An orchestra performing on stage with musicians playing various instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and a grand piano, conducted by a person standing in front.
An orchestra performing on stage with musicians playing various instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and a grand piano, conducted by a person standing in front.

About GWB

Founded in 1972 as the Glasgow Youth Band, the ensemble was established to provide talented school pupils, students and adult musicians the opportunity to perform in a symphonic wind band of the highest standard.

More than fifty years later, that original vision remains at the heart of the organisation. Glasgow Wind Band is a registered charity run by an elected committee and led artistically by its Musical Director.

The band rehearses on Monday evenings during the academic year in Glasgow’s West End and brings together around fifty experienced players from a broad range of professions and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to musical excellence. Membership is geared towards strong amateur and semi-professional musicians.

Glasgow Wind Band is recognised as one of the leading symphonic wind orchestras in the UK, performing regularly throughout Scotland and presenting a varied programme of concerts each year. The ensemble typically balances major symphonic wind repertoire with contemporary works, film music, overtures, transcriptions of orchestral classics and exciting new compositions written specifically for the wind band medium.

Among its many achievements, the band is particularly proud of its long-standing success at National and Scottish concert band festival finals, including repeated Platinum-level awards. Notable milestones include a performance for HM Queen Elizabeth II during the 2002 Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Alongside its concert programme, the band is committed to fostering musicianship, commissioning new music, engaging audiences across Scotland and supporting community events. A particular highlight of the year is the band’s annual residential rehearsal course, which allows members to focus intensively on upcoming repertoire while strengthening the social bonds that have always been central to the organisation’s success. 

Through outstanding performances, educational development and a passion for innovative wind music, Glasgow Wind Band continues to build on a proud tradition spanning more than five decades.

Music Director

After more than 35 years of being conducted and directed by Kevin Price, Glasgow Wind Band is currently recruiting a new music director with auditions commencing August 26.

An orchestra performing in a concert hall with a conductor in the center. The conductor's face is replaced with a swirling question mark, and he is holding a baton. The audience is visible in the background.