UMassGives: Supporting the Wind Ensemble trip to Ecuador

April 24, 2023
The news banner for UMassGives. On the left, there is a picture of the Wind Ensemble performing from behind. In the middle, there is the logo of UMassGives. The right displays a message for the Department of Music & Dance.
Transcribed from Image: 
Left: give :) heart 
UMass Gives -- UMass Amherst | College of Humanities & Fine Arts
Middle: UMass Gives--10 years of giving
Right: Department of Music & Dance, it's time to... give :) happy

UMassGives is a two-day (April 26 & 27) online giving campaign using email, texts, and social media to encourage people to give to various causes at UMass Amherst. Please go to our UMassGives page and click on the "Give Happy" button to donate.

A UMassGives campaign poster that says "give :) inspiration" and displays someone playing a flute in front of a music stand. At the bottom, there is the logo for UMassGives and the UMass Amherst Department of Humanities & Fine Arts.

This year, the Music & Dance Department has chosen the Wind Ensemble's upcoming trip to Ecuador as the focus for our UMassGives campaign.  Donations for UMassGives are welcome at any time on Wednesday and Thursday.

The UMass Wind Ensemble (Matthew Westgate, conductor) has been invited to perform at La Casa de la Música in Quito, Ecuador in January 2024, to collaborate with professional band La Banda Sinfonica Metropolitana de Quito. The Wind Ensemble will travel for a concert collaboration and recording project between January 21-29, 2024. La Casa de la Música is the home of La Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional del Ecuador and the National Ballet.

A UMassGives campaign poster that says "give :) connection" and displays a group picture with numerous people. At the bottom, there is the logo for UMassGives and the UMass Amherst Department of Humanities & Fine Arts.

The partnership between UMass and La Banda Sinfonica began in 2019 when Westgate traveled to conduct there in Quito. During COVID-19 in spring 2020, Symphony Band met online with members of La Banda and found ways to musically collaborate through video.  Last September, Westgate and faculty composer/saxophonist Felipe Salles visited Quito as artists-in-residence, and in December, La Banda's conductor, Luis Alberto Castro, came to the U.S. to conduct a concert and give a master class with the UMass Wind Ensemble here on campus.

Online giving goes from Wed., April 26 at 12:01am through Thurs. April 27 at 11:59pm - during that time, please click on the "Give Happy" button on our UMassGives page to donate ($5 minimum gift).

Thank you for supporting these UMass musicians on their international tour!