The original Oxford University Wind Orchestra was formed in 1974 to stand alongside the symphony orchestras of Oxford University. At first its numbers were small, but it soon grew in popularity, providing a much needed opportunity for wind and brass players to perform in Oxford. At its peak, OUWO was active in commissioning original works from renowned composers such as Alan Ridout. However, the burden of the orchestra's organisation fell solely upon the conductor and the workload eventually became unmanageable. OUWO declined and finally disbanded in 1995.
In its current incarnation, OUWO was re-founded in 1996 by a dedicated committee of freshers and members of the defunct precursor in order to provide an opportunity for Oxford's many wind and brass players to perform music beyond the standard symphony orchestra repertoire. Many of these early OUWO alumni who have (officially!) left Oxford are now active in running the Oxford Reunion Wind Orchestra.
The first conductor was an American named E. Bradley Strauchen (recalled by one former member as "loopy but enthusiastic") and the reformed Wind Orchestra gave its first performance with an ambitious programme including Shostakovich's Festival Overture, Walton's Crown Imperial and Grainger's Lincolnshire Posey.
Since then OUWO has gone from strength to strength, performing works ranging from Bach to Bernstein, from chamber music to concertos, and across a range of genres including wind band staples such as those of Vaughan Williams, Holst and Grainger, arrangements of orchestral masterworks such as Scheherezade, film music favourites, and challenging original pieces by contemporary composers including Paul Hart, Gordon Jacob, John Adams and David Maslanka.
Recently OUWO had the distinction of being invited to travel to the South of France to perform at the La Croix Valmer festival, giving a number of extremely well-received performances. In Hilary Term 2007 OUWO gave a joint concert with the Augustana College Symphonic Band from Illinois, USA, on their concert tour of the UK.
Future plans include entry into the National Concert Band Festival this November, and a second European tour this summer.
Founder: Colin Touchin (1974)
Re-Founder: Ian Rutt (1996).
Thanks to Alastair Wheeler, Carol Webster and Ian Rutt for some of this information.
History
