Alnwick Symphonic Wind Ensemble (ASWE in short)
Alnwick Symphonic Wind Ensemble is a group of talented musicians from Alnwick and North Northumberland, in the United Kingdom
it was formed in September 2011 as an offshoot of Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band, utilizing musicians from that band.
The purpose of the band was, and still us, to perform music written for, or arranged for symphonic wind ensembles.(usually a dectet (double wind quintet) and a bass.
The line up has varied over the years with certain instruments doubling up, but the music is normally written for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns and a double bass.
The absence of a regular double player meant that we always used a tuba for the bass part, likewise a bass clarinet replaced one or both bassoon parts.
As of June 2026 we have 6 flutes, 4 clarinets, 2/3 oboes, 1/2 horns, 1 bassoon, 1 bass clarinet and a tuba.
The first gig was Saturday 26th November 2011.
The programme included Mozart Gran Petita Serenade, Strauss Serenade, Dvorak wind serenade, and Mendelssohn Overture for winds Op.24 (with extra brass and tuba).