Robert J. Streckfuss celebrates 30 years with the Wind Symphony of Southern New Jersey

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Robert J. Streakfuss

The Wind Symphony of Southern New Jersey is a dynamic brass, woodwind and percussion ensemble performing the best repertoire of concert band and wind ensemble music available anywhere. It was founded in 1965 by Lucien Cailliet in Cherry Hill, NJ. Born in France in 1897, Cailliet joined the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski in 1918, playing clarinet and bass clarinet. He also worked as an arranger for Stokowski, and later became known as Hollywood film composer and as a transcriber of orchestral works for band. Max Culpepper conducted the Wind Symphony from 1966-76. Culpepper was band and orchestra director at Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, NJ. The Wind Symphony has remained in Cherry Hill for most of its 48 years.

In 1977 Robert Streckfuss was named conductor of the Wind Symphony. Since then, he has conducted weekly Monday night rehearsals and over 250 concerts. The ensemble was invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association eastern conference at the University of Massachusetts in 1987, toured Austria in 1990, performed at the MENC Eastern Division Meeting in Pittsburgh in 1991, and toured England and Scotland in 1993. On this tour, the group was invited to perform at Kneller Hall at the Royal School of Military Music. (Chris Dalsey MM-UD and Kaj Hansen BM-UD met playing in the Wind Symphony and were married on our tour of England and Scotland). The ensemble has also recorded a CD, Jubilee, with the help of UD’s own Bud Clark in Loudis Recital Hall in 1994.

In recent years, the Wind Symphony has performed a series of side-by-side concerts with high school bands and orchestras in the tri-state area. As a part of these experiences the Wind Symphony rehearses and performs several musical works together with the school group. Dr. Streckfuss visits the school to work with the band or orchestra several times before combining ensembles in a full rehearsal. The school music teacher are also invited to guest conduct the Wind Symphony as the students sit side-by-side with Wind Symphony members, the majority of whom are school music teachers themselves. Among the members there are also attorneys, engineers, CPA’s, retirees and homemakers. These side-by-side concerts have provided an excellent opportunity for music educators in the tri-state area.

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Robert Streckfuss conducts the Wind Symphony at Longwood Gardens

In the summer months, the Wind Symphony performs at outdoor venues in the tri-state area. Recent summer concerts have been at Longwood Gardens, Battery Park in New Castle, Riverfront Park in Burlington (NJ), Perkins Center in Moorestown (NJ), Barclay Farmstead in Cherry Hill, Whites Road Park in Lansdale (PA), and Tree Park in Media (PA).

The Wind Symphony of Southern New Jersey celebrated the 30th Anniversary Season of their Music Director Dr. Robert Streckfuss at the November 18, 2007 concert at the First Presbyterian Church in Merchantville, NJ. As Dr. Streckfuss was honored for his 30 years as conductor of the Wind Symphony he received a plaque with the following inscription:

Thank you for 30 years of great music and wonderful friendship. Your artistry has inspired us all.

Over the years many students and alumni have joined Dr. Streckfuss and this group.

UD graduates who have been members of the Wind Symphony:

Paul Hess
Joyce Hess
Paul Arbogast
Kathleen Hastings
Chris Dalsey
Kaj Hansen
*Brian Ewing
Aaron Kirschner
Amy Gier Boyd
Debbie Brown Engel
Jay Snyder
Rocky Snyder
Cheri Astolfi
Jeff Philips
Glenn Jarrell
Rick Maxwell
Susan Peo
Lauren Siple Ancona
Jill Hannagan
Rocky Snyder
*Valerie Gould
*Chris Vitale
*Liz Lockhart-Videtto
Kevin Arena
*Lisa Gilmer
Nicole Bishop
Robert (Biff) McNeil

*current members

Former members with UD association:

Heidi Sarver
Todd Groves

UD Faculty who have appeared as soloists:

Marie Robinson
Alan Hamant
Jay Hildebrandt
Leon Bates
Cindy Carr
Christine Delbeau