Bringing music to our community

San Juan Symphony Orchestra (SJSO)

SJSO is a semi-professional orchestra whose members come from this region (Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado), and perform concerts in both Durango and Farmington, New Mexico. SJSO typically performs four subscription concerts annually. The music department supports this organization by providing free facilities, orchestral music, and upper division string students who are admitted into the ensemble through audition. Several faculty members hold principal positions in the ensemble, and faculty have also recently served as the Musician’s Representative to the Board of Directors.

 

Artist in Residence Program

Our Artists in Residence program is a joint venture that involves the Fort Lewis College Foundation, current music faculty, and community volunteers. An endowment has been established that has grown to well over $100,000. Funding for the program comes from the endowment’s interest. This entity presents a variety of concerts and master classes by guest artists designed to enhance the musical education of Fort Lewis students and younger students from the Four Corners Region. These artists typically either perform or present, give a masterclass, and interact with students and community members at events designed to bolster recruiting efforts.

 

Music in the Mountains

Music in the Mountains is a nonprofit that annually presents festival orchestra and chamber concerts in and around Durango.

We collaborate with Music in the Mountains on a number of educational activities throughout the year that are targeted towards engaging elementary students and advocating for music.

 

Southwest Civic Winds (SWCW)

The Southwest Civic Winds is a diverse group of musicians with the shared goal of keeping the culture of symphonic bands alive in the Four Corners community. Established and conducted in 2012 by Fort Lewis College Director of Bands, Mark Walters, the SWCW presently has an average of 60 performers at each concert. The SWCW offers side-by-side performance opportunities for area high school student musicians. The SWCW provides the community with a professional, mature, nurturing environment for musicians who contribute their time and talents.

 

Music Teachers National Association (4CMTA)

Founded in 2013, the Fort Lewis College Music Department and faculty contributed to the formation of the group and to its community outreach projects in a myriad of ways.

  • The Fort Lewis College allows the 4CMTA to use its facilities at no-cost, allowing many programs and festivals such as the Young Artists Festival, the Student Merit Program, and the Duet and Ensemble Festival, all which involve students and teachers from the community.
  • Many of the faculty adjudicate for the 4CMTA festivals, such as the Young Artists Festival which involved over 150 young musicians from the community.
  • Faculty members regularly lecture and provide programs for the 4CMTA, and one faculty member serves on the board and as the 4CMTA historian.
  • Many of the faculty help run, teach, and perform with young community pianists participating in the Fort Lewis College Piano Academy, which is sponsored in part by the 4CMTA.

Become a Music Major:

Learn about the application process

Apply now to become a Music Major or a Music Minor at Fort Lewis College.