The McAllen Wind Ensemble For the Love of Music

Story and Photos by Eryn Reddell Wingert

I n 2014, there was something missing in Roger Olivarez, Jr.’s life: a podium.

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Olivarez was in an administrative position after spending decades

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SPONSORS as a band director. He missed making music. The McAllen Wind Ensemble filled that void.

The McAllen Wind Ensemble was formed in 1974. Its creation was inspired by the town bands of Mexico. In its nearly 50-year

It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the long-awaited return of so many of our friends. Now, here we are bidding you farewell and safe travels. All of us at Welcome Home RGV look forward to your return. Plans are history, the band has undergone a few name changes, once known as the Town Band. But members hail

For The Love Of Music

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1>> from across the Rio Grande Valley, from Brownsville to Roma, and even from the Midwest.

Retired band director and trumpet player Gene Goedy of Minnesota has been wintering in South Texas for 31 years. He has been with the Ensemble for about 15 years. “I enjoy the music they pick out. The last show was superhero-themed. It was just fun stuff.”

When he’s not playing in the McAllen Wind Ensemble, Goedy is the director of the Rio Grande Valley Concert Band, made up primarily of Winter Texans.

Behind the second tuba from the right is Rita Christenson-Boyd, a Llano Grande Resort resident by way of Minnesota. ChristensonBoyd started playing the tuba 61 years ago. After raising kids and pursuing other interests, she says,

“It just sort of hit me that I should play my tuba again.” And she loves it.

Over the past 10 years, Christenson-Boyd has been an avid volunteer, taking on tasks such as setting up the lighting when the venue was a local church and taking on ticket sales.

Her hard work over the years makes her all the more appreciative of the band’s latest venue, the McAllen Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art theater that opened in 2016.

The band also holds rehearsals at McAllen’s Las Palmas Community Center. “We’re so thankful to the City of McAllen for their sponsorship and supporting our efforts,” says Olivarez.

City and community support, volunteers, and sponsorships sustain the McAllen Wind

For The Love Of Music

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Publisher Kristi Collier kristi@welcomehomergv.com

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Eryn Reddell Wingert eryn@welcomehomergv.com

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