UWSP’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble Records First Professional Recording

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble recorded new, historic works from around the globe over three days, with six-hour sessions each day, Feb. 27-March 1. 

John Lynch, director of the band and professor of music, proposed to professionally record to the UWSP Symphonic Ensemble in 2025.  

Lynch has done multiple professional recordings in previous positions. “This has been one of my most rewarding experiences,” said Lynch. “It was new to everyone in the group.”  

All the pieces were world premiere recordings, which have never been recorded before.  

Three of the recording sessions were finished early. “That is unheard of for a first-time group recording,” said Lynch.  

Lynch did not work alone, he was accompanied by Brad Genyero, a recording engineer, and Producer Christian Amundesem.  

Lynch worked with two others, Brad Genvero, a recording engineer, and Christian Amundsen, a producer. Lynch has collaborated with Genvero on several projects, but this was his first time working with Amundsen.  

There were approximately 55 students a part of the recording, and featured soloist Brent Turney, a trumpet professor and director of jazz studies at UWSP. Brian Baldauff, professor of percussion, helped prepare the percussionists. 

 Mathew Buchman, music department chair, was also there and College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean Stuart Benkert assisted with funding and equipment needs for the project.  

Chris Burbach, a junior at UWSP and who has been a band member for a year and a half, expressed excitement in being part of the premiere recording.  

“In music you do a lot of listening and see other university brands do a lot of recordings,” said Burbach. “It’s super exciting to be able to do something close to that.”  

Lynch put the order of the album together and said, “The storyline and the flow of the album is very important so the listener will be taken on an emotional journey in sound.”  

The order of “Endless Horizons” is:  
Skysplitter Fanfare by Connor Wooley 
Horizon by Wayne Oquin 
Fugue a la Gigue by Johan Sebastian Bach and arranged by Gustav Holst 
Concerto in F minor Composed by Oskar Bohme and played by Brent Turney  
City of Ghosts by Alex Turley 
Pendulum by Natalie Williams 

The project is estimated to be completed by late summer 2026. The album will be released publicly on multiple streaming platforms.  

Brianna Ankerson

News Reporter

bankerso@uwsp.edu