Founded in 1998 by Louis Sinoff, the Charles River Wind Ensemble (CRWE) is a music group with the mission of promoting the performance, appreciation, and composition of classical and contemporary wind ensemble music. The CRWE achieves this goal through its annual series of free concerts in Newton. These performances promote appreciation and educate the community through brief concert talks and program notes about the composers and pieces being performed. By frequently performing new pieces by contemporary composers, the ensemble also supports the continued growth of the modern wind ensemble repertoire.

The members of the CRWE are a diverse group of talented musicians from the greater Boston Metropolitan area. Most members performed in college ensembles and many have music degrees. The CRWE provides its members with the opportunity to play quality music in a rigorous, challenging, semi-professional music environment. All of the members are volunteers who take time out of their busy lives to rehearse Tuesday nights at Watertown High School.

Dedicated to bringing music to the community, Charles River Wind Ensemble concerts are free, open to the public and performed at the handicapped-accessible First Baptist Church of Newton in Newton Centre.