05/21/2026
From our NWS Board President:
I am so proud of my friends and colleagues in the Nashville Wind Symphony! Our second concert given last weekend was just a thrill! Andy Esch led us in a terrific program of music to celebrate America which included Will Leathers’ beautiful performance as trumpet soloist on John William’s “With Malice Toward None.” We had a terrific audience and the energy in the hall was palpable!
The roots of this ensemble go back 30+ years, first as the Nashville Wind Ensemble under the direction of Steve Rhodes, and from 2022, as the Green Hills Wind Symphony under the direction of Ben Blasko. Like its predecessors, the NWS is made up of select, volunteer adult musicians in the Middle Tennessee area, many of them band directors. Since last fall, we have been in the process of reinventing the group as a member-led, autonomous organization with 501(c)3 nonprofit status. I am so grateful for the thoughtful and conscientious leadership of great people working alongside me on our organizing committee and acting board of directors: Beth ‘Whitaker’ Davis, Laura Bistok Verdone, Ben Channell, Phillip Church, Jonathan Hooper, Carroll Gotcher Alan Suska and Harley Tatarsky. I feel like I need to pinch myself and say “yes, we’re really doing this!” when sitting on stage with you all and looking at these photos now.
We are so blessed to have incredible conductors to lead us through the four concerts of our first year of performances - Andy, who also performed on French Horn in our first concert, Barry Kraus, who conducted us this past March and played trumpet on this concert - then coming up on the podium in the fall: Gary Schallert and Jeff Miller. The commitment, years of experience and wisdom of these four wonderful musicians are going to be so significant in building the foundation of our ensemble and shaping its musical standards and culture for years to come!
(Photo Credit: Brian Copeland)
~ Carole Smith Grooms
