Banding Together

One of six ensembles under the umbrella of Brunswick Bands, the Brunswick Summer Winds are tuning up for this season’s free concert lineup.

Tuning up for their third season of summertime patriotic sounds are the Brunswick Summer Winds, an ensemble band featuring more than 40 local musicians ranging in age from high school seniors to senior adults.

The group is slated to bring live music to the Brunswick County community on select dates in late June and early July. One of the six ensembles that make up its parent organization, Brunswick Bands Inc., the Summer Winds are queued up to play Independence Day classics throughout their four-performance seasonal concert run. You’ll hear songs like “God Bless America,” “Liberty Bell March,” “Thunderer March,” “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Armed Forces Salute,” which was arranged by Summer Winds euphonium player Dr. John Huntsman.

“The current version of the Summer Winds started in 2024,” says Summer Winds Music Director Brian Benton. “We were originally asked to put together a small version of our Brunswick Winds band to play patriotic music for July 4th festivities. We gathered a group of players, and then we wanted to find other venues to play at too, which turned into what we have now.”

A hallmark of the Brunswick Bands organization is that every concert is free.

“As far as funding for Summer Winds this year, Brunswick Arts Council has been very generous with grants to help us with that,” Benton says.

Since its founding in 1987, Brunswick Bands Inc. has been dedicated to expanding the performance of instrumental music throughout Brunswick County. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit moves with a mission to make both hearing and playing music accessible for all who are interested in the art.

Enter the Music Student Assistance (MSA) program. Beyond the nonprofit’s commitment to free concerts, the MSA program loans new or gently used musical instruments to middle and high school students to help remove the expensive barrier to entry that often comes with taking up an instrument.

“The organization is committed to providing musical opportunities to people who might not otherwise have them,” says Brunswick Bands President Tim O’Connor.

For example, a trumpet can cost more than $1,000, plus there is the cost of additional upkeep and equipment that goes along with it. The MSA Program loans such instruments to students who would otherwise not be able to play.

“Our goals are twofold: to provide opportunities for youth to participate in music and to continue to provide support to those students when they want to pursue secondary education opportunities,” O’Connor says.

That’s where the scholarship program comes in. For the 2026 school year O’Connor reports: “We are proud to provide five students a scholarship of $1,500 to get them started on secondary education.”

Over the years, Brunswick Bands has assisted more than 15 local students, with total scholarship gifts exceeding $18,000. The organization’s hope is to continue to financially uplift students and expand the scholarship program for years to come.

As far as community support goes, Brunswick Bands Vice President Felicia Sexton encourages music appreciators, parents and Brunswick County residents to pass the generosity forward.

“People can support Brunswick Bands with donations, by attending concerts and spreading the word about our concerts,” she says. “We also have opportunities for local business and corporate sponsorship.”

When asked about his hopes for Brunswick Bands down the road, O’Connor says, “Our very ambitious goal is to continue our legacy by providing the financial support to run this organization and ensure its continued success.”

O’Connor says Brunswick Bands’ continued growth has brought on a new challenge: finding venues large enough to accommodate its expanding ensembles.

“We are growing and can only fit so many musicians on a stage in Brunswick County,” he says. “We find ourselves continually searching for places that can host a band as large as ours.”

That desire for a dedicated place to play has sparked conversations about the value of a performing arts venue locally, particularly for large-scale groups like the 70-plus member Brunswick Winds ensemble.

Support from community partners and residents who also recognize that need could fuel the momentum for future grassroots efforts.
“We are a community band with big dreams,” Benton says.

Beyond its Summer Winds program, Brunswick Bands stays busy year-round keeping things at top brass for its other ensembles: The Brunswick Winds, The Brunswick Big Band, The Brunswick Brass, The Brunswick Saxes and The Trillogy Trio.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY
Brunswick Summer Winds
Learn more at: brunswickbands.org

Brunswick Summer Winds 2026 Concert Schedule:
-Friday, June 26 6 pm Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, Southport
-Wednesday, July 1 7 pm The Davis Community in Porters Neck, Wilmington
-Thursday, July 2 7 pm Homer E. Wright Event Center, St. James
-Sunday, July 5 5 pm Southport Baptist Church, Southport
All concerts are free.