christopher Palestrant

Dr. Christopher Palestrant

Adolphus Hailstork

Dr. Christopher Palestrant

Adolphus Hailstork

John Brewington

John Brewington

Adolphus Hailstork

John Dixon

John Brewington

John Dixon

Aldo Forte

John Brewington

John Dixon

James Hosay

James Hosay

James Hosay

Buddy White

James Hosay

James Hosay

Arts Partners

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

IMGoing

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Virginia Beach Chorale

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Virginia Beach Chorale

Symphonicity

Virginia Beach Chorale

Academy of Music's Band Together

Regent University

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

FFX

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Norfolk Collegiate

Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Norfolk Collegiate

Zeiders Theatre

Little Theatre of VA Beach

Norfolk Collegiate

Little Theatre of VA Beach

Little Theatre of VA Beach

Little Theatre of VA Beach

Kroc Center, Norfolk

Little Theatre of VA Beach

Little Theatre of VA Beach

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 in Vocal Music from Old Dominion University and a Masters in Education from The University of Virginia. She recently retired as Senior Coordinator of Music and Theatre for Norfolk Public Schools with thirty-three years of service. Prior to leading the department, she served as both Elementary Music Teacher and High School Choral Director. Her Norview High School Choirs scored consistent Superior Ratings at VMEA Assessment and numerous 1st Place awards in competitions held in Atlanta, Myrtle Beach, Maryland and Virginia. She has conducted many all city and regional choirs, and presented clinics at the state level for the Virginia Music Educators Association. She is currently supervising vocal music student teachers for Old Dominion University.  She has recently performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra as host and soloist for the Young Peoples Concert series, and loves performing with the TWW Little Big Band! . 

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.    

Hire Tidewater Winds for your next special event!

We are your one-stop-shop for the hottest live music. Our bands bring the energy and excitement that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you're into classic rock, indie, or pop, we've got you covered. Join us for a night of great music and good vibes! Contact our Band Manager, Chad McGill for more information, manager@tidewaterwinds.org

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Tidewater Winds

PO Box 62000, Virginia Beach, VA 23466

757-480-0953

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40th Anniversary Summer Concerts

July 6, is the official opening night of our 40th Season! Join us for a remarkable celebration of 40 years of music! We welcome back Raymond Jones as our opening Master of Ceremonies!


Summer Concerts Schedule