2021 Columbia Summer Winds Season Announcement!

The CSW Board is optimistically contemplating a 2021 summer season. This would involve outdoor, socially distanced open rehearsals and performances at locations that are part of the NYC Open Culture program. (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cecm/cultural-events/guidelines.page)

Rehearsal will likely occur during daylight hours at the same outdoor location weekly, and may be either seated or standing depending on feasibility. Our repertoire will be selected to reduce the demand on rehearsals. Performances (not rehearsals) will be conducted according to our normal procedures, with CSW percussion and chairs.

We are circulating a survey ( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdP5_W8mceDAvK5F6TN2GAGn8820RXKpW0954GNRtDjW38rjw/viewform ) to assess member interest, gather feedback, and solicit ideas. We will develop a tentative plan and apply for rehearsal and performance permits based on your responses. We would appreciate any input you can provide. Please reply the best you can, but please reply!. A final decision regarding logistical details of the season will depend on this survey, the availability of permits, and COVID-19 prevalence as the season draws nearer.

Posted on April 1, 2021 .

2018 Outdoor Composition Contest - Now Accepting Entries!

Greetings fellow musicians! We are now accepting entries into the 2018 Outdoor Composition Contest! For the first time this year there is no entry fee! In addition, the winner of this contest will be able to watch their piece performed during our 2019 summer season!

For more information, please check out this page. If there are any questions feel free to contact us at columbiasummerwinds.manager@gmail.com.

Looking forward to receiving what should be some amazing music! 

Posted on January 24, 2018 .

2017 Season Announcement & 2016 Outdoor Composition Contest Winner

We are excited to announce the following concert schedule for our 2017 Summer Season: 

Saturday, July 8th: Fort Tryon Park @ 2pm
Thursday, July 13th: Washington Square Park @ 7pm
Saturday, July 15th: Riverside Overlook, 116th Street (Rain Date #1) @ 2pm
Saturday, July 22nd: Bowling Green Park (Rain Date #2) @ 2pm

Saturday, July 29th: Central Park Bandshell @ 1pm
Saturday, August 5th: Battery Park @ 2pm

Included in our program will be Keynote Address, written by J. Scott McKenzie, the winner of the 2016 Outdoor Composition Contest

The Runners-Up Were as Follows: 
"Shoe Sweet" by Cherise Leiter
"Tall Tales" by Jukka Viiasaari
Our winner, J. Scott McKenzie, will receive $1000 and we will play and record his piece during our 2017 Summer Season.  He is a U.S. Army Band officer who has won the OCC in 2012 with A Summer Breeze. You can learn more about J. Scott McKenzie by visiting his website. We couldn’t be more excited about performing this piece this coming summer! 
 

Posted on March 30, 2017 .

2016 Outdoor Composition Contest Applications Available!

Columbia Summer Winds is thrilled to announce the start of the 2016 Outdoor Composition Contest (OCC). Applications are now open! 

The Outdoor Composition Contest is a biannual competition that seeks new, unpublished and dynamic compositions that fit the unique demands of an outdoor performance venue. Through OCC, we offer exposure for composers of all ages and the chance for one winner's piece to be performed throughout the 2017 season! 

If you - or someone you know - is interested in applying, you can check out complete information on the OCC page of our website. But hurry! Submissions are due May 6th. 

While we have to wait until the end of this summer to find out our newest winner, you can watch CSW's performance of the 2014 OCC winner: If You Could Only See the Frog by Paul Richards. 

Posted on March 8, 2016 .