The Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble was overwhelmingly pleased to play for its community for the 4th of July festivities in Solvang, California. This 2021 concert came after a pandemic lockdown lasted over one year and all rehearsals and public concerts had ceased. As the nation not only celebrates its independence but the ending of the pandemic’s effects, the wind ensemble celebrated its return to its mission: to provide free community music for the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley!
Valley Wind Ensemble Continues to Delight and Inspire
Santa Ynez Valley Star (November 2018) - Pamela Dozois, Contributing Writer
The Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble is a local treasure, not only for those who want to hear beautiful music but for those who want to play it.
The ensemble offers musicians the opportunity to perform for the public multiple times each year. Presently it is made up of 30 musicians under the direction of Maestra Sharon Jeskey, formerly music director at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School and now the music director at San Luis Obispo High School.
“Our mission is to provide concerts to the public, free of charge. We are an all-volunteer group of musicians who donate our time and talents purely for the love of music,” said percussionist Sid Goldstien. ...
During the year the ensemble performs a spring concert at Mission Santa Inez and gazebo concerts at Solvang Park in early June, the Fourth of July, and Yulefest. It also performs for the local Memorial Day ceremony, and in the fall it has a concert at St. Mark’s in Los Olivos. It also performs at the Atterdag Village retirement community once or twice a year. More
Celebrating 25 Years of Community Music
Press Release - July 2016
With the end of the 2015-2016 season, the Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble and conductor Sharon Jeskey are proud to announce their bringing music to the valley for twenty-five years. It was a memorable year with many highlights which included their annual fall and spring concerts and the annual participation in Solvang's Julefest. The group was invited for the first time to perform at the community's annual Memorial Day commemoration.
The wind ensemble performed an afternoon concert in the park at Solvang Park in June, which highlighted soloists in the first half of the concert and a "spy" theme in the latter half. The musical group closed out the 2015-2016 season with another yearly tradition: performing prior to the Fourth of July festivities in downtown Solvang. The wind ensemble is looking forward to the next twenty years!
The Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble, conducted by Sharon Jeskey, visited the 35th annual Sutherland Wind Festival in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday, Mar. 22. This marks the first time the group has ever performed outside the Santa Ynez Valley.
The festival, which took place at Fresno State University, consisted of a performance of three songs, followed by an instructional clinic with Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland, for whom the festival is named.
Santa Ynez Valley News (June 2011) - Dave Bermis, Managing Editor
A Danish prince received a royal welcome and in return charmed large crowds Saturday evening in the “Danish Capital of America” as Solvang continued to celebrate its centennial year with a visit by the husband of Queen Margrethe II. A crowd of 600 or more filled Solvang Park for a formal welcome and a celebration of Prince Consort Henrik’s 77th birthday, which coincidentally was Saturday.
The “royal birthday party” featured remarks by the prince; recognition of Solvang’s centennial; serving of a birthday cake, cookies and kringles; and solo and group singing as well as music by the Valley Wind Ensemble.
Santa Ynez Valley Journal (January 2009) - Wendy Thompson, Staff Writer
Just like the line of a Joni Mitchell tune, “He played Real Good for Free,” the Valley Wind Ensemble asks for nogratuity nor reward except their own. Each of its 35 musicians can be found every Thursday night, flipping pages and following Music Director Sharon Jeskey’s every motion. Valley Wind Ensemble members devote several hours of practice each week because they love music and the valley. “We really get excited about our music,” said Ethel Larrabee, former Valley Wind Ensemble president.
Santa Ynez Valley News (March 2007) - Pamela Dozois
The Valley Wind Ensemble, now in its 16th year, will perform its Spring Concert at Old Mission Santa Ines at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18. The Valley Wind Ensemble is a true Valley treasure. It reflects a civility common in times gone by. Under the corporate structure of Arts Outreach Inc., they perform more than a dozen free concerts each year throughout the Valley.
The group has two formal black-tie concerts, its spring concert at Old Mission Santa Ines and fall concert at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos. The group also graces most community events including the Vikings Christmas Party for Special Needs Children, Winterfest, Fourth of July, Veterans Day ceremonies, concerts in the Park to name a few, along with entertaining the senior citizens at various Valley homes for the elderly. All these concerts are free to the public.
Santa Ynez Valley News (October 2005) - Staff Report
The Hurricane Music Festival is to be a celebration of local musicianship and it’s all for a great cause. Organizer and musician Michael Roberts has put together an exciting lineup of local jazz and rock groups to perform at a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in the Family Center of the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church in Ballard.
Featured acts include the Valley Wind Ensemble sponsored by Arts Outreach and led by Sharon Jesky, with Mellonie Irvine providing vocals, local rock ‘n’ rollers the Grasshoppers, the pop/jazz group Remnant featuring Alan Satchwell, guitarist Steve Ochoa with the Usual Suspects, and the Valley Quintet with Bear Erickson, playing Jazz.