First Coast Wind Symphony Mother's Day Concert

The 60-member First Coast Wind Symphony, Jacksonville’s premier community music organization, will present a Family Concert on Mother’s Day, May 12, 5:00 pm, at St. John’s Cathedral, 256 E. Church St. in downtown Jacksonville. The concert and parking are free.

This varied and exciting program of music for the whole family will feature a winner of the 2024 FCWS Concerto Competition for High School Musicians, open to all Florida students. The second-prize winner of this year’s event is Noah Marsh, a senior at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville. He receives a $500 prize and will perform the James Curnow “Rhapsody for Euphonium” with the First Coast Wind Symphony.

Noah Marsh plays euphonium in his school’s wind ensemble and trombone in the jazz band. He has played in ensembles that have performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the College Band Directors National Association, the New York Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall, and the Western International Band Clinic in Washington. He was also chosen for the Florida All-State Symphonic Band during his junior and senior years.

The Family Concert on May 12 will also feature music by John Williams, Alfred Reed, John Philip Sousa, and Ernesto Lecuona. The First Coast Wind Symphony will premiere “The Spring Breakers,” a new work by Jacksonville composer Bill Boston written especially for the ensemble.

Tim Tuller, St. John’s Cathedral organist, will be featured in a symphonic poem by composer David Gillingham titled “Prophecy of the Earth.” The work illuminates ecological challenges of our planet with dramatic and haunting themes throughout this ambitious composition.

The beautiful and tender “Theme from Schindler’s List” by John Williams will feature Jacksonville Symphony violinist Megan McClendon Rios. And music from the anime movie “Howl’s Moving Castle” will include video clips from the popular film to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.

The First Coast Wind Symphony is led by Music Director Artie Clifton and Conductor Paul Weikle. Currently in its 34th season, the group provides a cultural service by offering free concerts of quality wind music throughout the greater Jacksonville area.

In November, the First Coast Wind Symphony received two national music awards: the John Philip Sousa Foundation 2023 Sudler Silver Scroll Award for the most outstanding community band in the U.S., and the 2023 American Prize in Performance, Celebrating American Excellence in the Arts. The ensemble is proud to represent Jacksonville as one of the finest community bands in the U.S.

The First Coast Wind Symphony has released three albums to wide acclaim, Prevailing Winds, A Christmas Celebration and Symphonic Spirit, and a DVD titled Sounds of the First Coast. More information about the group and season 34 is available atwww.fcwinds.org.