The Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble is from Tacoma, Washington.
Dr. Ron Gerhardstein is the group's director. He is Associate Professor of Music Education and Associate Director of Bands at Pacific Lutheran University. At PLU, he directs the Concert Band and teaches coursework related to music education, instrumental methods, and the supervision of student teachers. Prior to his appointment at PLU in 2014, Dr. Gerhardstein taught for thirteen years in the West Valley School District in Yakima, WA. Recent guest conducting appearances include the WMEA Jr. All-State “Rainier” Band (2017), the South-West Washington Small Schools Honor Band (2018), the Lake Washington SD Honor Band (2018), and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Honor Band in Kobe, Japan (2019). He holds degrees from the University of Idaho (BME and MM in Saxophone Performance) and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Temple University.
Dr. Gerhardstein is the Past President of the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA), and is on the NAfME Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee (MTPAC). He makes his home in Tacoma, WA with his wife Jerilyn, a teacher librarian in the Bethel School District.
The Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble is comprised of some of the best performers of wind and percussion instruments at the University and is recognized as one of the finest groups of its kind in the entire Northwest. Following the philosophy of a player pool, adopting flexible instrumentation according to the composer’s intention, the full ensemble of approximately 50 players is soloistic and technically stunning performing chamber music, selected transcriptions, concerti and original full ensemble repertoire spanning five centuries. The Wind Ensemble is committed to championing new music and has performed numerous world premiers each year.
The ensemble performs four concerts on campus per season as well as appearing regularly at local schools, national conferences, festivals and special events.
Recent highlights have included critically acclaimed performances at the College Band Directors Association Conference, the Western International Band Clinic, the National Association for Music Educators Northwest Conference, and our state WMEA conference in Yakima. Recent international tours have included Spain, Portugal, Australia, and China.
Ensemble Website
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