The Twin Ports Wind Orchestra was founded as the Twin Ports Wind Ensemble in the spring of 1990 by Dr. Timothy Mahr, former Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota Duluth and current Director of Bands at St. Olaf College. Membership is comprised of the finest wind and percussionists in the northland. Part of the UMD Music Outreach Program, the ensemble is dedicated to the performance of the finest literature for the wind band, both old and new.

Our membership includes music educators, members of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra and the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, some area college and university students and many talented community members who make their living in a wide variety of other career fields. The group usually has 4 to 5 rehearsals to prepare for each concert.

The group changed its name to the Twin Ports Wind Orchestra in the Fall of 2005.