East Winds Symphonic Band

In the fall of 1981, three serious amateur musicians from the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh founded The East Winds Symphonic Band. The band initially consisted of 15 musicians who gathered to rehearse in a church basement in Wilkinsburg. The band had grown to 27 musicians by February 1, 1982 when the first concert was performed, directed by Jay Stivanson. The group doubled its size by the spring of 1982, and James Rossetti took over the baton in 1983, conducting for the next 7 years. In 1990, Susan Sands became the 3rd and present conductor. 

The East Winds Symphonic Band first performed at Rodef Shalom on Saturday, October 15, 1983 and this has become an annual tradition. Through the years the band has grown to over 60 musicians of all ages primarily from Forest Hills, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Squirrel Hill and other east-suburban communities. 

The band performs a wide array of music including marches, music from stage and film, symphonic works, and other music written for concert band. The band has presented concert performances in Forest Hills, Ligonier, at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Kennywood Park, and the Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch series.

Susan Sands has been the conductor of the East Winds Symphonic Band since 1990 and a member since 1988. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education, specializing in Oboe, from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. Ms. Sands also received her Masters of Education in Music from the Pennsylvania State University. She has performed on Oboe and on English Horn with the Harrisburg Symphony, the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, the Susquehanna Valley Choral Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Savoyards pit orchestra. As an educator, Ms. Sands taught in Glastonbury, CT Schools. Within western and central Pennsylvania, she taught music in the Mid-West School District, St. Benadette’s Catholic School in Monroeville, and the Moon Area School District. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and the Association of Concert Bands.