About Us

The Gorge Winds Concert Band performs four concerts each year consisting of a Spring, 4th of July, Fall, and Christmas, reaching communities throughout the Mid-Columbia Gorge. Additional concerts are held for a variety of festivals, events, and special occasions on request. The Band performs a wide variety of music, including symphonic band arrangements, marches, jazz classical works, musical theatre, and original compositions.

The origin of the Band is said to have started in the 1940's. Very little information is known about how the band originally formed and only stayed together for a couple of years. In the 1970's another attempt was made for local musicians to combine their talents to form the band. Again, little is known on why the band dispersed. Most recently, in January 2000, Sam Grotte (1933-2024) and Greg Weast sent out the "call" to Mid-Columbia musicians to form what is now the Gorge Winds Concert Band. Under Sam and Greg's dedication and hard work, the band grew to 50 members.

All members of the Gorge Winds Concert Band are enormously dedicated, love the art of music, and welcome the opportunity to share their talents, develop their abilities, and socialize with other musicians. The Band is comprised of musicians from all walks of life who hail from Oregon and Washington Columbia River communities from Stevenson,Troutdale, Glenwood, White Salmon, Lyle, Goldendale, Hood River, Mosier, and The Dalles. From high school student to college professor, professional to retiree, the band's musicians play for the love of the music. 

Check out the Links on the left to read more about our Board of Directors, Members, and Performance History.

©2025 | Gorge Winds Concert Band | All rights reserved
PO Box 452, The Dalles, OR 97058

The Gorge Winds Concert Band is a nonproft 501(c)(3) organization