Toxcina King
Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds (LAWinds) presents its fall concert Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m. in the Pierce Performing Art Building (PAB).
LAWinds performs seasonally in addition to the annual High School Band Festival. Community members and students who are amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians perform in this 85-member ensemble. They are known for playing a wide variety of distinguished works from symphonic wind compilations, according to Pierce music department Chairman, Stephen Piazza.
“This concert is called ‘Stars of the LAWinds’ and we are featuring some of our most talented musicians in the group,” said Piazza. “We are also featuring a great tuba solo called ‘Tubby the Tuba’ and we’re doing a new piece by music instructor James Domine called ‘Concerto Improvazanto.'”
Since 1995, LAWinds has performed more than 225 works or chamber pieces.
LAWinds is an affiliate of Pierce and offers a class taught by Piazza for band members expected to enroll in the college. This supports the band by showing the college that musicians consider it an important part of the curriculum and provides a solid funding source for the band. The college pays the music director’s salary and provides rehearsal and performance spaces.
The summer season culminated with the popular “Concerts in the Park” series organized by the San Fernando Valley Cultural Center and Warner Park which drew an audience of thousands.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door of PAB. This event is open to the public and early arrival is suggested.