Ethereal Winds Independent (EWI) is an indoor marching winds ensemble based in El Paso, Texas. You can think similar to a marching band on a slightly smaller scale that performs inside, instead of outside. EWI uses woodwinds, brass, percussion, and color guard elements in their ensemble. EWI doesn’t have an age requirement, or restriction, so all ages and skill levels are welcome to learn more about the marching and performing arts!

“WGI Sport of the Arts is the world’s premier organization producing indoor color guard, percussion, and winds competitions. As a non-profit youth organization, WGI also serves as the governing body for the indoor color guard, percussion, and winds activities. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format.” Ethereal Winds Independent competes in the WGI Winds category.

Anyone who plays a woodwind, brass, or rhythm instrument are welcome to audition to be a member, as well as dancers or anyone with color guard experience! Interested members must attend our interest and audition camps to be considered as a member. If you aren’t able to make these in person, feel free to reach out to us about sending in a video audition. In order to attend these camps, the registration fee must be purchased.

You can register to audition here. You may also register in person at the interest and audition camp. After purchasing your registration fee, you will be emailed a link to download the audition exercise packet. If you register in person, you will be emailed the audition exercise packet, as well. This packet includes material to be gone over during camp, so it is best to register early so you can review it before the camp.

The indoor marching season begins with interest and audition camps in September. Rehearsal weekends will begin in October and carry on into January. In February, rehearsal weekends will continue along with local and out-of-town contests. March consists of our biggest contests with out of town travel for WGI Regionals. April is where our season concludes with WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.

Our rehearsals are on the weekends. Friday rehearsals are from 5:30pm to 10:30pm. Saturday rehearsals are from 9:00am to 10:00pm with lunch and dinner breaks in between. These rehearsals are crucial to our success, as we learn and clean our drill, music, and choreography for our show during these times.

Ethereal Winds Independent has yet to solidify its 2025 schedule, but stay tuned! Reflecting previous years’ travel plans, EWI travels to the WGI Phoenix Regional in early March. EWI will also travel to the WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH in April.

Membership dues for EWI 2024 were $1,710. This fee includes instrument/equipment use, instrument/equipment maintenance, a custom uniform, travel, housing, show design fees, show production costs, rehearsal facility fees, contest fees, and staff instruction. Veteran members also receive a discount depending on the amount of years they’ve marched. Additionally, if members have participated in other SCMA ensembles, they are eligible for a discount, as well!

Not entirely! We offer plenty of fundraising opportunities to alleviate out-of-pocket costs. With these opportunities, many members are able to pay off all, if not most, of their tuition. We also have flexible payment plans to fit what is best for you. Examples of our fundraising opportunities include calendar fundraisers, donations, sponsorship letters, community events, merchandise fundraisers, and more!

EWI offers an incredible opportunity to learn more about the marching and performing arts. Members can dive deeper into this activity outside of their school programs. Because EWI is the only one of two winds groups in El Paso and the only independent winds group, many members have never marched indoor winds before. You will develop musical and performance skills, gain lifelong friendships, and travel and perform for cheering crowds! After marching with EWI, many alumni return to their programs with a wealth of knowledge to share with their peers. Alumni also go on to march with Drum Corps in the summer. Don’t miss out on this amazing chance to push yourself, create unforgettable memories, and become part of the EWI family!