The Arts Council will be presenting the Winthrop /Carolinas Wind Ensemble in Fullerton Auditorium at Limestone College on Monday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. This internationally recognized group of instrumentalists is dedicated to the performance of wind band literature.

The Winthrop/Carolinas Wind Ensemble is a 112-member group led by conductors Dr. William Malambri and Stanley Michalski. The performers include residents in the greater Charlotte, N.C., area as well as students at Winthrop University majoring in music.

The orchestra has performed throughout the Carolinas, at the 2005 American Bandmasters Association Convention and at prominent festivals world-wide, including the 2007 International Music Festival at Malgrat de Mar, Spain.

The orchestra has been selected to perform during a New Year’s Eve celebration in China on Dec. 31, 2009, marking the first time a non-Chinese symphony orchestra will play during the country’s most important new year celebration. The orchestra’s performances are part of a 13-day tour of three Chinese provinces at the invitation of the United States- China Cultural and Educational Foundation.

Dr. Song Yang, vice chair of the foundation, said the Winthrop/Carolina Wind Orchestra was chosen because of its stellar reputation. "Both band conductors have achieved national and international reputations for the quality of their work, and would provide strong models for aspiring band conductors in China," he said.

The Arts Council’s 2009–2010 season is just beginning. Season tickets are still available to include the performances of Winthrop/Carolinas Wind Ensemble, Route 66 on Feb. 16, 2010, and the Queen Charlotte Chorus on April 27, 2010.

Contact Mary Mosteller at 864-489- 8621 for information or to purchase season tickets in advance. Tickets will be available at the door for the evening performance at a price of $15 per person. Season tickets may also be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance.