Band History

The Broward Symphonic Band

On September 6, 1960, Broward Junior College opens its doors to the first class of 701 students.  The Central Campus, home for the Broward Symphonic Band, opened its doors to students in August of 1963.  Since that time, the college has continued to grow and expand meeting the needs of more than 68,000 students, including the transformation from Broward Community College to Broward College, with baccalaureate programs added to meet specific needs of the community.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Broward College has been an important part of the college since its doors opened in 1960.  The Concert Band, known as the “The Broward Symphonic Band”, is an important musical link between the Visual & Performing Arts Department, Broward College, and the community at large.  The Band is unique, serving a dual purpose as a credit class offered by the Visual & Performing Arts Department for music majors and the general student population, as well as a Community Band providing an outlet for countless numbers of community members.

History of the Band prior to the 70’s is vague and incomplete.  Dale Jensen was the founder of the Broward Concert Band in 1966, followed by David Snively from approximately 1968 to 1973.  Fred Humphreys, a Past President of the Florida Bandmasters Association and Hall of Fame member, held the position of Music Director in the mid 70’s, followed by Michael Lisena from the Fall of 1977 to the Spring of 1979.  Dr. Malcolm “Mike” Black, a full-time faculty member at the college, took over as Music Director for the band from the Fall of 1979 until the Fall of 1998.  It was during this period that the Band converted to a Community Band meeting during the evening hours.  Dr. George Sparks, former Director of Bands at Florida Atlantic University, directed the band from the Winter Term of 1998 until the Fall Term of 1998.  Dr. John Southall, current Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music Education at Indian River State College, took over from the Spring Term of 1999 until the Spring Term of 2000.  The current Director of Music for The Broward Symphonic Band, Neil Jenkins, was hired in the Fall Term of 2000, while serving as band director at J. P. Taravella High School, and has conducted the group since that time.

During the initial years under the direction of current director, Neil Jenkins, members of the Wind Symphony of South Florida, formerly directed by Mark Humphreys, joined forces with The Broward Symphonic Band, helping to lay the foundation of what has become a significant Community Band program in South Florida.  Membership in the Band is open to all college students, community adults, and select high school students.  The band meets weekly at the Broward College Central Campus and performs three to four Concerts per year in the Ralph Bailey Concert Hall.  Membership in the band, prior to 2020, had grown over the years from approximately 54 members in 2000, to nearly 100 members pre COVID.  The goals of the BSB are to not only meet the needs of aspiring music education majors, but to also provide its audiences with entertaining concerts, plus challenge the member musicians with a variety of wind band literature, both current or from a long list of standard and significant music selections.

With the onset of the COVID pandemic, the band was forced to cancel their Spring Concert planned for April 2020.  With the start of the new academic calendar in August 2020, the band was reorganized by forming a Woodwind Choir, Brass Choir, and Percussion Ensemble, utilizing those members willing to come together under strict health protocols approved by Broward College.  Being the “hotbed” for COVID outbreaks in South Florida at that time made this task challenging in many respects.  In October 2020, the performing arts stage and concert hall at Broward College was made available for rehearsals.  With this additional rehearsal venue, the current Wind Ensemble was formed with approximately 45 members.  Three concerts were presented in 2020 & 2021 using a Virtual format provided by the college.  On April 11, 2022, the new 55 member Broward Symphonic Band presented their first live concert to an appreciative audience.  Performing groups included the Woodwind Choir, Brass Choir, Percussion Choir, and the Wind Ensemble.

The Broward Symphonic Band has been a proud member of the Association of Concert Bands since 2008, with the original membership established by the late John Edmondson.  The band was selected to perform at the 2017 National ACB Convention held in Ft. Lauderdale and most recently, the 2023 National ACB Convention held in Orlando.