This season marks the band’s 41st season. Founded by William Stiehl in 1967, the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band was originally associated with Miami University’s Middletown Campus. Later, the band was sponsored by various area businesses, prompting the Ohio Senate to pass a special resolution commending the cooperation between supporting businesses and the performing arts. Today, the band is again affiliated with Miami University’s Middletown Campus. The band is a true “community band” with members from the Cincinnati, Hamilton, Middletown, and Dayton areas. Musicians volunteer their time and include professional, amateur, and student musicians. Each year, a few exceptional high school students are chosen to join the band. Since reestablishing its ties to the University, Miami students can also join the band for college credit. A number of professional musicians who still play with the band today began as student members years ago.