WINDS Summer Tour 2024 – Scotland & Ireland - June 8-18, 2024

Mrs. Gail A. Brechting – Conductor & Artistic Director

Gail Brechting is in her twenty-seventh year as the conductor of the award-winning West Michigan Concert WINDS. Under her direction, the WINDS received the John Phillip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award, America’s most prestigious community concert band award. She has organized five international tours with the WINDS, with a 2024 Scotland/Ireland tour being planned. She has had the privilege of conducting the WINDS in Chicago’s Symphony Hall, as well as the historic Carnegie Hall in New York City. Before becoming conductor, Mrs. Brechting was principal trombone with the WINDS and performed with many area music ensembles including the Traverse City Symphony, the Lansing Concert Band, The Lake Effect Brass, and the West Shore Symphony. In addition, is a soprano vocal soloist in West Michigan.

From 1996-1999 Mrs. Brechting represented MSBOA as the State Representative for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. For forty years, she has been an active district and state level adjudicator for low brass, band and orchestras as well as teaching private trombone, euphonium and tuba lessons to students of all ages.

She has been the guest conductor with the Acadia Winds in Louisiana, Hot Springs Community Band in Arkansas, was the featured conductor with the Louisiana Middle School Honors Band, and she served as guest clinician and conductor with the Winter Park High School in Florida. She is the 2019 & 2022 recipient of the Harry Begian Conductor Scholar award, through Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Mrs. Brechting is presently the Past President of the Association of Concert Bands, also serving two previous terms on the board of directors. She has recently been named the Lifelong Arts Program Director with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She is a member of the National Band Association, an Associate Member of the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors Association, an Emeritus member of Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, P.E.O. and the Women Band Directors Association. She is the first woman selected by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to serve on the Sudler Silver Scroll Award selection committee and was recently appointed the chairwomen of this committee. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree from West Michigan University. Mrs. Brechting is a former music faculty of Muskegon Community College and retired in 2019, after a 40-year public school music education career, 34 of those with the Reeths-Puffer Schools in Muskegon, MI. In her spare time, she trains and competes as a US Masters swimmer, recently attaining two gold and silver medals.

Mrs. Brechting lives in Spring Lake with her engineer/pianist husband Frank. Their daughter Annelise is a Physician Assistant in Greenville, SC.

Soloist Bios

Justin Autin, Alto Saxophone - Harlem Nocturne

Justin Auten is a dedicated music teacher residing in Twin Lake, Michigan. He serves at a public charter arts academy in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he shares his passion for music with students of all ages. Justin earned his degree in music education from Grand Valley State University in 2016 and later pursued a master's degree in TESOL from Western Michigan University, graduating in 2020.

In addition to his teaching role, Justin is an accomplished saxophonist, offering private lessons to students, several of whom have continued their musical education at local universities. He is also the principal saxophonist for the West Michigan Concert Winds, where his talents extend to solo performances and guest conducting. Justin enjoys performing and entertaining throughout the community at every given opportunity.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Justin enjoys a variety of activities including traveling, camping, leading worship at his church, spending quality time with friends and family, caring for animals, and visiting the beach. His diverse interests and commitment to his community make him a well-rounded and inspiring figure in the field of music.

Pamela Smitter, Trumpet - Tramp, Tramp, Tramp

Pamela Smitter held the Principal Trumpet position in the West Michigan Symphony for over 25 years after having spent three years performing in Venezuela as Principal Solo Trumpet in Caracas and Maracaibo symphonies. Now living in Miami, Florida, she is active as a freelance soloist. She also plays regularly with Orchestra Miami, Miami City Ballet Orchestra, and the Florida Philharmonic. Pamela studied with Armando Ghitalla for her Masters degree at the University of Michigan and attained her D.M.A. degree at Michigan State University in 2020. Currently she is on faculty at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, and in summers Pamela teaches the trumpet seminar in the Lifelong Arts program at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She is an artist for Martin Committee trumpets, and is in the process of launching her online business, DocMom Music, which focuses on coaching adult, amateur/comeback trumpeters.

Anita Lauterberg, Flute - Piccolodia

Anita is from the White Lake area where she started her musical journey with the Montage band program. She gained orchestral experience while playing with the West Shore Youth Symphony and attended both Interlochen and Blue Lake music camps. During her teen years, she studied with Helen Dauser. Following graduation from the University of Michigan, Anita joined the West Michigan Concert Winds and has been a member for over 20 years. Anita has also performed with the West Michigan Flute Orchestra and Chamber Choir, while studying with Darlene Dugan. She joined the Shoreline Community Orchestra in 2013 and plays principal flute.

