Windjammers was founded in 1993 by the late Harry Currie, a visionary conductor from Ontario. Three years earlier, his smaller group, The Convocation Winds, had thrilled audiences at University of Waterloo convocations. When euphonium player Larry Orr suggested expanding it into a top-tier wind ensemble of hand-picked musicians, the idea took flight.
To create a sustainable model, they formed the Pops 2000 Foundation. Charities would sell tickets and keep the proceeds while the band performed for free. Early concerts at Bingeman Hall (in a lively cabaret setting) drew crowds that soon reached 800. The name “Windjammers” perfectly captured their spirit: a wind ensemble with top jazz players who loved to “jam.”
Challenges came after Jonas Bingeman’s death when rent was introduced and some charities struggled with sales. The group went independent, launching 15 years of acclaimed concerts in major Southern Ontario venues like Centre in the Square (Kitchener), River Run Centre (Guelph), and others. In 1997, the Guelph Spring Festival crowned them “Canada’s Finest Pops Wind Ensemble.”
They recorded two popular CDs—Swingphonic (with legendary arranger Sammy Nestico) and Broadway Baby—and built a repertoire of themed shows covering Latin, movies, big bands, Broadway, jazz, holidays, and more, all enhanced by large-screen visuals.
Standout moments include a joint concert with the Central Band of the Canadian Forces that raised $10,000 for military families, a Tsunami Relief show that raised another $10,000, and their beloved annual War and Remembrance concerts.
Over the years, they’ve collaborated with stars like Beverly Gail, Carol Welsman, Peter Appleyard, Phil Nimmons, and many others. In 2018, Harry Currie passed the baton to Charles Cozens, the current Artistic Director.
At its heart, Windjammers thrives thanks to 40+ talented volunteer musicians and dedicated supporters. As their likely motto (from Nietzsche) says: “Without music, life would be a mistake.”