The McAllen Wind Ensemble is excited to announce that its 2024-2025 concert season will be free to the public, thanks to the generous support of the McAllen Performing and Cultural Arts Foundation. The Foundation is committed to advancing and enhancing the performing arts and performing arts education in McAllen and throughout the Rio Grande Valley. After a historic season, celebrating its golden anniversary, the organization is excited for this new partnership to open up their concerts to even more people.

While concerts are free, entrance will require an electronic ticket. They can be obtained by going to the organization’s website www.mcallenwindensemble.org. Assistance will also be provided at the door for those who require it.

The concert season begins on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center with A Salute to our Armed Forces. A Salute to our Armed Forces celebrates the service of Veterans who have served in all branches of the armed forces. Music includes traditional marches, pieces commemorating specific historical moments, and a few audience favorites thrown in for good measure.

Two Veteran performers that enjoy music, and especially enjoy participating in this production are Dr. Malcolm James Coleman Jr. and Byron Engle. Both musicians hope the music touches the hearts of Veterans, noting that they know how much the music touches them since they are Veterans, and hope it does touch others. Both men love their country, love life and love music.

Coleman was an E4 in the US Army and played for the NORAD Band. He enjoys all of the songs, especially ones he remembers playing while with the NORAD Band. He enjoys playing the “US Field Artillery March,” which is one he has done many, many times over the years, he said. Coleman also enjoys his solos and being able to participate in the McAllen Wind Ensemble.

Coleman said “Americans We” is a song that is special to him. It is a song he played regularly as part of the NORAD Band. The band was made up of members from both the United States and Canada – “So we were both Americans,” he said.

Engle was an E5 in the Army, joining in 1968. He did six months of intensive training in the armed forces school of music – where he really learned to play and came out on a professional level, he said. He spent two years at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio in the Fourth Army Band. He said he remembers they entered a music on tape contest, and he won first place in a five-state area on his tuba. He retired in 2006 after teaching music, including being a head band director, for 33 years.

“Music is my life,” he said. The only thing better than music was being with the kids – “They kept me going.”

I can’t pick just one, said Engle about what song he likes most. He does really like the “Armed Forces Medley” – pointing out that the army is first, then the marines, “The marines like to think they are ahead of us, but they aren’t.”

“This concert means a lot to me,” said Engle. “As does every concert…I like patriotic concerts because I am a patriot.”

Currently, the organization has about 75 musicians from across the region ranging in age and professional background. Out of a love of music and a desire to improve the cultural offerings available in our community, they volunteer their time to rehearse once a week to perform. The current Music Director is Roger Olivarez. The 2024-2025 season will have three more concerts during the season. – Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Organized in 1973 and chartered in 1974, the Town Band Association has been sustained over the years by a love of music, both among its dedicated members and a supportive McAllen and Rio Grande Valley community. A McAllen businessman, Bill Wilson, was impressed by the energetic presence of concert bands which he had observed playing in many Mexican plazas. The thought of Archer Park in McAllen being unused inspired the idea to form a community band. With the support of band directors and the business community, the group began to rehearse in 1973 and perform in 1974 under inaugural Music Director, Paul Garrett. The organization operates with strong support from McAllen Parks and Recreation, the McAllen Performing Arts Center, and the City of McAllen.

The all-volunteer group of musicians currently performs a series of four ticketed concerts and several community performances each year under the name the McAllen Wind Ensemble. The organization continues its mission to improve the quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley and promote a greater appreciation of music through regular public concerts. For more information, visit www.mcallenwindensemble.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

South Texas Health System is the 51st concert season sponsor, helping bring new musical memories to audiences. As a nonprofit organization sustained by the community’s support, the organization also seeks to partner with local businesses who wish to advertise or sponsor programs. For more information, please contact info@mcallenwindsemble.org.

Join the McAllen Wind Ensemble on November 12 for a patriotic, energetic, and exciting Salute to our Armed Forces.