The Tom and Julie Schmidt Endowed Chair, Piano
Rachel Clifton is a charter member and pianist of the First Coast Wind Symphony and has served as Board Secretary. She extends heartfelt thanks to Tom and Julie Schmidt for their continuing support of the organization and its mission by establishing the Endowed Chair for Piano. She has performed as a collaborative pianist in Northeast Florida concerts for many years, including recitals with musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony, the St. Augustine Music Festival, the San Marco Chamber Music Series and in concert at JU and UNF. Rachel performed with clarinetists at six conferences of the International Clarinet Association and served as a collaborative pianist for several Buffet-Crampon Summer Clarinet Academies. She can be heard with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on their CD recording of Carmina Burana.
A champion of excellence in music education, Rachel has served as a clinician for the Diocese of St. Augustine and conductor of the Diocesan Choral Festival. Choral groups under her direction have appeared twice in Carnegie Hall, in concert at the Kennedy Center, and in nineteen appearances by audition at Disney's Epcot Candlelight Processional. She was recognized for contributions to the City of Jacksonville at the 2022 EVE Awards.