Although its parent institution is comparatively young, the UNLV Wind Orchestra has established a reputation for innovation and high quality. The group has commissioned and premiered new works by numerous American composers, mostly young. The director of the UNLV Wind Orchestra since 1985 has been Thomas G. Leslie, who also serves as the school's Director of Wind Band Studies. In 1998, it released its first album, It Takes a Village..., with trademark cartoon artwork related to the works on the program. The UNLV Wind Orchestra has 60 members, composed of music majors, non-music majors, and select graduate students enrolled in master's and doctoral instrumental programs at the university. The group has recorded more than 20 albums, including the 2023 release Joe's Tango: Concerto for Trombone & Other Works, featuring veteran New York Philharmonic principal trombonist Joseph Alessi.