Partners in Education

Tidewater Winds Student Intern Program is a regionally acclaimed educational program, designed to enhance band and orchestra students' knowledge and training in music performance and arts administration. Students are auditioned from regional high school districts and colleges. Between 15 and 25 students are selected to participate and perform with our professional musicians through the summer intensive. Students also receive private lessons, Master Classes, guest artist lecture series, and resume and career support. The program is entirely funded by donors who sponsor a student and encourage their development. 

Limited positions are available as part of our summer music internship program. Students audition for up to 25 spots. Those selected will perform 4-weeks of music in July and August, side-by-side with our professional musicians during our free summer concert series. Each student receives a stipend for their time and will serve as an ambassador to their home city while representing Tidewater Winds. Included as part of the training program are…

Master Classes

Private Lesson Vouchers

Mentorship Program

Guest Speaker Series

Ensemble Training

Career Planning

Auditions to be held this spring on Sunday, May 18, 2025

1 PM

Norfolk Collegiate Band Room, Norfolk, VA

The audition repertoire is on our website…

https://tidewaterwinds.org/auditions%2Fcareers

Sponsor an Intern

You can support the student intern with a sponsorship of $250 to help cover the costs involved with student stipends, music preparation, guest lecturers, private instruction and career planning. There are changes to the sponsorship program. In order to help protect the students and our donors, general letters of introduction will be provided by students at the beginning of the program, and a letter of gratitude will be sent at the end of the program through the Tidewater Winds management team. Personal emails and addresses will not be shared. 

Tidewater Winds' R.i.M.E Project, or Reading in Music Education Project, is an original Tidewater Winds program designed by Maestro John Brewington and Winds staff that combines education support for literacy with music appreciation. Students in 3rd and 4th grades, experience in-classroom lessons on a story that will later be performed by Tidewater Winds and their arts partners in matinee concerts. During the in-school lessons, docent musicians support the classroom teacher with examples of theme and variation and the emotional impact of music. The matinee concerts are performed with the full Concert Band at Sandler Center. Literacy and music stations adorn the lobby for student interaction before the concert. A comprehensive Library initiative shares the classroom learning project with homeschool students and the community at large. Partners on this project include local arts commissions, local school districts, Sandler Center, and Rainbow Pupets. RIME performs the story of Pinocchio and is accompanied by our own published book and lesson plans provided for each student at our schools.

Tidewater Winds is proud to be a musical support to the Academy of Music "Band Together" Program. Band-Together is a pilot program that provides instrumental music instruction for individuals with and without disabilities on traditional band instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion.) Taught by Ms. Karen Jackson and Ms. Beckie Jones, both veteran band teachers with experience with people with disabilities, the program  offers individual or small group lessons and a weekly evening ensemble rehearsal starting in September, 2021.

The objectives of the Band-Together pilot program are to:

1. Provide high level of instrumental music instruction, individuals, all abilities.

2. Give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to learn a band instrument.

3. Teach group cooperation, team work and ensemble playing skills.

4. Bring community together to enjoy music, in a supporting experience.