The Savannah Wind Symphony, formally known as the Armstrong Community Band, began in 1977. Then band director, Stephen Brandon, in an effort to spur growth of the college band, began inviting high school musicians to join the college musicians. Over the next couple of years, community musicians began joining the ensemble. The band rehearsed one night a week and performed one concert each term.
In fall 1984, Michael Campbell was hired as band director. At first, there was still only one band, comprised of both college students and community members, but the ensemble was growing. Concerts continued each term, often with a guest band or a guest band director.
In the fall of 1985, James Anderson became the department head of art and music. In fall 1987, he and Campbell saw the need to organize two bands. The college band met during the day and the community band rehearsed on Monday evenings. From fall 1990 to spring 1992, Anderson served as interim band director of both the college and the community bands. Ed Caughran joined Armstrong’s music department as associate director of the community band in January 1992. For the first time, on February 18, 1992, the community band played a concert without sharing a program with the Armstrong college band.
In fall 1993, William Keith became director of both college and community bands. Caughran continued to be the associate director and guest conductor at the concerts.
In fall 1996, Anderson returned as interim director and expanded the community band’s reach into the community, including the Olympic Torch Ceremony on River Street
Our beloved conductor, Mark Johnson became the director of bands at Armstrong in fall 1997. Under his leadership the community band became more widely known and respected. Continuing the band’s traditions, Johnson instituted new ideas, which over the years have become traditions themselves. It was Johnson who renamed the community band to its current name the “The Savannah Wind Symphony.”
The Savannah Winds Board of Directors was the driving force in raising funds for three commissioned pieces by Philip Sparke and Julie Giroux.
In 2022, The Savannah Wind Symphony became a non-profit corporation. The personnel of the band range from college students to adults ranging in age from young, to not so young, with a wide variety of professions to retirement.
Mark Johnson stated it best when asked to describe The Savannah Wind Symphony, “all are volunteer musicians committed to performing high quality repertoire at an artistic level. The ensemble continues to build a loyal fan base of audience members and offer the Coastal region another fine choice for concert attendance.”