By Dane Anderson, Staff Writer

The Westlake High School Wind Ensemble will be one of 15 featured performance groups at the 14th International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Sunday through July 11 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The WHS ensemble will perform on Wednesday at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.

WASBE is promoting the performances as a showcase for “15 of the finest wind bands in the world.” The conference also includes clinics, discussions and workshops. Every ensemble that performs at the conference will feature special guest conductors, soloists and new commissions.  

“It is truly an honor to be the first high school band invited to perform in the history of WASBE,” said Kerry Taylor, director of bands at WHS.  “This is a tribute to our wonderful student musicians and the fantastic support of our community and administration. We hope to represent our community well on this truly international stage.”

Other U.S. ensembles performing at the event are the U.S. Marine Band, the New Sousa Band, the North Texas Wind Symphony, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Players, the Keystone Wind Ensemble, the James Logan High School Wind Symphony and the Lockport High School Wind Symphony. 

Other bands from around the world featured at the WASBE event include the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra from England, the Philharmonic Winds Osaka from Japan, the Banda Sinfonica del Centre Artistic Musical de Betera from Spain, the China Youth Corps from the Republic of China, the Brazilian Wind Orchestra, the Frysk Fanfare Orkester from the Netherlands and the International Youth Wind Ensemble.