Bio: Clif Swanson
Head of the Music Department at Cal Poly from 1984 to 1996 and then again from 1999 to 2004, Clifton Swanson has played an important role in the musical scene of San Luis Obispo since joining the faculty in 1967. During his tenure as department head, the music program achieved accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music and Cal Poly’s music graduates have distinguished themselves in many areas from teaching and performance to graduate studies and research.
Clifton Swanson founded the Cal Poly Chamber Orchestra in 1967 and conducted the San Luis Obispo Symphony from 1972 to 1984. As a teacher he has received the President’s Award for contributions to the Arts in San Luis Obispo County and the School of Engineering’s Award for the Outstanding Professor in the School of Liberal Arts. He is currently also highly involved in the University’s London Study Program where he spends the fall quarter each year.
One of the original founders of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, Mr. Swanson was its Music Director and principal conductor for 34 years, helping it to grow from three concerts on a weekend in early August, 1971, to an extensive program of concerts, fringe events and lectures. During the course of those years, San Luis Obispo has been host to some of the world’s finest conductors, soloists, chamber ensembles and scholars.
He is also an active bass player and was Principal Bass of the San Luis Obispo Symphony for 19 years.
In 2004, Mr. Swanson retired from Cal Poly; however he continues to oversee Cal Poly’s fall offering of the London Study Program and to teach String Bass for the department. In 2005, he stepped down as Music Director of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival but continues as Music Director Emeritus. With his newly found free time, he is actively involved in the landscaping of the family property in Squire Canyon, estimated to be a 10-year project.
Clifton Swanson is married to Jane Swanson, retired 5th grade teacher for the Lucia Mar School District, Principal Horn of the San Luis Obispo Symphony, member of the Mozart Festival Orchestra, and peace activist for the past 35 years. They attended and have degrees from Pomona College, University of Texas, and UCLA.
They have two children; Erika Norris who lives in Colorado with her husband and six children, and Christopher Swanson who is living in Los Angeles with his new wife, Sayoko, and teaches English and is active as a free-lance violinist.
