Our History

The First Sixteen Years

The West County Winds (WCW) was started in 1985 by Terry Clark, El Cerrito High School's former band director, and nine of his graduates, some of whom are still regular members. Terry conducted WCW for 16 years, during which time the band more than tripled in size and became known for excellent performances of challenging music.

Musical Chairs

When Terry moved to Sonora, tuba player Ray Iniguez took the podium for a season, followed by Brian Barfield and Bob Calonico, who shared conducting duties in 2002. During this period of rapid transition and uncertainty the band lost many members, and was almost forced to dis...band.

New Beginning

Spiros Xydas took the baton in 2003 and conducted twelve grateful musicians at his first rehearsal. During his two years on the podium WCW grew to include more than 30 members. When Spiros announced his intention to leave at the conclusion of our Spring 2005 season, WCW instituted a conductor search and, for the first time, met to choose a conductor.

Taking Charge...

Rice Majors was that choice. Rice brought enthusiasm, humor and a strong commitment to continued growth as he recruited new musicians and helped WCW build strong relationships with the local community and with other community bands.

Rice represented several firsts for WCW: he was the first conductor chosen by the band rather than by his predecessor; the first who was not a music educator by profession; and the first who had prior experience conducting a community band. It was fitting, then, that Rice held the baton as the band embarked on another first: self‑governance.

The band enjoyed four years of steady growth in size and in musical ambition. In 2009, motivated in part by the shaky economic conditions throughout the state, both public and private, the Leadership Committee began serious discussions about creating a non-profit corporation to firmly establish the band's existence as a legal entity.

A Challenge Met

In Spring 2010, Rice left for a compelling opportunity at the University of Colorado, and the band's self-governance was put to the test. Assistant conductor Sue Crum became Interim Conductor, and preparation for the March concert continued smoothly, as did preparation for the 25th anniversary celebration and concert on May 23. With the cooperation and consent of Contra Costa College, a search committee was chosen to find a new Musical Director for the band. In May 2010, the work of both Anniversary and Search Committees bore fruit.

The Silver Anniversary concert at El Cerrito High School's Performing Arts Theater was a great success. The music, selected, rehearsed, and led by Sue Crum, was enjoyed by the performers and by an audience of several hundred. Terry Clark, founding conductor, returned to conduct Variations on a Korean Folk Song. The band had played this piece years before under his direction and, in preparation for the Anniversary Concert, rehearsed it under Sue. Terry polished it in an impressive morning rehearsal, giving newer members a chance to get to know him.

During the concert, long-time and former members of the band joined with Terry and other former conductors to share memories of the band's history with the audience and band. After the concert, a reception in the lobby provided time for band members and conductors past and present to share the excitement and joy of the day with our audience. This celebration was a high for all concerned, but the year was not over. The significant responsibility of completing the search for a new conductor was unfinished.

The Search Committe had evaluated applications from several candidates. After insuring that the college's requirements were met, the committee interviewed the remaining candidates before recommending that the band use the two remaining Monday evening rehearsals of the year to audition four candidates. These audition rehearsals were well-attended and provided a real chance for the band to get to know the candidates. The committee took surveys, rankings, and comments from the band, and after discussion, recommended Jessica Bejarano.

The Leadership Committee quickly ratified this recommendation, and Jessica accepted. Making the decision in June left time to begin new relationships and to prepare musical plans before Fall's first rehearsal.