History of the First Coast Wind Symphony

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. Augustine, America's oldest city. The group was founded in 1990 as the First Coast Wind Ensemble and is registered as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. It is a member of the Association of Concert Bands, a national organization of community bands, and the Cultural Council of Jacksonville.

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 greater Jacksonville, Florida area.

The purpose of the First Coast Wind Symphony is to:

• Serve as a cultural resource by providing free concerts to the Jacksonville community.
• Provide an opportunity for its volunteer members to participate in a cultural service organization.
• Provide an opportunity for musical expression and growth among musicians of advanced proficiency.
• Continue the community concert band tradition as an important part of America's musical heritage.

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. The ensemble regularly performs with 60 players. Programs range from classical to popular band music, marches, chamber music and new works.

The First Coast Wind Symphony gives several concerts a year in Northeast Florida, all open to the public at no charge. The ensemble achieved national recognition after acclaimed performances in 1995 and in 2003 at the National Conventions of the Association of Concert Bands. A highlight of the 1997-98 concert season was a performance at the Southern Division 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. In May 2023, the group was selected to perform at the National Convention of the Association of Concert Bands in Orlando, FL.

The organization has demonstrated strong continuing support for music education, including projects such as partner concerts with local high school bands and choruses. Through its innovative programming, the FCWS has championed the works of noted contemporary American composers in concerts conducted by the composers and dedicated to their music. These composers include: David Holsinger, Richard Saucedo, Robert Sheldon, James Curnow, Robert W. Smith, Ralph Ford, Samuel Hazo, Mark Camphouse, Frank Ticheli, Jack Stamp, Andrew Boysen, Jr., Lewis Buckley, Brian Balmages, and Rossano Galante. Other projects include family concerts featuring music for all ages and the annual Concerto Competition for High School and Collegiate Musicians, an event open to all Florida students.

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 included live concert performances. For the group’s 25th anniversary season, Robert W. Smith was commissioned to write a new dedicatory work, Postcards from the First Coast, which was premiered on February 21, 2014 at Jacksonville University, conducted by the composer. For the ensemble’s 30th year, composer Jack Stamp premiered his First Coast Faze on February 23, 2019. Robert Sheldon conducted his new work for the FCWS, Incandescent Sky, on October 21, 2021.

For more information about the First Coast Wind Symphony, please contact Music Director Artie Clifton at artieclifton@fcwinds.org

For audition information, or for a membership application, please contact our Personnel Manager, Kelly Ethier at kellyethier@fcwinds.org