Kaunas Wind Orchestra “Ąžuolynas” was founded in 1961. “Ąžuolynas” takes part in all of the most important city’s celebrations and events, delegations, many citizens of Kaunas still recall the orchestra’s performances in Laisvės (Freedom) avenue which used to take place every Friday. In addition, the orchestra often invites audience to listen to its solo programs at concert halls. The rich repertoire of “Ąžuolynas” includes programs of operas, operettas, musicals, concerts with the “taste” of jazz and estrada, together with prominent soloists of both Kaunas and the whole country.
The orchestra regularly participates in Lithuanian and Kaunas city song festivals, republican and international championships of wind orchestras, competitions and festivals. “Ąžuolynas” has repeatedly made the name of Kaunas famous in foreign countries, it is constantly organizing interesting educational programs. The orchestra is charachetized by professionalism and musical flexibility, thus, many organizers of the events are happy to invite it to their gatherings and, therefore, the audience of other Lithuanian and foreign cities has been many times fascinated by the music of the orchestra. In 2017, “Ąžuolynas” successfully participated in the XXXIII International Wind Orchestra Festival in Swiece, Poland (Wojska Polskiego 139, Swiecie, Poland). In 2017 the orchestra also participated in the XVII Open Lithuanian Wind Orchestra Championship in Panevėžys and became the 1st place winner of the E-category.
The orchestra was founded in 1961 under the Vytautas Culture and Recreation Park. The leader and first conductor of the orchestra was Česlovas Šidlauskas. In 1973, the orchestra was given the name “Ąžuolynas”. In the subsequent years of creative activity, the team was led by Jonas Lechavičius, Aloyzas Marcinkevičius, Marijonas Daunoravičius, Juozas Kučiauskas, Petras Tadaras, Vytautas Ramančiūnas. Currently the orchestra is led by Giedrius Vaznys. Since 1979, under the direction of J. Kučiauskas, the choreographic girls group has joined the orchestra. For 23 years this group was led by choreographer Stefanija Kazlauskienė and now it is led by Dainius Bervingis. These great dancers not only perform in the festive walks of the orchestra, but also organize individual original shows which the orchestra adds to its concert programs.
Since 2012, Kaunas Wind Orchestra “Ąžuolynas” has been a part of the concert institution “Kauno santaka”.