A significant event for the life of the school was the opening in 1954 of the department of wind and percussion instruments (head K. Prygunov). The first, very small number of wind teachers – K. Prygunov (clarinet), K. Timusov (clarinet), S. Rosenman (trumpet), J. Rubanchik (trombone) – became the foundation on the basis of which the department expanded significantly over time.
Currently, the school trains children in the widest range of wind instruments. These are flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tenor, baritone, tuba. In addition, having a good material base for the class of donated instruments allows you to work with great creative output.
Many pupils of the department of wind and percussion instruments (head E. Kalinovsky) became laureates and diploma winners of various city, republican and international competitions and festivals. Among them are A. Vakulenko (clarinet), A. Kibkalo (flute), A. Kholomkin, I. Blokhin (bassoon), N. Petrov, (saxophone), A. Rudkovsky (trombone), S. Buranov (percussion instruments) and many others.
The graduates of the department are currently working in various orchestral ensembles both in our republic and abroad. In addition to educational groups, the Lira brass band (directed by L. Kalinovsky), which received the title of “Exemplary” in 1993, as well as the Exemplary (since 1994) percussion ensemble “Rim-Shot” (conducted by A. Gankova). Teachers and students of the department of wind and percussion instruments actively participate in the musical life of the city and the republic.