“We’re forming a band and we’re aiming high!” was the message sent out to local brass players and percussionists in 1997 when it was discovered that the experienced and successful brass band director, Dr. Keith M. Wilkinson, was residing in north-east Ohio. The band became established in the Fall of 1997, high musical standards were established, enthusiasm was high and progress was rapid. Within two and a half years the band was competing with the elite of the country’s bands in the Championship Section of the North American Brass Band Championships, a position it has proudly maintained ever since.

The major emphasis of BBWR’s activities is the presentation of dynamic concerts, taking the vibrant brass band sound and a wide variety of repertoire to its enthusiastic audiences. Prestigious concert venues have included The Amphitheater, Chautauqua Institution, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside and Severance Hall, Cleveland. The band also presents its own Concert Series, five concerts each year, often with guest artists. Whether performing in a large auditorium or an outdoor gazebo setting the band’s goals are always the same, to present quality music at the highest possible level of performance with a passion and energy which is apparent to the audience.

Membership of the band is by audition and, in addition to music educators and music students, several other professions are represented including accountant, attorney, information technology specialist, pastor and truck driver.

Since 2000 the band has been a proud ambassador for the University of Akron, bearing the title Ensemble-In-Residence.

The band’s most recent CDs are Holy Brass (released May 2007), Slides Rule! (with guest trombone soloist, Brett Baker, released October 2007) and Windows of the World (released April 2008). These are available at most concerts.