Our History
From a single clarinetist’s vision in 1958 to one of the West Coast’s premier wind symphonies — a story of musical excellence, community, and continuous growth.
The San Jose Wind Symphony (SJWS) is the West Coast's premier wind symphony, providing high-quality musical performances for audiences of all ages. SJWS performs five to seven concerts a year at venues in the Bay Area. Each concert is a mixture of contemporary, classical and popular works for wind ensemble or symphonic band.
SJWS believes that music and the arts improve the quality of life for all citizens. SJWS has become a family-oriented, classical music mainstay for San Jose and the Silicon Valley. We strive not only to continue the grand tradition of concert bands and the legacies of Sousa and Fillmore, but to enhance and promote the wind ensemble experience in the 21st century. We do this by commissioning new works and by providing an opportunity for non-professional musicians to continue to perform at the highest levels.
SJWS is an all-volunteer ensemble composed of approximately 55 woodwind, brass and percussion performers. The group rehearses once a week for two and a half hours; a typical concert requires six weeks of rehearsals. Although most SJWS members have day jobs in Silicon Valley, the group still achieves a consistently high level of musicianship.
In 1998, SJWS received the prestigious Sudler Silver Scroll, the highest national honor that can be achieved by a community band. The Sudler Silver Scroll is awarded annually by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to recognize those bands which demonstrate a high standard of excellence over a period of several years and have played a significant role in the cultural and musical environment of their local communities.
In its 65+ years, SJWS has earned a worldwide reputation for entertaining programs and superb musicianship. The group has been invited to perform at conferences and festivals throughout the western United States, including San Ramon, Long Beach, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Santa Rosa, Portland and Seattle. In recent years, SJWS has represented San Jose to European audiences with performances in Ireland, including Dublin, San Jose’s sister city, Switzerland and Austria.
In December 2009, SJWS performed at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Out of 177 applicants from around the world, SJWS was one of only 31 groups selected to perform at the Clinic. SJWS was the only group from California to be selected that year – and only the second Californian adult band accepted in the 63-year history of the Midwest Clinic.
In June 2014, members of SJWS traveled to France to join with the D-Day 70 Memorial Wind Band to perform memorial concerts in Paris, and on Omaha Beach in Normandy, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.
In July 2015, SJWS appeared at WASBE, the biennial conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, which was held in San Jose that year. The Wind Symphony’s performance earned universal praise — WASBE president, William V. Johnson, called it “nothing short of stunning, as evidenced by the tremendous ovation you received... Personally, I was very moved, not only by the magnificent musical product your group created, but also the great love and integrity you demonstrated in its preparation.”
SJWS was founded in September 1958 by Darrell Johnston. Maestro Johnston graduated from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied under the legendary Frederick Fennell, the father of the modern wind ensemble. Inspired by his friend and mentor, Maestro Johnston had the vision, creativity, perseverance and talent to form a musical organization that would become a cornerstone of the Bay Area performing arts community for over half a century.
In 2001, Maestro Johnston announced his decision to step down from active leadership of the band. In 2002, after a nationwide search, Dr. Edward C. Harris was appointed to the role of Music and Artistic Director. As only the second conductor in the history of SJWS, Dr. Harris continued the tradition of excellence in performance and presentation.
Fast-forward twenty years later, and it was Maestro Harris’s turn to announce his retirement, which he did in the spring of 2022. SJWS held a season-long search for a suitable successor in 2022-2023 and, in June 2023, announced that Dr. David Vickerman would be taking over the band in the fall of 2023.
Past Conductors
Dr. Edward C. Harris
Music and Artistic Director, 2002–2023
After an extensive national search in 2002, Dr. Edward C. Harris was appointed the conductor and artistic director for the San Jose Wind Symphony, becoming only the second conductor in the group’s long and storied history. Under his leadership, SJWS established itself as one of California’s premiere concert bands with performances at the 2009 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference, the California Music Educators Association Conference, as well as international and regional concert tours.
Dr. Harris also served for many years as Director of Bands at San José State University. Born and educated in Santa Monica, Dr. Harris received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education and Master of Arts degree in clarinet performance from San Francisco State University. He received his Doctor of Arts degree in conducting and clarinet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied under Eugene Corporon. Before joining the San José faculty, Dr. Harris served in a similar capacity at California State University, Stanislaus; Humboldt State University; and the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Preceding these appointments he served as Director of Instrumental Music at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, from 1971 to 1978.
