Endowed Chairs Program

The Endowed Chair is an exclusive distinction designed to honor an individual or organization that has provided outstanding support for the First Coast Wind Symphony. The program also helps to ensure the long-term continuation and growth of the organization through the Perpetual Trust Fund. More information about the program is available on our support page.

Our Endowed Chairs

The Artie Clifton Endowed Chair, Music Director

In October 2021, the First Coast Wind Symphony Board of Directors established the Music Director Endowed Chair to honor Artie Clifton’s 32 years of leadership and service to the organization. The award was presented by renowned composer Robert Sheldon, whose remarks acknowledged that “Artie Clifton has played an immeasurable part in enriching the lives of so many throughout his professional life, including his 32 years with this esteemed wind symphony.” Artie continues to guide and develop this community music organization. Here is the video presentation shown at the concert.

The Don Reynolds Endowed Chair, Concerto Competition Award

Friends, colleagues, former students, and family members established the Don Reynolds Endowed Chair to recognize a founding member, leader, and supporter of the First Coast Wind Symphony. This award honors Mr. Reynolds' 36 years as one of Florida's most distinguished music educators. The endowment will ensure the First Coast Wind Symphony can continue our mission to promote music education through the annual concerto competition.

A Jacksonville native and graduate of Jacksonville University, Don was the band director at Callahan Junior High School and West Nassau High School from 1976 until his retirement, creating one of Florida's finest band programs in a small-town community. Don received the Oliver Hobbs Award in 2010 from the Florida Bandmasters Association for "consistently doing an exceptional job year after year in the position of band director." You can hear him speak about his career and listen to reflections on his experiences at the FBA Legacy project.

Don was Principal Trumpet in the First Coast Wind Symphony from its inception until his passing in 2019. He was also former Associate Conductor and served on the board for many years in several positions, including Chair of the Board and Small Groups Coordinator. His years of mentoring students, teaching lessons, providing leadership in the First Coast Wind Symphony and in his profession, and sharing the beauty of his signature trumpet sound has left cherished memories for all who were fortunate enough to know him. Don is featured in this 2010 FCWS performance.

We will remember Don each year by awarding Florida’s premier student musicians with the Don Reynolds Concerto Competition Award, a recognition that honors Don's exceptional qualities as a master teacher, musician, colleague, family man, and friend.

The Dr. Dale Blackwell Endowed Chair, Principal Trumpet

In January 2008, the Board of Directors of the First Coast Wind Symphony created the first Endowed Chair in honor of Dr. Dale Blackwell, who was a founding leader of the First Coast Wind Symphony and served as co-conductor for 20 years. He holds the title of Conductor Emeritus. Dr. Blackwell is a nationally renowned trumpet performer and he is regarded as one of Florida's great bandsmen. In recognition of Dale's lifelong commitment to the Jacksonville community, this chair was funded by many donations big and small, reflecting the many people he has influenced as a performer, conductor, teacher and friend.

The Julie McDuffey Badger Endowed Chair, Principal Flute

In October 2019, the family of Julie Antoinette McDuffey Badger funded an endowment of the Principal Flute Chair. The Julie McDuffey Badger Endowed Chair is in honor of Julie as a charter member of the First Coast Wind Symphony. She played in the ensemble for 31 years, and served as Principal Flute for most of those years. Julie exemplified dedicated commitment to musical artistry and to the continued success of the First Coast Wind Symphony. Download a PowerPoint Presentation about Julie McDuffey Badger.

The Bobbie Lusko Endowed Chair, French Horn

In December 2019, Dr. Michael Lusko funded an endowed chair for French horn to commemorate his wife Bobbie Lusko’s 30 years as a charter member of the First Coast Wind Symphony.

Bobbie grew up in Key West in a musical family. Her mother played tuba and her father played trumpet. Bobbie started taking piano lessons in the second grade and has played French horn since junior high school. She attended Key West High School where she was the drum major in her senior year. Later she played in the pit orchestra for various productions at the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center in Key West.

Bobbie pursued a career as a registered nurse and became a helicopter flight nurse. She has worked in various areas of nursing including Emergency, Behavioral Health, ICU and Nursing Management. She is now retired.

“For 30 years the First Coast Wind Symphony has been an important part of my life. I feel very fortunate to live in a community that has such a valuable resource. I love being part of an organization that not only provides free concerts to the community but also gives local musicians from all walks of life an extraordinary opportunity to continue on their musical journey.”

The Ann Carey Holt Endowed Chair, French Horn

The Shughart Family Endowed Chairs, Trombone

In April 2022, the Shughart family generously funded three Endowed Chairs to honor three trombone siblings, Alan, Larry and Lucy. The April FCWS Family Concert featured Alan Shughart as soloist, an 18-member trombone choir and special music featuring the trombone section.

The Alan Shughart Endowed Chair, Principal Trombone

Alan Shughart completed 39 years as an instrumental music teacher, including 35 years in the Quakertown School District of Pennsylvania, where his jazz bands and concert bands were consistently rated superior. He holds degrees from West Chester University and the College of New Jersey.

Alan was an active member and Assistant Conductor of the Quakertown Community Band for 25 years. This organization was established in 1877 and is one of the oldest community bands in the country. He is the principal trombonist of the Philly German Brass Band and is a member of the Top Brass Quintet.

The Larry Shughart Endowed Chair, Trombone

Larry Shughart began playing the trombone in the fourth grade because his older brother Alan played the trombone. Larry earned B.S. degrees in chemistry and business from the University of Pittsburgh while being very active in the Pitt Bands. While earning his master's degree in transportation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Larry was Director of the all-student led MIT Marching Band.

After moving to Jacksonville to work for CSX, Larry joined the First Coast Wind Symphony where he developed lifelong friendships. He participates in community music including Yule Slide, Tuba Christmas, Art Walk, Bold City Brass, and church brass ensemble. He has served on the FCWS Board of Directors for many years.

Larry is a Railroad Consultant specializing in railway performance management, economic analysis, network operations, engineering, and strategic planning. He has worked on railway projects in over 25 different countries.

The Lucy (Shughart) Schlenker Endowed Chair, Bass Trombone

Lucy graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. degree in music education (piano and voice) and played trombone in several instrumental groups.

Lucy was a high school choir director in New Bethlehem, PA, and played trombone in the Kittanning Community Band. She then became middle school choir director in Royersford, PA, and performed with the Norristown Chorale and the Audubon Jazz Explosion.

Lucy and her husband Marty Schlenker, a rail transportation expert, moved to Alexandria, VA where she taught music at Grace Episcopal School and sang in the National Cathedral Choir in Washington, DC. In Fort Worth, Texas, Lucy taught music at The Clariden School. She currently teaches private music lessons in Grapevine, Texas, leads the annual the Yule Slide, and plays trombone in the Southlake Community Band.

The Alvin Rogers Endowed Chair, Guest Conductor