The Normal West High School Wind Ensemble has set high standards of musical excellence since its inception in 1995.  The Wind Ensemble is one of four concert bands offered at Normal West High School.  In addition, Normal West High School offers two jazz bands, a competitive marching band, pep band, musical pit-orchestra, and orchestra winds.  In January 2001, The Wind Ensemble performed for the Illinois Music Educators’ Association Convention in Peoria, IL. In the spring of 2008, they were selected as the “Encore” ensemble to perform the evening concert at the Heritage Festival of Gold in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall.  In the spring of 2005, the Normal West High School Wind Ensemble made their debut performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC. The week of March 14, 2005 was declared Normal West Wind Ensemble Week by the mayor and town council in recognition of their performance in Carnegie Hall.  The ensemble has been invited to perform at the University of Illinois “Superstate” Concert Band Festival ten times and was named the Class AA Honor Band five times.  The Normal West High School Wind Ensemble is proud to have premiered three major works by composers Robert Sheldon and Roy Magnuson.