About WestwoodWinds Community Band

Westwoodwinds is a community concert band involving amateur musicians from in and around Westwood, Massachusetts. It was founded in 2010 by James Giurleo, retired K-12 Director of Performing Arts and Prodigy Program Director of the Westwood Public Schools.

WestwoodWinds performs music in many styles ranging from Broadway/movie/TV themes, jazz, pop, and marches to light classics.  Participation is voluntary and open to Any musician interested in sharing their skills and love of music performance.

The ensemble meets during the summer when it prepares and performs music for three concerts. Through these performances, its audiences celebrate the skills and talents of our very own neighbors and friends.  

WestwoodWinds Community Band, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation.

WestwoodWinds is made up of amateur musicians who share a common interest in music. Almost all of them performed in a band while they were students in high school or college. The skills and passion for performing were begun and nurtured during their early years and have been rekindled by the opportunity to participate in WestwoodWinds.

Many members are or were Westwood residents. Other members hail from different communities and different states. Their ages range from mid-teens through retirement, including current high school and college students, recent college graduates just entering their respective professions, working adults, and retirees.

Melissa Laurencio is a sought-after performer, director, and private instructor with 20 years of experience as a professional musician on clarinet. She holds a Masters of Music degree in clarinet performance from Boston University where she studied with Thomas Martin of the BSO. 

She is the Music Director of Roma Band Musicians and performs in over 50 venues each year on clarinet. 

Her students are active in the musical community performing in prestigious music festivals, and local and international competitions, and are eatured on NPR’s “From the Top.” Many of her students continue to perform music in top Ivy League schools, music conservatories, and community organizations. A former student won a position in the President’s Own Army Field Band as a junior in college. 

• To provide opportunities for anyone interested in further developing their musical skills and knowledge
• To provide opportunities for anyone wishing to perform and/or support music in a community setting, not bound by age, or status
• To enrich the cultural environment of the communities and institutions in which it performs
• To collaborate with other organizations which are operated exclusively for educational and cultural purposes.

"Musicians don't retire; they stop when there's no more music in them."

Louis Armstrong