Central Europe Tour
23, AugThe 40-member FCWS touring ensemble traveled to Central Europe in June 2025. We visited the spa towns of Western Bohemia, Prague, and Kolin in the Czech Republic, then on to Bratislava, Slovakia before ending the tour in Budapest, Hungary. A fabulous experience!
We performed first with the Městský dechový orchestr (Municipal Wind Orchestra) of Cheb, Czechia, Jiří Smitek, Director, at the beautiful Garden Pavilion in Frantiskovy Lazne and at the Cultural Center in Cheb. We also visited Loket Castle (a 12th century Gothic castle) and the spa town of Karlovy Vary, the location of the European premiere of Dvorak's New World Symphony. In addition to seeing many iconic sites of Prague, we observed a masterclass/rehearsal with the Czech Army Band. We also represented the USA in a performance at the 60th annual International Music Festival in Kolin, Czechia.
As part of its Music Destinations Project, the First Coast Wind Symphony touring ensemble embarked on a trip to Vermont, July 1-6, 2024. The group performed in a partner concert on July 3 with the Burlington Concert Band in Battery Park on the banks of Lake Champlain. Brass players from both groups performed as the All-Star Brass Band prior to the annual Vermont Symphony Orchestra July 4 concert at the Shelburne Museum, a festive event complete with fireworks!
The First Coast Wind Symphony stayed in the historic Middlebury Inn and visited popular sites such as the Rock of Ages granite quarry in Barre, Morse Maple Farm, the Trapp Family Lodge and Bierhall in Stowe, the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier, Shelburne Farms, and Ft. Ticonderoga in New York. The tour concluded with a dinner cruise aboard the "Spirit of Ethan Allen" on beautiful Lake Champlain.
Cultural Exchange
24, OctOn October 24, 2017 at Jacksonville University, the FCWS hosted the Philharmonistes des Pays de Vaucluse from Piolenc, France in a partner concert. Each group performed separately and then together in a grand finale. The well-prepared French wind orchestra delivered an exciting performance! The event was a great opportunity to share our musical traditions, and performing together was great fun!
Austria Tour
21, JunFrom June 21-30, the First Coast Wind Symphony embarked on its first international tour! The group visited both Salzburg and Vienna, Austria, the cities of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, and performed three concerts in historic venues. Highlights of the tour included St. Andrä Church, the Salzburg fortress, Mozarthaus, Haydnhaus, Hallein Salt Mine, Lake Region, Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Vienna Musikverein and Esterhazy Palace. The touring ensemble also performed in a masterclass conducted by Vienna Philharmonic member, Mr. Christoph Koncz.
The tour ended with a fun and memorable cultural exchange concert in Zillingtal, Austria hosted by the community band Musikverein Dorfmusic Zillingtal, whose members were very warm and welcoming! In addition to the FCWS, the event included a special performance by the Croatian folk group Tamburica Celindof.