Keith Kelly, Clarinet - Defiance

Keith, a former Irish military musician and conductor of the Ballinasloe Town Band in Galway. Having served as principal clarinetist of the Band of the Western Command for over 10 years, he was actively involved within Irish community banding as an educator, and conductor. Keith assisted in the founding of successful Irish concert bands such as the Clara Town Band and Midlands Wind Ensemble, the former of which would go on to win national awards at the IABCB (Irish Association of Brass and Concert Band) and South of Ireland Band Championships.

Keith served as the General Manager of the Artane Band and School of Music from 2014 -2017, where he oversaw the implementation of a major three-year strategic plan and the 1.6 million redevelopment of the school. In 2014, Keith spearheaded a team of passionate performers and music educators to found the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra. This ensemble has worked with icons such as Johan de Meij, Philip Sparke, and Mark Heron as well as being invited to perform at the WASBE International convention in the Netherlands in 2017.

Keith now conducts the Ballinasloe Town Band, a community concert and marching band in Galway, Ireland. In 2020 in response to the Corona Virus outbreak, Keith established The Global Bandroom online community and podcast creating opportunities for ensembles and musicians to connect, learn, and perform together across borders.

WINDS Concert Programs

Scotland St. Giles Cathedral with Pipe Band – June 11th

Star Spangled Banner

Scottish National Song - Arr. Nigel Edgar

American Barn Dance - Richard L. Saucedo

The Little Sparrow - Julie Giroux

Piccolodia - Jerry Brubaker
Anita Lauterberg, Piccolo Soloist

Silversides - William Owens

Tribute to the Duke - Arr. Larry Kerchner

Defiance - Arr. Robert Longfield
Keith Kelly, Clarinet Soloist

Michigan On Parade - K.L. King

Benediction - Patrick J. Burns

Summer Nights - Robert W. Smith

Stars & Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa

Highland Cathedral - Arr. Vincent Kennedy
with Piper Band

Amazing Grace - Trad. Arr. Mark Armstrong
with Piper Band

Dublin, Ireland Rathfarnham – St. Ballyroan Church - June 14th

Rathfarnham Concert Band – Vincent Kennedy, Conductor

Star Spangled Banner

Amhrán na bhFiann, Arr. A. J. Potter

American Barndance, Richard L. Saucedo

Friends, Vincent Kennedy

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, Edwin Franko Goldman
Pam Smitter, Trumpet Soloist

Little Sparrow, Julie Giroux

Hackley March, Arr. Matt Palmieri

Silversides, Arr. Matt Palmieri

Unforgettable – Jazz Duet , Arr. Toshio Mashima
Tom Allport, Trombone
Justin Auten, Alto Saxophone

Benediction, Patrick J. Burns

Addison Redline, Jeremy Bell

Michigan On Parade, K.L. King

Highland Cathedral, Arr. Vincent Kennedy
Combined Bands

Ballinasloe Town Band – Ballinasloe, Ireland the Emerald Room – June 15th

Ballinasloe Town Band & Harmonic Sounds Band from Belfast

Star Spangled Banner

Amhrán na bhFiann, Arr. A. J. Potter

American Barndance, Richard L. Saucedo

Defiance, Arr. Robert Longfield
Keith Kelly, Clarinet Soloist

Hands Across the Sea March, John Philip Sousa

Silversides, William Owens

Harlem Nocturne, Earle Hagen
Justin Autin, Alto Saxophone Soloist

Addison Redline, Jeremy Bel

The Little Sparrow, Julie Giroux

Michigan On Parade March, K.L. King

Tribute to the Duke, Arr. Larry Kerchner

Stars and Stripes Forever, John Philip Sousa

WINDS Musicians

* Indicates Principal Player

Woodwinds

Piccolo

Anita Lauterberg
Suzanne Lavin

Flute

Anita Lauterberg*
Susan Kiehl
Suzanne Lavin
Kathleen Johnston
Jan McCoy
Jenny VandenHuevel
Roxanne Deibel
Leslie Slater
Shirley Cafmeyer

Oboe

Michele Wheeler*
Kathy Mosentine

Clarinet

Paula Whisman*
Jack Slater
Cheryl Selke
James Brunner
Terri Jo Parker
Debbie Bratka
Keith Kelly
Carolyn Buboltz
Jane Bednarz
Pauline Vokits
Pat Wiesenauer