Dr. Harris was well-known to the Bay Area music community for his broad knowledge of both traditional and contemporary wind band literature. His ensembles gained wide recognition for their diverse and creative programs. Even in retirement, Dr. Harris maintains an active schedule as guest conductor and lecturer throughout the United States. He has guest conducted honor groups and festivals in nine states and was selected to conduct the California Community College All-State Honor Band in 1983 and 2005, the California All-State Concert Band in 1988, the California All-State Symphonic Honor Band in 1996, and the CBDA California All-State Concert Band in 2004. In addition to his conducting duties, he has served as President of the Western Division of the College Band Directors’ National Association and has been on the Board of Directors for the California Band Directors Association and the California Music Educators Association. In 1995, Dr. Harris was honored to receive the “Stairway of the Stars” Award from the City of Santa Monica for distinguished contributions to the arts in California. In 2003, he was honored with the Gilbert T. Freitas Memorial Award for Music Education from the California Music Educators’ Association Bay Section and the CMEA Don Schmeer/Byron Hoyt Band Educator Award honoring excellence in instrumental instruction and performance. Dr. Harris received the 2006 CMEA John Swain College/University Educator Award for his progressive leadership at San Jose State University. In 2010, Dr. Harris was named the “Music Educator of the Year” by the Bay Section of the California Music Educators Association and received an Abby Award for distinguished arts leadership from the Silicon Valley Arts and Business Association. Dr. Harris was elected into the prestigious national organization the American Band Masters Association in 2011.
Darrell L. Johnston
Founding Conductor, 1958–2002
Born in 1930 to native Californian parents in Sacramento, CA, Darrell Johnston’s musical talent was apparent at an early age. Darrell rose quickly in the ranks of local clarinetists and soon was soloing with various high-school orchestras and later professional jazz and orchestra big band dance bands. He joined the Sacramento Symphony while he was in the 9th grade.
Darrell graduated from California State University at Sacramento with a degree in music in 1952. He mailed an audition tape of his performing the Brahms “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” to the famed Eastman School of Music at New York’s University of Rochester and was accepted. He earned his Master’s degree from the Eastman School in 1953.
Darrell credited his appreciation for chamber music to one of his professors at Eastman, the legendary Frederic Fennell. Professor Fennell later invited him to audition for the newly formed Eastman Wind Ensemble and Darrell became Principal First Clarinet, sparking a friendship that would last a lifetime.
After a two-year stint in the US Army Band, Darrell began his music teaching career in Woodland, CA. He was quickly recruited by San Jose City College (SJCC) as Professor of Music and Director of Bands. During his first year at SJCC in 1958, he founded the San Jose Symphonic Band, a renowned adult ensemble, which later became the San Jose Wind Symphony. He conducted the Wind Symphony for 44 years until he stepped down from the podium in 2002 as conductor emeritus. A tribute to his legacy, the San Jose Wind Symphony continues to thrive and perform today.
At San Jose City College, he was most proud of the highly successful chamber music program he developed, with up to 100 students performing per week. During his career, Darrell was an active judge and clinician with the World of Music Festivals band competitions and a clinician at chamber music festivals at California’s Humboldt and Chico State Universities and the University of Oregon at Medford. The San Jose City Symphonic band, the San Jose Wind Symphony’s predecessor, competed nationally and in numerous band festivals over many years. It hosted many renowned soloists and ensembles, including Julius Baker, New York Woodwind Quintet, Eastern Brass Quintet, Maynard Ferguson, Paul Horn, Don Ellis, Galen Lemmon, and many San Francisco Symphony principal players.
The Wind Symphony performed throughout California in major concert halls, including several times at Disneyland, as well as internationally. His jazz ensemble performed for His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden at the Swedish consulate residence in San Francisco during his US visit in 1976 (as the King was known to be particularly fond of jazz).
Darrell attributed the greatest gift he received as Professor of Music and Maestro to be his rapport with hundreds of students and musical colleagues. Many remained dear friends throughout his retirement. His passion for education and music inspired two generations of musicians throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Darrell Johnston passed away peacefully on May 25, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. While we miss him dearly, we take great joy in the legacy of musical excellence and generosity that he has left to us.
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