Southwest Florida Symphony fills in summer doldrums
With the summer doldrums steadfastly upon the area, the Southwest Florida Symphony has just the thing to fill in the down time.
Last year’s experimental “Summer Staycation” went so well for the Southwest Florida Symphony, that it was a no-brainer to try it again and this time will be even better.
The three-concert series, entitled All About Piano, will start Thursday, Aug. 25, at The Village Church at Shell Point, starting at 7:30 p.m. It will continue at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Friday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. and finish up at the brand new Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center in Bonita Springs Saturday, Aug. 27, at 8 p.m.
“We had our litmus test last year and people supported it,” said Southwest Florida Symphony executive director Amy Ginsburg. “We had no idea what to expect and it sold better than expected.”
The “Summer Staycation” will feature award-winning teenage pianist prodigy, Noah Waddell, who will perform three works for piano. They include: Eclogue for Piano and Strings by Gerald Finzi; Ernest Bloch Concerto Grosso No. 1, and Joseph Haydn Piano concerto in D.
Also on the program is the ever-popular Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by W.A. Mozart and Pizzicato Polka by Johann Strauss.
Ticket prices vary by location and can be purchased online at www.swflso.org or by visiting the Southwest Florida Symphony box-office at 8290 College Parkway, Suite 103 in Fort Myers, or by calling 239-418-1500.
Tickets can also be purchased at each venue at a modest price.
Having Waddell will certainly attract larger audiences, Ginsburg said.
Waddell has performed at concert halls, performing arts centers and churches. His “Noah’s Concert for the Kids” at BIG ARTS on Sanibel raised over $30,000 for the new Golisano Children’s Hospital for Southwest Florida.
“He is always a good draw,” she said. “He is our local child prodigy and we are certainly lucky to have him.”
The decision to try a concert series in the “dead” season came last year to try and fill that void, since there is very little going on in the classical music scene in the area.
It worked, as the series of concerts were well attended.
“We lamented there wasn’t anything going on this time of year in the performing arts,” Ginsburg said. “There are many people who stay and work here and are looking for something to do. It worked out well for us.”
The series also is an opportunity to introduce the Southwest Florida Symphony to people who otherwise have never attended one of its concerts.
“We had our diehards who attended last year, who also brought their friends, who have never been to one of our concerts,” Ginsburg said. “It’s a good introduction to us.”
Ginsburg is also excited about the upcoming season, which brings plenty of variety.
“We have an unbelievable season coming, we are certainly excited about it,” Ginsburg added.
For more information on the upcoming Southwest Florida Symphony season, go to their website at www.swflso.org/.