The Prairie Wind Ensemble was originally founded as the Central Illinois Concert Band in 1977, in association with Illinois Central College. The ensemble gave its first performance in February 1978 and changed its name to the Prairie Wind Ensemble in 1981.
Since its inception, the group has established several key programs, including the annual student soloist competition in 1982 and a season concert series in 1985. The ensemble has a rich history of collaborations, guest conductors, and international travel, including a European tour in 1991. Donald Lewellen, the founder and conductor, retired in 2002.
2000-Present
2025
- Illinois premiere performance of “Nueve Lunas”, composed and conducted by Ruben Dario Gomez.
2023
- Premiere performance of “The Parting Glass”, composed and conducted by Robert Sheldon.
2022
- Premiere performance of “Prairie Wind Sketches”, composed and conducted by Brian Spicklemire.
2021
- Premiere performance of Gustav Holst’s “Elegy (from Symphony in F “The Cotswolds)”, transcribed and conducted by Dan Dietrich.
2019
- PWE travels to St. Charles, Illinois to perform a joint concert with the Fox Valley Concert Band.
2018
- May 11, 2018, 40th Anniversary concert featuring the former conductors of the Prairie Winds, Don Lewellen, Joe Manfredo, and Bob Sheldon, and Dan Dietrich representing former Assistant Conductor George Foeller. the Prairie Winds saxophone section and saxophonists from area high schools are featured performing “Root Beer Rag”.
- December concert features brass players form are high schools performing “O Come All Ye Faithful” on the December concert.
2017
- Jim Tallman begins tenure as the fourth conductor of the Prairie Wind Ensemble.
2015
- World Premiere of “and all the lights that guide the way are blinding” composed and conducted by Brian Spicklemire.
2014
- Prairie Wind Ensemble plays a joint concert with the Rockford Wind Ensemble in DeKalb, IL.
2013
- Prairie Wind Ensemble plays a joint concert with the Rockford Wind Ensemble in Dunlap.
2011
- Dr. Joseph Manfredo is named the newest Conductor of the PWE.
- John Bell from SIU-E, serves as temporary conductor of the PWE for the May concert which also featured the River Valley Brass Quintet.
- In addition to a performance at ICC, the PWE performs a joint concert with the WIU Wind Symphony in Macomb, IL. Joe Roman and Carl Anderson conduct this third concert cycle; Carl Anderson and his New Orleans Jazz Band are featured artists for the March concert.
2010
- After 7 years on the podium, Robert Sheldon stepped down as conductor of the Prairie Wind Ensemble, conducting his final concert in December.
- For the third time, the PWE is the featured ensemble for National Band Assocation Young Composers/Young Conductors Summer Symposium at Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
2008
- PWE performs as part of a clinic presented by conductor Robert Sheldon at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention.
- PWE is the featured ensemble for National Band Assocation Summer Symposium at Illinois State University, Normal, IL and performs works of Andrew Boyson, Mark Camphouse, and Robert Sheldon with the composers conducting.
- 30th Anniversary Concert.
2007
- Performance at Illinois Music Educators Association State Conference, Peoria, IL
- Conductor/Composer Stephen Reineke conducts PWE in concert
2006
- PWE is the featured ensemble for National Band Assocation Summer Symposium at Illinois State University, Normal, IL and performs works of Julie Giroux, Mark Camphouse and James Curnow with the composers conducting.
2004
- Guest Conductors are selected for each concert from the PWE membership.
2003
- Robert Sheldon is named conductor for the Prairie Wind Ensemble.
2002
- Conductor and Founder Donald Lewellen retires.
2001
- Dedication Concert for the Patricia Hackler Auditorium, Pekin, Illinois.
1990-1999
1999
- December 9, 1999, the 100th soloist appeared with the Prairie Wind Ensemble.
1998
- 20th Anniversary Concert.
1997
- IMEA-MENC “Showcase Concert” with the Dallas Brass.
1996
- Youth Missions Benefit concert (St. Paul’s Cathedral, Peoria).
1995
- Established Annual High School Invitational Band Competition.
- Concert (St. Paul’s Cathedral, Peoria).
1994
- Concert (National Trumpet Competition) George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
1993
- Concert (Farmington High School)
- Amateur Music Club Concert (Bradley University).
1992
- Clinic/Concert (Brimfield High School).
1991
- Joint concert (Illinois Valley Central High School, Chillicothe).
- European Tour-concerts in Wolfsburg, Berlin, Nerviano, Besana Brianza, and Friedrichshafen.
1990
- Joint concert (Morton High School).
1989
- St. Mary’s Cathedral Concert Series (Peoria).
1977-1989
1988
- Joint concert (Woodruff High School, Peoria).
- Concert broadcasts resume on Public Radio (WCBU).
1987
- Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference concert (Peoria).
- Joint concert (Dunlap).
- Bicentennial Constitution Celebration Concert (Peoria).
- Clinic/Concert (Washington, IL City Schools).
1986
- Joint Concert (Princeville).
- Forest Park Nature Center concert.
- 150th Anniversary concert – First Methodist Church (Wyoming, IL).
1985
- Joint concert (Henry).
- Benefit concert for Crimestoppers.
- Bonus concert – ICC Subscription Series.
- Established a season concert series.
1984
- Benefit concert for Crimestoppers.
- Bonus concert – ICC Subscription Series.
1983
- Joint concert with the Peoria Civic Ballet.
- Arts Week in the Mall concert – sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council and the Peoria Area Arts and Science Council.
- Walnut Grove Fine Arts Association concert (Eureka).
- Scottish Rite Cathedral.
1982
- Established the annual student Soloist competition.
- Two concerts broadcast on Public Radio (WCBU).
- Scottish Rite Cathedral concert.
- Christmas Concert at Northwoods Mall.
1981
- CICB name changed to Prairie Wind Ensemble.
- Concerts held at Illinois Valley Central, Illini Bluffs, and Beverly Manor Schools.
- Christmas Concert at Northwoods Mall.
1980
- Lincoln Christian College concert.
1979
- First performance at area college (Monmouth College).
1978
- Premiere performance given on February 16 at ICC Performing Arts Center.
- First performance at area high school (Chillicothe).
1977
- Central Illinois Concert Band organized in association with Illinois Central College.
Prairie Wind Ensemble 