Page 23 - Demo

slovisitorsguide.com WINTER 2025 23
San Luis Obispo Winds Orchestra
and the passion of volunteers
The San Luis Obispo Winds
Orchestra, known as SLO
Winds, has been entertaining San
Luis Obispo County since its first
performance on December 31,
1999, at the Old Mission Church
in San Luis Obispo.
December 2024 marked the
25th anniversary of the 45-mem-
ber volunteer, wind and percussion
orchestra. Founder William V.
Johnson was the director of bands
at Cal Poly, and SLO Winds was
his passion project and gift to the
community. The pinnacle of his
tenure was the “Queen Symphony”
which included a 150-voice choir,
organ, and strings.
Over the years SLO Winds has
continued to grow, and now each
season they perform a series of five
to six concerts. Current musical
director, Jennifer Martin continues
the legacy.
Martin is passionate about
bringing professional quality wind
music to the Central Coast. Ac-
cording to Martin, “SLO Winds
is not only the largest volunteer-
driven musical arts non-profit
on the Central Coast but also
boasts musicians who perform at
a professional level despite their
volunteer status. Our members are
deeply passionate about wind band
music, volunteering their time out
of love for this art form.”
The volunteer musicians come
from a variety of different careers
ranging from a microbiologist to
a retired clergyman and it seems
everything in between. It’s an
eclectic group, and each member
can be sponsored on the SLO
Winds website. With the funds
they raise from the main-stage
concerts, they host two free
children’s concerts annually and
visit assisted living centers to offer
free concerts to seniors dozens of
times each year. It’s music with a
purpose.
San Luis Obispo
Paso Robles • Atascadero • SLO
888-858-8265
LAUNDRY
& LINEN
SERVICE
Pickup & Delivery
According to Martin, ”Our
repertoire is selected with care
to offer a broad representation of
wind band literature, balancing
classics with contemporary pieces.
We are dedicated to showcasing the
A history of music
with a purpose
Music with a purpose.