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Oregon State University Wind Ensemble (USA)

Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater
Jul 24, 2026 • 20:00

The Oregon State University (OSU) Wind Ensemble carves out a unique identity through its commitment to contemporary repertoire and its cross-disciplinary collaborations

. Under the direction of Dr. Erik Leung, the ensemble is not merely a performing group; it’s a creative force that champions new works and explores the intersection of music with other art forms. 

This innovative spirit is seen in projects like “My Hands Are a City” and “Garden of Dreams”. For these projects, the ensemble’s performance was interwoven with visual art created by students in other university departments, providing a multi-sensory experience. This approach contrasts with the traditional performance setting and demonstrates the ensemble’s role as a modern artistic incubator. 

Further distinguishing the ensemble is its active pursuit of new music through commissions and consortium partnerships with a wide range of composers, including Billy Childs, Kevin Walczyk, and David Gillingham. The ensemble’s albums, such as Shout! Music of Protest and Joy, reflect this focus by featuring world premiere recordings alongside masterworks. 

The ensemble’s national and international recognition, with performances at Carnegie Hall and an upcoming appearance at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) conference in Brazil, underscores its reputation as a leading group in the wind band world. Yet, its unique identity is forged not just by where it plays, but by how it redefines the role of a university wind ensemble through artistic innovation and bold artistic partnerships.

Erik Leung
Conductor
Dr. Erik Leung serves at the director of bands at Oregon State University where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting and oversees all aspects of the band program. Prior to his appointment at OSU, Leung was the director of bands at Fresno Pacific University. Groups under his direction have been featured at the Western International Band Clinic, the Percy Grainger Wind Festival, the NW NAfME Conference, the WNW CBDNA Conference and the first-ever small band program showcase at the College Band Directors National Association. Leung is a native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in wind conducting from Northwestern University and has earned degrees from the University of Toronto (M.Mus) and the University of Calgary (B.Mus with distinction; B.Ed). His teachers include Mallory Thompson, Gillian Mackay, Glenn Price, Mark Hopkins and Jeremy Brown. Leung has written articles for the Canadian Winds and created the critical edition of Jan Meyerowitz’s “Three Comments on War” for concert band, published through the E.B. Marks Music Company. His upcoming book “Stories of Courage, Strength, and Triumph of Underrepresented Communities in the Wind Band Field” will be published in fall 2020 by GIA Music Publications. He has presented at a variety of conferences throughout North America and Europe including the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the national College Band Directors National Association convention and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Utrecht, Netherlands. Leung has been nominated for the Edwin Parr Teaching Award, was a semi-finalist for the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award and received the merit award for teaching excellence at Fresno Pacific University. He holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the Oregon Music Educators Association and the Canadian Band Association.