Washington Wind Symphony

The Washington Wind Symphony is comprised of 50 (give or take) dedicated musicians who gather once per week for the enjoyment of playing and preserving both classic and modern wind band literature. Operating for well over 35 years, the Washington Wind Symphony plays a four concert season at Redmond Performing Arts Center where they have gained increasing popularity in the Seattle area and beyond.

Conductor

Dr. Edwin C. Powell is the Emeritus Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), where he was responsible for the University Wind Ensemble and conducting/music education courses until his retirement in 2024. While at PLU, Dr. Powell received a Faculty Excellence Award in 2014.
He holds degrees from the University of the Pacific, the Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of North Texas. Prior to his 2005 appointment at PLU, he was the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Tennessee, where he worked with the Symphonic Band, the 350-member Pride of the Southland Marching Band, and taught conducting and music education methods.
Dr. Powell maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator worldwide, conducting groups from San Francisco to Riyadh. He is a contributing author for the popular textbook series Teaching Music Through Performance in Band and has been published in the National Band Association Journal and the Journal of Band Research. He was inducted into the Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2020.
Dr. Powell is in his second year back at the helm of the Washington Wind Symphony, having previously served as its Conductor and Music Director for 10 years.