Delaware Winds will open its sixth season with a performance of its fall concert, A New Beginning, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, at Dover High School. 

Delaware Winds is the First State’s only semiprofessional wind ensemble and includes band directors, freelance musicians and college music students who reside all over the state. The mission of Delaware Winds is to perform the finest wind literature available for wind band, and the group is intentional in programing works by underrepresented voices in the wind band medium.

Making his debut performance is new Delaware Winds Music Director Michael D. Russo. He was a music instructor in the New Jersey communities of Saddle Brook, Kinnelon, Parsippany and Morristown during a 34-year teaching career.

As a performer, Russo has been a member of the trumpet sections of the New Jersey Wind Symphony and Delaware Winds. He is a founding member of the Imperial Brass Quintet. He has performed throughout the United States as well as in China, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.

In addition to Russo, Delaware Winds welcomes one guest conductor from within the ensemble – Nicholas Greeson, tenor and soprano saxophonist, and Rehoboth Elementary School band director.

As part of the event, the Dover High School Big Band under the direction of Garrett George will perform a prelude concert at 6:30 p.m. The DHS Big Band is an award-winning ensemble that specializes in the performance of Black American Music. Informed by historical styles and modern performance practice, the band’s repertoire includes swing, blues, Afro-Latin and funk music. George is a graduate of Dover HS and the University of Delaware, where he studied under Tom Palmer and Harvey Price.

Delaware Winds has embarked on a capital fundraising campaign this year with the goal of reaching $10,000, and every gift helps. To make a tax-deductible donation, go to degives.org/orgs/delaware-winds.

Admission prices for the concert are $15 for general admission, $10 for senior citizens/military, and as always, students and children enter free. Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, go to facebook.com/delawarewinds/ or email delawarewinds@gmail.com.