Support the First Coast Wind Ensemble
Professional Quality Music - Community Band Tradition
Support Opportunities
- The Dr. Dale Blackwell Endowed Chair, Principal Trumpet
- Friends of the First Coast Wind Ensemble
- Have Live Music at Your Next Party
- Sponsor the Purchase of a Musical Score
- Let us Play Your Song 'In Memory of' or 'In Honor of'
- Sponsor a Featured Soloist
- Sponsor a Guest Conductor
- The Endowed Chair Program
The First Coast Wind Ensemble is proud of the great music we perform for our community. We want to ensure live music is accessible and entertaining to a wide range of audiences in the North Florida region.
Our organization creates value for the community and provides an opportunity for members to exercise their artistic expression. The rehearsals and concerts are times for socializing with other members, families and friends. We are committed to entertaining our audiences by performing high quality musical works representing many different styles, cultural heritages, and historical periods.
Many of our members are music educators, active or retired Navy Bandsmen, teachers, and professors. We use our concerts as vehicles to educate children and adults about wind band music, musical styles, and music history. Our members regularly perform community events and support neighborhood functions. We perform in a wide variety of venues from Penny Farms to Fernandina Beach.
Please help us maintain America's tradition of town bands in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. As a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, your contributions will be tax-deductible (You may view our certificate here 
). Our members contribute their time and money toward providing our community with the finest wind music we can present.
Our organization needs funding to support on-going operations during the concert season including transportation of equipment to concert sites, publicity and advertising, concert programs, and the purchase of musical scores. In addition, we need funding for special projects including the production of our 20th Anniversary CD recording, paying guest conductors and/or guest musicians. We also plan to commission an original composition. We are always looking for individuals and businesses that can offer support with time, talents (not necessarily musical), and of course financial support.
We Need Your Support
If you have an interest in helpin gus, please look at the following opportunities and choose one that is right for you. We have two ways for you to contribute funds to our organization: Click on the appropriate "Donate" button to use our secure PayPal system, or contact Artie Clifton - (904) 744 9090
The Dr. Dale Blackwell Endowed Chair, Principal Trumpet - $50, $100 or $1,000
In January 2008, the Board of Directors of the First Coast Wind Ensemble created the first Endowed Chair in honor of Dr. Dale Blackwell who was a founding leader of the First Coast Wind Ensemble and has served as a Conductor for 20 years of its existence. Dr. Blackwell is a nationally renowned trumpet performer and he is regarded as one of Florida's great bandsmen.
In recognition of Dr. Blackwell's lifelong commitment to the Jacksonville community, this chair will be funded by many donations big and small, reflecting the many people Dale has influenced as a performer, conductor, teacher and friend.
By designating a monetary gift to the Dale Blackwell Chair, you have an opportunity to say 'Thank You' to Dale for his life-long contribution to music and community. Please reflect on what Dale has meant to you and your family, and help us by giving $50, $100, or $1,000
Friends of the First Coast Wind Ensemble - $100
FRIENDS OF THE FIRST COAST WIND ENSEMBLE is a core group of regular supporters who value the contribution we make to the Jacksonville Community. Membership in the FRIENDS group costs $100 per year and comes with the following benefits:
- Receive the FCWE newsletter
- Copy of our latest CD
- An FCWE golf shirt
- Receive tickets for upcoming concerts in the mail that you can use or hand out to friends
- Have your name listed in the program as a FRIEND of the FCWE
- Invitation to the FCWE annual Picnic Extravaganza
Have Live Music at Your Next Party- $250
If you make a $250 tax deductible gift to the First Coast Wind Ensemble, the musicians of the First Coast Wind Ensemble will provide one hour of live music at your function. CONTACT: Gene Moniot - (904) 215 6320 to discuss your venue, appropriate music, and scheduling.
- Dinner Parties
- Weddings
- Business functions
- Church Services
- Block Party
- Shopping centers
- Restaurant promotion
- Corporate Conferences
- Family Reunions
- Picnic
- Benefits
- Woodwind Quintet
- German/Ragtime Band
- Moravian Trombones
- Jazz Combo
- Brass Quintet
- Clarinet Choir
- Sexy Saxes
Sponsor the Purchase of a Musical Score - $500
We continually are looking to expand and update our library of music. You will work with the conductors, looking over their 'wish list' of scores they would like to acquire and choose one that fits your interests. Each piece of music will be stamped with an appropriate designation indicating your sponsorship.
Let us Play Your Song 'In Memory of' or 'In Honor of' - $750
You will work with the conductors to identify a special piece of music or style of music that is meaningful to your life. The entire Wind Ensemble will perform that piece in a concert setting, with a program note and an announcement indicating your sponsorship and dedication of the piece.
Sponsor a Featured Soloist - $1,000
On occasion, we have opportunities to perform with local celebrities, renowned soloists from out of town, or performers who are well regarded in their instrument or field of study. These events require funding to defray expenses, offer a stipend to the soloist, and acquire rights to perform the composition. You will have an opportunity to socialize with the guest artist, and your contribution and sponsorship will be appropriately noted in the program.
Sponsor a Guest Conductor - $2,500
The First Coast Wind Ensemble has earned a reputation as one of the finest community bands in the country. As such, famous conductors are willing to come to Jacksonville and work with our group to help us achieve new levels of excellence. We desire to bring in leading academics, studio directors, and famous wind band maestros. You will have an opportunity to socialize with the guest conductor, and your contribution and sponsorship will be appropriately noted in the program.
The Endowed Chair Program - $5,000
An endowed chair is the most exclusive distinction awarded by the First Coast Wind Ensemble. Sponsorers of an Endowed Chair choose an instrument and a seat to designate their gift. The Endowed Chair may be named personally for the donor, for a family, for an organization, or in Honor of someone or in Memory of someone. Each endowed chair requires a $5,000 tax-deductible donation be placed in the First Coast Wind Ensemble Perpetual Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is set up to ensure the long-term continuation and growth of the organization. Only the interest and dividends from the trust fund can be withdrawn and used for operating expenses. All endowed chairs will be listed in every concert program. Each endowed chair will have a leather bound musical folder prepared and engraved with the appropriate designation. The inside of the folder will contain a formal letter from the sponsor describing their motivation, history, and purpose for endowing the chair, so that all future musicians who hold that seat will perform with honor and merit becoming the chair.
We are seeking sponsorships for the following Endowed Chairs:
| Principal Clarinet | Principal Flute | Oboe |
| Bassoon | Saxophone | Euphonium |
| Principal Trombone | French Horn | Principal Percussion |
| Tuba |
CONTACT: Larry Shughart (904) 292 3000
