A concert band, also called wind band, symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind orchestra, wind symphony, wind ensemble, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of members of the woodwind, brass, and percussion families of instruments.

A concert band’s repertoire includes original wind compositions, transcriptions/arrangements of orchestral compositions and concert marches. During the middle part of the 20th century, the modern band went through somewhat of a renaissance.

School bands were growing in popularity and popping up all over the country. Previously, bands were large and were powerful in numbers. This began changing under the leadership of Frederick Fennell and his Symphonic Wind Ensemble at the Eastman School of Music. His band consisted of far fewer players, about 45, maintaining the sound of a large band, but with the virtuosity of a chamber group.

The goal of the concert band is artistic expression not just entertainment. The concert band plays serious wind literature written specifically for the concert band by great American Composers.