Our Story

Co-founders Meagan Bachmayer and Katherine Bergman started this organization because we know firsthand how important wind music is.

Our journeys began as student wind musicians in our 5th grade concert bands (Meagan played clarinet and Katherine played saxophone). We were part of wind ensembles through middle school, high school, and college where we met as members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra.

Over the years, we formed special bonds with our fellow musicians as well as our band directors. The lessons we learned about personal responsibility, the value of practicing your craft, working together as a team, and the power of music have shaped the people we are today.

A decade after graduating from college, we reconnected and realized that though there are thriving wind music programs in the schools, there are hardly any wind ensembles at the professional level in the entire country. We created the Minnesota Wind Orchestra to celebrate this unique music and share it with new audiences, grow the art form itself, and inspire wind music educators and students everywhere.