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WELCOME TO THE WINDS OF FAITH COMMUNITY BAND WEBSITE
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SCHEDULE WINDS OF FAITH FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT! WINDS OF FAITH – History: The origins of the band go back to 2008 at William Jessup University, where the band members assisted in providing large-ensemble opportunities for instrumental music students. With the increase of student enrollment, the band no longer served as support for the college’s music department. Consequently, the band was dissolved at the end of 2015. Members enthusiastically voted to continue as a separate organization, and Winds of Faith was created. The band, which rehearses weekly in Roseville, encourages musicians interested in joining the group to visit the website for information (windsoffaith.com). Though the band performs primarily at churches, it has a wide-ranging repertoire from marches to movie themes, as well as seasonal music for holidays, and welcomes opportunities to perform at civic events or at other venues, such as senior communities. The band’s current season goes through June 2024, and organizations which are interested in the possibility of scheduling a performance can contact Janet McGovern at 650.207.5407. Winds of Faith is a member of the SVSBA (Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association) which is comprised of 15 community Bands in and around the Sacramento area. They put on a yearly Concert Band Festival in Carmichael Park (5750 Grant Ave – Carmichael, CA), usually around the first weekend in June. Winds Of Faith has performed in that Festival each year since it’s inception. A link to their official page: https://www.svsba.net/ Winds of Faith concerts are free to the public, but a freewill offering is taken to support the 35-member, all-volunteer band. |
| Rehearsal – Tuesdays Olympus Junior High School 2625 La Croix Dr. Roseville, CA 95661 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Fall Concerts: St Augustine of Canterbury Centerpoint Community Church Hillsdale Baptist Church Private Concert |
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WINDS OF FAITH DIRECTOR: Les Tanaka
Les received both his Bachelor of Secondary Music Education and Master of Arts in Music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. At the university, he performed in halftime shows with the marching band, played in the wind ensemble and jazz band, and once in the orchestra as well. After college, Les was lucky to land a job at his alma mater – Kaimuki High School – where he taught band, piano, and guitar classes for thirteen years. He also was very active in the Oahu Band Directors Association, a professional organization for local band directors. In October 2010, Les was appointed the music director of the Honolulu Community Concert Band, now known as the Honolulu Wind Ensemble. During his tenure, the band planned a joint concert with the Omiya Community Band from Japan, but days before the Japanese band was to depart, the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the country. The Honolulu band immediately changed the event to a benefit concert and raised a substantial amount which was donated toward disaster relief. The following year, the Omiya band was finally able to come over and play a joint concert with the HWE. Outside of music, since Les now lives in the Sacramento CA area and has been trying to visit all the states he can. Winds of Faith Directors 2008-19 – Van Crane
2020-21 – Bill Adam 2021-22 – Heidi (Barthel) Fante 2021-2025 – Ray Bernd 2025 – Present – Les Tanaka
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Les Tanaka comes to us from Honolulu, Hawaii, where he lived most of his life. Since moving to Northern California in 2020, he has played in several community bands in the area, including Winds of Faith. He also served as assistant director before being appointed director in 2025.Together we are Winds of Faith!
