AmuZbooZ: Benefits of Getting Involved in Music

WEST VALLEY WIND ENSEMBLE

AN ACTIVE ADULT CONCERT BAND

Presents

Sun City West Zymurgy Club October Program.

BENEFITS OF GETTING INVOLVED IN MUSIC

West Valley Wind Ensemble is a community band of about 50 volunteer members, who play brass, wind and percussion instruments. This group is under the accomplished and expert direction of Mr. Clark Chaffee. The Ensemble includes both amateur and retired music professionals who join us from diverse professions and experience. All share a common bond; the desire to perform and share great music for listeners of all ages.

West Valley Wind Ensemble has established a strong relationship and commitment to the Valley View Food Bank. We give concerts in the West Valley area, seeking donations of non-perishable food items. Donated funds are used to cover costs of the Band’s operation and shared with the Food Bank. Check out our Facebook page at West Valley Wind Ensemble or website at www.westvalleywindensemble.org for concert schedules and further updates.

Speakers

Jim Wise, Biography

Tenor Saxophone, Kettering Civic Band, Kettering, Ohio; Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet, Surprise Pops Band; Clarinet, Sun City Concert Band; Tenor Saxophone, West Valley Wind Ensemble; Clarinet, Mellow Winds; Tenor Saxophone, Saguaro Saxes; Tenor Saxophone, Wolfe Pack Swing Band; Currently President of the West Valley Wind Ensemble.

Clark Chaffee Biography

Our director is Mr. Clark Chaffee. With extensive experience as a performer, conductor, and music educator, Mr. Chaffee brings a unique blend of perspectives to the podium. He is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and has earned music degrees from University of Michigan and Northern Illinois University. NIU named him the 2014 Distinguished Alum from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Illinois ASTA chapter named him the 2011 Classroom Teacher of the Year. He, his ensembles, and the Stevenson High School music PLC team have been recognized by numerous organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, the US Department of Education, the Kennedy Center, the Grammy Foundation and the Conductors Guild.

Now retired from his career building school orchestra and guitar programs, he remains active as a clinician and conductor. Mr. Chaffee has extensive experience conducting concert repertoire, and has also directed opera and musical theater production with a wide variety of ensembles and age levels. His professional performing experience includes being a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus; timpanist for the Chicago Civic Orchestra, Elgin Symphony, Rockford Symphony and others; drummer/vocalist/leader in many professional big bands and jazz combos. At an amateur level, Mr. Chaffee's experience includes many concerts and recitals playing bass, cello, viola, and classical guitar.

Since moving to the Phoenix area in 2013, Mr. Chaffee has been an active teacher, performer and clinician. In addition to his role as conductor of the West Valley Wind Ensemble, he conducts the Surprise Pops Band, and is summer music director/drummer for the Sun City All Stars Jazz Band. He performs regularly (drummer/vocalist) in several West Valley jazz ensembles including the Sun City Stomperz (classic Dixieland), leader/drummer for SwingTime AZ jazz ensemble, and bassist/vocalist with Olde Folk folk music ensemble. He is represented by Open Sky Artist Management.