Piedmont Wind Symphony's American Music Ensemble (AME) is a chamber ensemble dedicated to celebrating the rich and diverse traditions of American music through historically inspired and audience-centered performances. Drawing from ragtime, marches, Americana, Dixieland jazz, and early popular music, the ensemble explores the vibrant musical landscape that shaped American culture in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The ensemble’s distinctive sound is inspired by the instrumentation Scott Joplin used in his famous Red Back Book arrangements, combining piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion to recreate the energy and color of America’s early popular music traditions. Programs feature beloved ragtime classics such as The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag, alongside John Philip Sousa marches including The Washington Post and Stars and Stripes Forever, as well as Americana favorites, spirited Dixieland jazz selections, and lively “toe-tappers” that capture the joy and optimism of the era.

Presented in intimate chamber settings, AME performances emphasize close audience interaction, interpretive storytelling, and educational context, allowing listeners to experience American musical history in a welcoming and engaging environment. The ensemble was introduced as part of Piedmont Wind Symphony’s expanding chamber music initiatives and serves as a cornerstone of the organization’s mission of bringing people together through music.

Mark A. Norman, Piedmont Wind Symphony Artistic Director / Conductor