Welcome!

Welcome to the home of the First Coast Wind Ensemble. The membership of the ensemble is composed of musicians from Jacksonville and the First Coast area, ranging in background from professional musicians and educators to business professionals and college students. The ensemble membership represents a cross-section of the Jacksonville population, brought together for the common purpose of creating music.

The First Coast Wind Ensemble continues the great American tradition of community bands and wind ensembles. Conceived during the Winter 1990 Southern Convention of the College Band Directors National Association by Dale Blackwell, Artie Clifton, and the late Alvin Rogers, the ensemble's premiere performance was on October 18, 1990, under the direction of Dr. Blackwell and Mr. Clifton.

Concert at the Jacksonville Beaches Seawalk Pavillion The ensemble has premiered several pieces for wind ensemble over the last few years and performed at the 1995 National Convention of the Association of Concert Bands and the 1998 Southern Convention of the College Band Directors National Association. We were particularly honored to perform for the 25th National Convention of the Association of Concert Bands in April 2003. The FCWE continues to perform the newest literature for wind ensemble, while maintaining a link to the classics that have sustained wind ensembles and concert bands throughout their history.

We hope you will attend all of our performances this concert season. With the continued support of you, the loyal listening audience, and our many generous patrons, we expect this season to be our most successful yet. We hope you enjoy our concerts as we continue to strive for musical excellence and, most importantly, musical enjoyment.

Sincerely,

Dale Blackwell Artie Clifton

The First Coast Wind Ensemble receives cultural service grant funds from the City of Jacksonville, administered through the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville.