Thursday, March 19, 2009, Rich Wetzel, Bach Artist and Conn-Selmer, Inc. Northwest Business Manager, was a special guest soloist at the debut opening home game of major league soccer’s newest team, the Seattle Sounders. He played solos with the first marching band in the league, Sound Wave. Rich’s band, “Rich Wetzel’s Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra”, are very well known in the area. He also helped put together the deal with The Seattle Sounders band directors Keith Rousu and Steve Baretich, in cooperation with Mills Music, to equip the band with King Ultimate Marching Brass and Ludwig Marching Percussion.

After meetings with Sound Wave and our Conn-Selmer staff, a decision was made that the best quality and sound for the group would be King Ultimate Marching Brass and Ludwig Marching Percussion. With teamwork from Conn-Selmer Marketing Directors Mike Kamphius and Jim Catalano, and Mike Mills of Mills Music in Bothell WA, Sound Wave is a successful and highly visible extension of the Seattle Sounders. 

The band was the brainchild of comedian and owner/partner, Drew Carey. Drew is a trumpet player and part of his interest to invest in the team was that they have a marching band! The band is incredibly popular all over the northwest already since they have performed in several community events in addition to the games. The band proudly owns game and parade banners that have the name of the band, with logos for King Ultimate Marching Brass, Ludwig, Conn-Selmer Inc, and Mills Music. 

Conn-Selmer, Inc., the largest manufacturer of band and orchestral instruments and accessories in the United States, is a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.  To contact Conn-Selmer, write to P.O. Box 310, Elkhart, IN 46515-0310 U.S.A. or visit www.conn-selmer.com.