The First Coast Wind Symphony is an all-volunteer community music organization located in Jacksonville, Florida. The title "First Coast" refers to northeast Florida, where early French and Spanish explorers settled, and home to St. The group is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is a member of the Association of Concert Bands, a national organization of community bands. The organization was founded in 1990 by co-conductors Artie Clifton, faculty member at Jacksonville University, and Dr. Dale Blackwell, former faculty member at Florida State College at Jacksonville. It enjoys the support of Jacksonville University and FSCJ, which provide both rehearsal space and access to their music libraries. The group is a member of the Association of Concert Bands, a national organization of community bands. The mission of the First Coast Wind Symphony is to serve as a cultural resource by providing outstanding performances of quality wind music in the Jacksonville, Florida area. First Coast Wind Symphony membership is open to any musician who completes a successful audition and agrees to the conditions of membership as stated in the bylaws. The membership consists of approximately 100 woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists who represent a number of different occupations, including professional musicians. Programs range from classical to popular band music, marches, chamber music and new works. The ensemble gives several concerts a year in Northeast Florida, all open to the public at no charge. It serves as an important cultural resource, dedicated to providing outstanding performances of quality wind music. The ensemble achieved national recognition after acclaimed performances in April 1995 at the 17th annual, and in April 2003 (25th annual), National Convention of the Association of Concert Bands. A highlight of the 1997-98 concert season was a performance on February 28, 1998 at the Southern Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association. The wind symphony completed its first international tour in June 2017, presenting concerts in Salzburg and Vienna, Austria. The ensemble toured Switzerland, Germany and France in June 2022. The First Coast Wind Symphony has recorded three compact discs. The first CD, titled “Prevailing Winds,” was produced in 2001 and featured the music of Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Gershwin, and other composers. The second disc, “A Christmas Celebration,” was recorded in 2007. The third CD, “Symphonic Spirit,” celebrates the group’s 20th year. In 2012, a DVD titled “Sounds of the First Coast” was released that includes recent live concert performances. For more information about the First Coast Wind Symphony, please contact our Music Director Artie Clifton at [email protected].
