Southwest Civic Winds was founded in 2012 by
Dr. Mark Walters, retired Director of Bands at Fort Lewis College,
and long-time leader in music education, Ruth Katzin
of Katzin Music & Studios.
Ruth M. Katzin, Co-Founder
Southwest Civic Winds
VISION
The Southwest Civic Winds is a community band made up of about 50 players from throughout the Four Corners. We perform two symphonic concert series each season, along with free outdoor community concerts in summer. Concerts are held throughout the Four Corners, including Durango, Bayfield, Cortez, and northern New Mexico.
The Southwest Civic Winds continues from a long tradition of community bands. Early immigrants
from Europe brought with them their custom of village band music. From this, military and community
bands were formed all across the United States. Today, there are an estimated 2,500 such bands throughout the country, including the Four Corners area. You can find updated information about all of our
concerts and tickets HERE.
The Southwest Civic Winds couldn’t exist without our regular donors and concert attendees.
Our 501c3 nonprofit organization is 100% volunteer-based. Would you consider a donation to perpetuate
these community performances? Click HERE to donate.
Our Mission
The mission of the Southwest Civic Winds is to provide a cultural resource that offers a musical program of the highest standard so that area musicians may rehearse and perform quality wind band literature for audiences to enjoy at very affordable prices.
The Southwest Civic Winds is proud to be preserving the rich heritage that community bands have long provided by entertaining the general public through live performances and by serving as a source of cultural pride for citizens of the Four Corners.
We enrich the lives of adult musicians in the towns we serve by providing them with an opportunity to use and develop their musical talent as part of a cohesive ensemble, and with the satisfaction of performing the finest in symphonic band repertoire.
While many members of the Southwest Civic Winds are professional musicians and music educators from across the Four Corners region, this band is an all-volunteer, membership organization. Members perform for the pleasure of making music for the community where they live and work. Many concerts also feature side-by-side student musicians.