Since he arrived on campus in the 1990s, Professor Emeritus Artie Clifton鈥檚 goal was to create a top-notch community band for 探花族, and provide the best educational experience to his music students.
Luckily, the two went hand in hand. Clifton developed the First Coast Wind Symphony, and JU students have played in it, networked with its musicians and hosted its performances since.
And this month, Clifton鈥檚 decades of dedication to the FCWS as founder, music director and conductor was recognized with the top honor for community bands in the country: The John Philip Sousa Foundation鈥檚 Sudler Silver Scroll Award.
The award recognizes 鈥渃ommunity bands that have demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years, and which have played a significant and leading role in the cultural and musical environment in their respective communities.鈥�
鈥淎rtie Clifton has established his career as a conductor as someone who has meticulous attention to detail and is committed to the highest standard of artistry in wind music,鈥� said Dr. Tim Snyder, Dean of the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities. 鈥淎rtie established that when he came to JU in the early 1990s, that was part of his calling card during his years as a professor here and it鈥檚 so great to see him recognized for that on a national level.鈥�
The First Coast Wind Symphony is a non-profit community music organization. Volunteer musicians comprise the band, and thanks to the longtime partnership Clifton has fostered, JU students play alongside the band, as do the University鈥檚 alumni. The band also partners with local high schools for concerts and hosts an annual Concerto Competition for high school and college musicians, in addition to the concerts it plays for the community throughout the year.
鈥淐reating the band gave us a way to help JU students connect with local professionals in the community,鈥� Clifton said. 鈥淭hat was a very important part of founding it. I鈥檓 a big believer in giving back to the community and being able to provide a cultural opportunity for audiences in 探花族.鈥�
鈥淲e are very proud to receive this recognition,鈥� Clifton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy to get this award, and it was quite a process to apply.鈥�
Dr. Snyder said he鈥檚 been following the band for nearly 15 years, and in that time, has known it as 鈥渙ne of the finest鈥� community ensembles in the country that consistently displays 鈥渢he highest attention to musical and artistic detail, superb professionalism, musicianship, and deeply moving interpretations of the repertoire.鈥�
鈥淛U is proud to be a partner and supporter of the FCWS since its inception in 1990,鈥� Dr. Snyder said. 鈥淯nder Prof. Clifton鈥檚 outstanding leadership, the symphony has richly supported the academic program in music at 探花族 and has served as part of our community outreach in the arts for over three decades.鈥�
To see the First Coast Wind Symphony perform, .
