Concordia University Wisconsin’s premier wind, brass, and percussion ensemble will soon embark upon its spring tour
From Feb. 27 to March 8, the 50-instrument group will perform a total of eight concerts – free and open to the public – and two high school clinicals at sites throughout Wisconsin and in Minnesota.
Alumni, church congregants, and the community at large are invited to save the date to attend a concert in their area. All concerts are free and open to the public. A free will offering will be taken at the end of the concert. Here are the spring tour performance dates:
Thursday, February 27
7pm at Trinity Lutheran Church
824 Wisconsin Ave. Sheboygan, WI
Friday, February 28
*Clinical at N.E.W. Lutheran High
1311 S. Robinson Ave. Green Bay, WI
7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church
601 E. Glendale Ave. Appleton, WI
Saturday, March 1
7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church
1919 Wyatt Ave. Stevens Point, WI
Sunday, March 2
7 p.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church
1915 Hogeboom Ave. Eau Claire, WI
Monday, March 3
7 p.m. at Crossview Lutheran Church
6645 McCauley Trail W. Edina, MN
Tuesday, March 4
*Clinical at Concordia Academy
2400 North Dale Street Roseville, MN
7 p.m. at Mayer Lutheran
306 7th St. NE Mayer, MN
Thursday, March 6
7 p.m. at Hope Lutheran High
312 E. Broadway Winona, MN
Friday, March 7
7 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
300 Broadway Drive Sun Prairie, WI
*Clinics are not open to public attendance. Parents interested in attending may contact the school’s music director for details.
About the Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Under the direction of Dr. Louis A. Menchaca since 1992, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) has performed in churches, schools, universities and concert halls in 38 states, including Hawaii. The group has also taken six European tours, most recently completing a highly successful international concert tour in Spain that featured multiple sold-out, standing-room-only performances.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has released seven CD recordings under Menchaca’s tenure. The most recent compilation was featured on ITunes and Spotify in 2024. From such a rich repository of recordings, the group has been featured on local, network, live, and cable television and radio. The SWE also received international exposure when the group performed for former U.S. President George W. Bushduring his 2004 commencement address on Concordia’s Mequon campus. Most recently, the SWE has received critical acclaim for outstanding musical performance from local print media.
Annual tours are a focus of both team ministry and artistry as the group receives invitations from around the continental US to perform at LCMS Lutheran congregations, assisting with worship services, performing music education clinics for school youth and assisting in local charitable causes.
Want in?
Since 1881, a core part of Concordia University’s mission has been to teach and prepare students for careers and vocations that serve The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and music plays an important role in the development of Christian servants. At CUW, students have the opportunity to major, minor, or participate extra-curricularly in a broad range of music ensembles, including instrumental, choral, and handbell. Each year the premier ensemble within each genre takes a tour throughout the region or continental United States. International travel has taken band, choir, and handbells to Asia, Europe, and South America.