About us
The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble was founded in 1993 by the musician, composer, and inventor of the ‘Lyons C Clarinet’ Graham Lyons. The ensemble continues to thrive under the direction of Shea Lolin, who was appointed in March 2005. BWE provides adult amateur woodwind players with the opportunity to promote and develop their musical ability and ensemble skills in a relaxed and informal setting, to build a varied repertoire of woodwind ensemble music, and to perform in public.
Acknowledged for creating bold and distinctive programmes, BWE collaborates with imaginative artists across the genres on a wide-ranging programme from arrangements of light music, core repertoire and works by contemporary composers. The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble has commissioned three original works and well over sixty arrangements.
In 2010 The Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble created a new flute and clarinet choir, BWE2. The Bloomsbury Music Group (BMG) encompasses both groups and is a member of Making Music and British Association of Symphonic Wind Bands and Ensembles. BMG is an equal opportunities group and registered charity (number 1139541)
...the hushed tones of Holst's 'Venus' [from the Planets] opening with a melancholy alto sax and featuring a twinkling piano at the conclusion, highlighted the sincerity of the ensemble and found it quite moving...
John Holland, Review for Winds magazine, Winter 2010
