The Bay Winds Band was formed and had its first rehearsal in October of 1980 under the name of the Anne Arundel Community Band. The name soon was changed to the Maryland Hall Community Band, reflecting the name of the rehearsal hall.The name Bay Winds was adopted when the group incorporated. The band later moved to its present rehearsal location at the Annapolis High school.

The first conductor was Alice Harper. She was followed by the U.S.Naval Academy Band's conductor, Ray Ascione. When Commander Ascione was transferred to the command of the Navy's Music School in Norfolk, VA, Commander John Pastin stepped to the podium. Tom Mosser succeeded Commander Pastin, and was in turn followed by Rinaldo Massimino. The assistant conductor Michael Svec replaced Rinaldo Massimino as conductor in the early 1990's.

The late Kevin Pallett and Eric Richards of the U.S. Army Field Band served as assistant conductors to Mr. Svec in the early 1990’s. Principal oboist Russ DeVilbiss, MUCS, USN (Ret), became assistant conductor in 1996 and took over as conductor in 2011 when Michael Svec retired.