The New Winds of Change

Chronicle of the American Wind Band Movement

Written by Frank L. Battisti, one of the most influential figures in the wind band world, The New Winds of Change (updating his classic The Winds of Change) provides a thorough, decade-by-decade history of the development of the wind band and its repertoire since 1952. It is a critical resource for wind ensemble directors and musicologists studying the growth of this unique art form.

Core Pedagogical Themes

• The Eastman Wind Ensemble Revolution: Analyzes Frederick Fennell’s landmark founding of the Eastman Wind Ensemble in 1952 and how it shifted the wind band from a massive, militaristic ensemble to a flexible, single-player-per-part chamber medium.
• Repertoire Development and Commissioning: Chronological tracking of landmark commissions and composition trends that established a serious, artistic library of wind band music.
• Biographies of Leading Figures: Detailed accounts of the lives, philosophies, and artistic contributions of key conductors, composers, and publishers who shaped the movement.
• The Global Wind Ensemble Movement: Explores the growth of the wind band culture in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, detailing international festivals and cross-cultural collaborations.