“A Cold and Windy Night” was the title given by the Little Rock Wind Symphony to its first concert. It was, however, anything but cold at Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, on February 8, 1994, when the Wind Symphony performed its first public concert. The house was packed, hot, and muggy. Regardless of the almost unbearable, record-setting heat, the concert was a sounding and resounding success. The Wind Symphony thus undertook its role as a major contributor to the growing interest in symphonic band music in Arkansas and in the nation.
   The first Board of Directors of the Little Rock Wind Symphony, Inc., was made up of wind musicians who were dedicated to assembling a first-rate musical group with a first-rate music director. This was found in the person of Wendell Evanson, former Director of Bands and former Chair of the Music Department at Henderson State University. His great interest in this project was evident from the outset. In the ensuing years, his leadership and outstanding musicianship enabled the group to mature into the excellent corps that it is today. Talented symphony members are joined by outstanding soloists to produce performances of superb quality.
   The Wind Symphony performs concerts each fall, winter, and spring in addition to its vastly popular Christmas Concert in December. All concerts are held at Second Presbyterian Church. Another annual seasonal highlight is the "Stars and Stripes Celebration" in honor of Flag Day, held  outdoors in June in MacArthur Park.
   The Wind Symphony has performed in cities throughout Arkansas. Out of town concerts are usually sponsored by arts and education groups. The LRWS is a participant of the Arkansas Arts Council's Arts On Tour program.
   The Wind Symphony is supported financially by donations received from concert attendees and from individuals' and corporations' concert sponsorships. The musicians donate their time, effort, and talent as a gift to the city and to the audiences who hear them play.

Wendell O. Evanson was the founding music director of the Little Rock Wind Symphony and served in that capacity until his retirement in July 2005.
   Maestro Evanson is Professor of Music Emeritus at Henderson State University where he served as Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands until his retirement from that position. Prior to his 30-year tenure at Henderson, Evanson spent eight years in the public schools of Arkansas teaching instrumental music. After retirement, he remained active as an adjudicator and clinician for wind instrumental organizations throughout the United States. His bands have performed for regional CBDNA and MENC conventions and have toured Japan, Korea, and the Philippines as well as the Panamanian and Caribbean military bases. In 1991, he was awarded the "H" Award for meritorious service to Henderson State University and in 1998 the HSU Board of Trustees voted to name the band rehearsal hall in his honor.
   He is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the Arkansas Bandmasters Association, and the Arkansas Bandmasters Hall of Fame. He holds life memberships in Phi Beta Mu National Bandmasters Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the College Band Directors National Association.
    Maestro Evanson holds Music Degrees from Hendrix College and the University of Michigan. He studied conducting with Dr. William D. Revelli and Dr. James Neilson while at Michigan, and Angelo Brusilov at North Texas University. He has performed under the baton of Joseph Blatt, Maynard Kline, and Robert Shaw.