This concert ensemble, which is regarded one of the finest in the world, was founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1985 by the Southern Methodist University music professor Howard Dunn and Kim Campbell.
When it was first established it was to be a “reading band” to allow challenging wind ensemble music to be played by freelance musicians. This led to public performances and a concert series was established in 1990.
A new artistic director was sought after the death of Howard Dunn and the position was given to Jerry F. Junkin. From the mid-1990s the Principal Guest Conductor was Frederick Fennell who stayed in that position until his death in 2004.
The orchestras has recorded at least 21 CDs to date and concert excerpts are often heard on Performance Today, which is aired on National Public Radio.
Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni recordings
Feast Day in Seville
Reference Recordings RR-52CD (CD: Trittico)
Conductor – Frederick Fennell
Leroy Anderson recordings
Belle of the Ball
Reference Rec. RR-62CD (CD: Beachcomber: Encores for Band)
Conductor – Frederick Fennell
Sources:
- http://www.dws.org/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Wind_Symphony
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dallas-wind-symphony-mn0000578852/biography
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1877251-Dallas-Wind-Symphony