About the First Coast Wind Ensemble

The First Coast Wind Ensemble is an all-volunteer community music organization located in Jacksonville, Florida.  The title "First Coast" refers to its northeast Florida location where early French and Spanish explorers settled and its proximity to St. Augustine, America's oldest city.  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, faculty member at Florida Community College at Jacksonville.  The group enjoys the support of Jacksonville University and Florida Community College at Jacksonville, which provide both rehearsal space and access to their music libraries.

The mission of the First Coast Wind Ensemble is to: 

1. Serve as a cultural resource by providing outstanding performances of quality wind music.
2. Provide an opportunity for its volunteer members to participate in a cultural service organization.
3. Provide an opportunity for musical expression and growth among musicians of advanced proficiency.
4. Continue the community concert band tradition as an important part of America's musical heritage.

First Coast Wind Ensemble 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 presently consists of approximately 80 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 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 performances of quality wind music.  The ensemble achieved national recognition after acclaimed performances in April 1995 at the 17th annual, and in April 2003 at the 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.

For more information about the First Coast Wind Ensemble,
please contact our Conductors:

Artie Clifton - click here to email
Dale Blackwell - click here to email

For audition information, or for an application for membership,
please contact our Personnel Manager,  Susan May - click here to email

Site content Copyright © 2006, First Coast Wind Ensemble.
Site version 2006.1