The wind band program at Youngstown State University encompasses a wide range of performance groups from concert bands and chamber groups to marching, pep, and jazz organizations. Over 275 students perform annually in one or more of these bands. Comprised of the top wind and percussion students in the Dana School of Music, the SWE performs a broad spectrum of music. The ensemble has been involved in numerous commissions and has had recent in-residence experiences with Michael Colgrass, Joseph Schwantner, Karel Husa, Samuel Adler, Eric Ewazen, Frank Ticheli, Adam Frey, Anthony Iannaccone, Donald Sinta, David Gillingham, James Keene, Don Wilcox, and Ed Lisk. Husa called the SWE’s performance of his music “inspiring,” Ticheli stated that the band “performed my music beautifully” and that the group was “Hot!” Schwantner complimented the ensemble for “their artistry, and for their care, and consideration” of his music, and Colgrass thanked the group for its “wonderful performance and recording” of his work. The YSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed at the MENC Biennial Convention, for numerous OMEA State Conventions, for CBDNA Regional and National Conventions, and at the ABSDA National Convention. In March 2005 the band made its début in Carnegie Hall. Urban Requiem is
