About the band

BSWE and its history

The Early Years

Bucks Symphonic Wind Ensemble (BSWE) was formed in 1987 by John Davie with the support of the County Education Authority - as an extension of Buckinghamshire's regular County Wind Band courses. The musicians were all aged under 21 and many had been members of the County's Music Centres.

The ensemble burst on to the UK scene in 1988 with an outstanding performance at the BASBWE (British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles) Conference in Warwick in 1988.

Thanks to the outstanding musical directorship of the ensemble's inaugral conductors, Duncan Stubbs and Rob Wiffin, BSWE established and maintained a reputation for presenting music in a variety of styles at the very highest levels of accomplishment.

The 1990s

During the 1990s BSWE broke its ties with the County Authority and began life as an independently-run ensemble. Senior members of the ensemble - Richard Santner and Heather Morgan assisted John Davie in steering the group through this period, which climaxed with a memorable tour to Valencia in 1993.

Dr Allen Medhurst chaired the newly-formed Committee in the ensuing years and enthusiastically organised four further overseas tours for the Ensemble before stepping down in 2004. Into the 21st Century!

Although only a handful of the band's current members can claim to have been part of the Ensemble since its inception in 1987, the average age of the band has risen well above 21!

However, BSWE has continued to provide a platform and extension for younger players and links with local Music Centres have allowed many of today's performers to graduate directly from school into the Ensemble.