These elected student leaders perform essential roles within the Wind Ensemble. As both a curricular course and a student organization, the Wind Ensemble’s student leadership are tasked with diverse responsibilities, including administrating tours, managing publicity, concert recording/archiving, and financial development.
Layne O’Connell (’25): President
Layne is a senior double majoring in English and Music. In addition to playing bass clarinet in Wind Ensemble, she loves to conduct and is the Orchestral Director for the Sinfonicron Light Opera Company. She also enjoys volunteering with the Office of Admissions and with Merrimac Mentors, a group that visits the juvenile detention center on weekends. She loves to travel, swim, listen to True Crime podcasts, and spend time with her precious German-Shepard Husky, Maverick (named after the movie Top Gun).
Layne can be reached at lmoconnell@wm.edu.
The President is responsible for running all official meetings and presiding over all business relating to the Wind Ensemble that is not included in the domain of the Band Director. The President works closely with the Band Director, serving as a student representative for the Wind Ensemble.
Zachariah Morris (’25): Treasurer
Zach is majoring in Physics with a minor in Mathematics and a concentration in Engineering Physics and Applied Design. He’s from Cape Cod, Massachusetts (Falmouth to be exact). He’s an Eagle Scout as well! Aside from the Wind Ensemble, Zach also serves as the treasurer for Delta Tau Omicron, the co-ed music fraternity on campus, and he’s on the exec board for the W&M Smash Bros Club! In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and bass (and saxophone when he has time), watching The Clone Wars animated series, and collecting Pokémon cards and vinyl records!
The Treasurer is responsible for collecting dues and managing the Wind Ensemble’s Student Organization bank account. The Treasurer is expected to keep clear, accurate financial records, pay bills when due, write checks for donations when appropriate, and report expenditures and the total amount in the Wind Ensemble Student Organization account.
Rachel Sawyer (’26): Secretary
Rachel is a Psychology Major and Linguistics minor. She has played the trumpet for 13 years and is a junior in Wind Ensemble. Her favorite memory of the Wind Ensemble is the International Tour to Vienna and Prague in the summer of 2023. In addition, she is a member of Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble Social Committee, Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity, and is the current Secretary for Nu Kappa Epsilon, a music sorority on campus. Along with her job as the Wind Ensemble Music Librarian, she is a Certified Nurses Aide working in Rehabilitation, skilled nursing, Hospice Care, and Long Term Care. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing and writing about dragons, and doing all things music!
The Secretary is responsible for taking attendance and reporting absences to the Director at all rehearsals and mandatory events. The Secretary must also take minutes at all Officer Board meetings and keep accurate records of these minutes.
Eleanor Grant (’25) & Jonah Layton: Tour Directors
Eleanor is a senior majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Data Science. In addition to Wind Ensemble, she is a member of the Westminster Ringers (which you should ask her about – it’s very fun!!), and she works as the Outreach Coordinator for DisinfoLab.
Jonah is a sophomore majoring in Economics. He’s a member of the Debate club and CCM. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano, reading, and hanging out with his friends.
The Tour Directors work with the President and Director in designing and executing the Ensemble’s annual tour. The Tour Directors work with the Treasurer on fundraising efforts and inform the Ensemble of all logistical and travel details.
Lucas Thompson (’26) and Sarah Bigley (27): Publicity & Outreach Directors
Lucas is an Econ and Applied Stats double major. Outside of playing the oboe, he’s a member of the varsity cross country and track team. He’s an avid landscape (specifically waterfalls) and wildlife photographer, and he loves spending time outside by hiking, kayaking, and biking.
Sarah loves playing flute in the William and Mary Wind Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, and Pep band. She’s also a member of the music sorority Nu Kappa Epsilon (NKE). Outside of music, she enjoys working as a Dining Sustainability intern on campus and can usually be found around Lake Matoaka or somewhere else outside. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, camping, and exploring Colonial Williamsburg.
The Publicity & Outreach Directors are responsible for actively advertising Wind Ensemble events, such as concerts and fundraising events, and recruiting new members. The Publicity & Outreach Directors are also responsible for maintaining Wind Ensemble social media and merchandise.
Ella Keenan (’27): Social Director
Ella is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Music. She’s involved in Nu Kappa Epsilon, Neuroscience Student Organization, and Remote Area Medical at William and Mary. She loves reading, playing and listening to music, and spending time with friends!
The Social Director plans and executes social events for Ensemble members on a regular basis.
Ryan Russell (’25): Web Manager
Ryan is a senior majoring in Computer Science with minors in Physics and Mathematics. Outside of band, he loves learning new coding concepts, and he’s been really into video game development ever since he took a game design class at W&M. When he’s not in school, he’s usually playing video games or being dragged into downtown London by his younger brother.
The Web Manager is responsible for the upkeep of the Wind Ensemble website such as uploading new images and keeping it up to date.