About the Fund
The all-volunteer Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches (https://symphonicband.org/) was founded in 1961. The group performs eight concerts/year split between the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens and the Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth. The mission of the Band is to give audiences memorable, toe-tapping experiences at an affordable price at accessible venues, challenge members to grow and develop musically, and award scholarships and grants to the youth of the Palm Beach County community for their continued educational and cultural growth. Proceeds from the concert series and small grants are used to support band programs in Palm Beach County Schools and for summer music camps and college scholarships.
Joe Terrell, a volunteer trombonist in the Symphonic Band and a former high school Band Director from Texas, knows the impact that the right instrument and music education can make: “I’m the youngest of 4 and we didn’t have a lot of resources growing up. Had I not been given a trombone, I would not have been able to participate in the school band. At the time, I had no idea the impact that music was going to have on my life. Playing the trombone led to a scholarship which enabled me to earn both my BA and MA degrees. Having an instrument and being in school band can change a child’s life. It changed mine.”
In the last 5 years, the Symphonic Band has provided close to $300,000 in new and used instruments, summer band and college scholarships.
Irene Smith, a music educator at Highland Elementary in Lake Worth (and a volunteer saxophonist with the Symphonic Band) said, “Band class is often the highlight of the day for our students, a time where they can develop their musicianship and individual skills while being a valued member of a performing group. It takes a lot of resources to sustain a school band program. The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches helps fill some of those needs by providing new or used instruments, and the resources to pay for instrument repair, music lessons and other equipment.”
In early 2023, the Band established an Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation. With the limited arts funding in the School District, we are able to help more students and Band programs with instruments, instrument repair, education, scholarships and supplies.
For more information, please contact 561-832-3115 or symphonicbandpalmbeaches@hotmail.com
Symphonic Band Of The Palm Beaches Operational Reserve
The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches is a nonprofit community band comprised of extremely talented volunteer musicians from all corners of our communities. Founded by a group of Palm Beach High School band alumni in 1961, the band performs a wide repertoire of music – from classical and jazz to marches and Broadway hits. Proceeds from the band’s concerts benefit music students and school music programs in Palm Beach County.
Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches Philanthropy Reserve
The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches is a nonprofit community band comprised of extremely talented volunteer musicians from all corners of our communities. Founded by a group of Palm Beach High School band alumni in 1961, the band performs a wide repertoire of music – from classical and jazz to marches and Broadway hits. Proceeds from the band’s concerts benefit music students and school music programs in Palm Beach County.
