GWS isn't Sousa under the band gazebo on the town green. Mike Christianson, founder and conductor, says, "This is our Americana - the version where we celebrate New York as the important cultural font it is, the version where we recognize jazz as the great artistic contributionit is. Within every wind ensemble is a jazz band ... literally." Since jazz is one of America's greatest artistic contributions, GWS plays as much of it as possible. But, in a strong nod to other traditions, the symphony also plays works by many great classical composers who were "smart" enough to write for the wind band.