The City Wind Orchestra is shocked to hear that Guy Woolfenden OBE died on Friday 15 April 2016. He was Head of Music at the Royal Shakespeare Company for 37 years, working with some of the company’s finest actors and directors. He wrote over 150 scores for numerous RSC productions and adapted some of this music for performance in the concert hall. His contribution to the wind orchestra medium cannot be overestimated – he was simply one of the greats. 

Since its formation seven years ago, the City Wind Orchestra have performed a number of his scores for wind orchestra including Gallimaufry, Illyrian Dances, Mockbeggar Variations, Firedance and Bohemian Dances.

Although Guy did not attend any of these performances, best wishes were always sent from Guy and his wife Jane. 

Sadly, Guy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in recent years. In celebration of Guy’s lifetime of music-making, Birmingham Symphonic Winds performed all 14 of Guy’s pieces for wind band in the presence of the composer. They also set up a website www.world-wide-woolfenden.com, where all performances are listed, together with further information about the project and Guy Woolfenden. The City Wind Orchestra contributed to this project. 

CWO pass on our condolences to Jane and their three sons.