About Us
History
The American Legion Symphonic Band was founded in January, 2004 by Arthur Tenny, a Viet Nam Veteran and a member of American Legion Post 142 in Pompano Beach, FL. Art with a number of other Charter Members who had been associated with the bands in the Deerfield and Pompano Beach Communities wanted to continue the tradition of live Concert Band music in the South Florida area. In 2018, the Band’s name was changed to the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds. We now have a membership of 40 professional and amateur musicians who volunteer their time and talents to provide the “Light Up the Holidays” Concerts, and the Memorial Day Ceremony for the City of Fort Lauderdale. For Pompano Beach, we do a 9/11 Ceremony and Concerts at PB Centers. We’ve expanded our outreach to include Concerts in new locations in South Florida and we are glad to be able to continue to support a special Honor Flight Concert to support their mission. Check out our Concert Schedule and contact us for more information.
Band Officers
President Sally Craig
Vice President Michele Nicklas
Secretary
Treasurer Reid Becker
Librarian Kellie Smith
Personnel Cindy Pinera
Property Manager
Meet the Conductor
Rafael Ramirez is the Conductor of the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds. He has been a performer of percussion for over 30 years and is a local graduate of Deerfield Beach High School and holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Florida. He was a part of the inaugural year of the Herd of Thunder Marching Band, along with performing with the USF Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble during his time at USF. Rafael was also a member of the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa and he was the Assistant Corps Director/Tour Manager for the Kiwanis Kavaliers from 2001-2004.
In addition to his Conducting, Rafael is a master percussionist with the: Broward Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Pride Band, Sunrise Pops, and Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches. We are fortunate to have him apart of the FLSW family and look forward to his energetic and lively conducting and we welcome him to the podium of the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds.
