The Heisey Wind Ensemble, 30 years strong

Back in January 1985, a group of 25 musicians gathered in the Newark High School band room at the urging of Don Workman and Jim Day to form a concert band.

They needed to choose a name for themselves. The group asked themselves what, other than the Newark mounds, represented this area best, and the Heisey Company won the namesake.

The Heisey Wind Ensemble’s first concert took place June 10, 1985, at Founders Hall on the Ohio State University Newark Campus. Nine of the original members are still performing with Don Workman, who himself tops them all by playing in all of their 120 concerts.

At the beginning, their season consisted of two concerts per year; now, there are at least four. The size of the group also expanded by more than double, from 25 to 60 musicians.

They have performed 610 musical selections, with John Phillip Sousa numbers being favored. Nine counties are represented in the ensemble, as well as many school systems in Central Ohio; the members have played their instruments an average of 40 years.

The ensemble is proud to be directed by Russel Mikkelson, who also is the director of bands at Ohio State University in Columbus.

An offshoot of Heisey Wind Ensemble is the Heisey Wind Ensemble Big Band. This big band was formed in 2010 to fill a need for that type of music and has become a huge success.

A well-received program the ensemble started is called HWE Gives Back. The program encourages young people to appreciate instrumental music by attending the ensemble’s concerts. Since the start of this program, there have been more than 650 student musicians from more than 50 Central Ohio schools who have attended.

At the intermission, the name of one of the students in attendance is drawn and the winner receives $100. At the final concert, $150 is awarded to the school that has the most students in attendance throughout the entire season.

The ensemble’s 31st season will begin Oct. 25, and we can expect more great music from these dedicated musicians.

Jerry Satterfield is a lifelong Newark resident, retired from Rockwell and volunteers for the Licking County Historical Society.

Next week’s question

What is one of the largest annual events in Licking County that opens this week?