About Us

The Sound of Europe

Our Founding

Founded in 1991 by Herr Andreas Marx—who brought his expertise to Richmond from Geesthacht, Germany—the European Wind Ensemble was established to showcase the musical breadth of the entire continent, offering an alternative to Richmond’s already established Bavarian 'oomph' bands.

Our Mission

We strive to create a vibrant space where musicians can:

• • Share meaningful musical experiences.

  • Refine and grow their instrumental skills.

  • Enrich our community through the power of public performance.

Musical Repertoire

Our library consists of over 600 pieces, blending traditional styles with a focus on:

• Northern German & Czech-Bohemian: Our foundational style, reflecting the music of the Elbe River.

• Bavarian & Oktoberfest: High-energy brass and traditional favorites.

• European Variety: Seasonal selections for non-Oktoberfest events.

Instrumentation & Sound

Modeled after a German Infantry band from circa 1890, the European Wind Ensemble offers a rich, historical alternative to the modern American wind band.  Our signature sound is defined by three key differences in instrumentation:

• Warmth & Color: Inclusion of Flügel horns alongside trumpets.

• Mellow Tenor Voice: Utilization of Tenor horn parts (similar to a euphonium).

• Authentic Texture: A complete absence of saxophones.

In German-speaking countries, this traditional, brass-forward ensemble is known as Blasmusik.

Music Conductors

Following Andreas’s return to Germany in 2007, the European Wind Ensemble has performed under various  conductors. Currently, the ensemble is under the artistic direction of Ed Krauss.

Join Us

Looking for a place to play? Joining EWE is straightforward:

• Eligibility: Open to musicians aged 18+.

• Instrumentation: We welcome a full range of woodwinds, brass (including tenor horns and flügelhorns), and percussion. Openings are based on current ensemble balance.

• Skill Level: No formal auditions required!  We simply look for a level of proficiency that aligns with our conductor’s musical standards. 

Our Rehearsals & Location

We gather every Wednesday evening to make music together.

• When:  7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

• Where: Huguenot Road Baptist Church

• Address: 10525 W. Huguenot Rd, North Chesterfield, VA 23235

Availability

The European Wind Ensemble is available to perform at community venues and events.  

For booking inquiries and available dates, please email Linda Pinsky (Vice President) at linda.pinsky@theeuropeanwindenseemble.com.