Carolinas Wind Orchestra

The Carolinas Wind Orchestra (CWO), directed by Dr. Lorrie Crochet, was founded over twenty years ago by William Malambri, DMA, Professor of Music, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC. As a community band and part of Winthrop University’s music program, the CWO provides opportunities for local professional and semi-professional musicians as well as advanced student wind and percussion majors to rehearse and perform with a high-quality musical ensemble. Each semester, up to eight Winthrop music majors are selected to perform with the CWO and receive academic credit for their participation. The CWO comprised of approximately 90 players, rehearses weekly at Winthrop University’s Byrnes Auditorium under direction of Dr. Crochet. Two concerts are scheduled each semester with one being performed at Winthrop University and one performed at a local high school. Integration of the band with local high school music programs is part of the CWO’s educational mission.

Tradition and Local Culture

As a true community band, all CWO instrumentalists are volunteers. Members of the ensemble are selected by audition and perform at concerts depending on the required instrumentation for the pieces performed. A majority of the CWO’s membership are past and present public school music teachers with over 75 percent of players holding bachelors or higher music degrees. Other’s occupations range from accountants to an airline pilot. The CWO is a not-for-profit South Carolina corporation with the stated purpose to

• Promote music education through the public performance of concert band music.
• Provide for the musical growth and expression of its members and provide the means for musicians of advanced proficiency to interact and to perform.
• Foster an appreciation for concert band music.
• Perpetuate the community concert band as integral to the traditions of American music.