About the FSWE

History:

in 1966, Donald C. Clough founded the Flint Civic Wind Ensemble (FCWE) with a select gruop of 33 musicians from the Flint Symphony Orchestra, other Flint area professional musicians and skilled amateur musicians. The FCWE was organized under the umbrella of the Flint Community Music Association (FCMA, the forerunner of FIM) and was modeled after the world famous Eastman Wind Ensemble, with even the seating arrangement being used. The FCWE name was changed to Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble in 1984 and received official non-profit status in 1999.

Conductors of the FCWE / FSWE include Don Clough, George Cavender, Dr. William D. Revelli, Leonard Falconi, Thomas Tyra, James Curnow, Jim Lee, Lorrie Lyley, Roy Johnson, Michael Keller, and our current conductor, Chris Anderson.

Notable performances of the FCWE / FSWE include:

  • Playing for the first ever public performance in Whiting Auditorium, Flint in May 1966
  • Performing for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) spring meeting in 1967
  • Serve as the official band for President Jimmy Carter during his trip to Flint on the way to the Democratic National Convention

Recent commissions include “A New Tomorrow” by Robert Longfield, in honor of the FSWE’s 50th Anniversary and “Legacy” by Catherine McMichael, in honor of the City of Flint’s 200th Anniversary.

Mission:

The mission of the Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble (FSWE) is:

  • to provide musical access to both practice and performance for adult musicians and
  • to provide music education and entertainment for the community.

Major Programs:

The major programs of the Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble include:

  • A rehearsal schedule is followed on Tuesday evenings during the school year, allowing an opportunity for area adult musicians to practice their music with other adult musicians and to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of instrumental music.
  • Four to six concert performances are offered to the Greater Flint Area during each year, providing an opportunity for the community to enjoy instrumental music by seasoned musicians and to increase music appreciation. Some of these are in high schools and/or middle schools, with student musicians joining the FSWE members in performing.

Links with Similar Organizations:

The Flint Symphonic Wind Ensemble is honored to be a part of the vibrant musical culture that exists in Flint and the surrounding area. The FSWE shares musicians with the following area organizations:

Member of The Association of Concert Bands