The Rose City Wind Symphony is a concert band that explores a wide range of styles and composers, with attention to detail and musical interpretation. The wind symphony performs technically and musically demanding repertoire in the Grade 4 and 5 range.

The Rose City Wind Symphony debuted in 1991 as a forty-piece concert band under the Rose City Gay Freedom Band name. The ensemble’s first concert was held at the Metropolitan Community Church, the site of the debut concerts of our older choral siblings, the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus and the Portland Lesbian Choir. Over the years, the wind symphony has collaborated with LGBTQ+ bands and community ensembles across the Pacific Northwest, and continues to celebrate inclusive music making and foster musical excellence in the greater Portland area. In 2008, the ensemble became known as the Portland Gay Symphonic Band, and in 2019,  it was renamed the Rose City Wind Symphony to align with our organization’s inclusive rebrand.

The Rose City Wind Symphony is under the direction of Dr. Joseph Accuardi-Gilliam and rehearses on Thursday evenings in Portland. The ensemble’s season runs from August to June.