Everblades performance to serve as fundraiser for Seahorse Chorale
The Sanibel School’s Seahorse Chorale will perform for the first time at a Florida Everblades game, and a portion of the ticket sales will help fund the group’s upcoming trip to Walt Disney World.
On Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Everblades will take on the Jacksonville Icemen at the Hertz Arena in Estero. The Seahorse Chorale, comprised of sixth- through eighth-graders – along with the school’s elementary choir, made up of third- through fifth-graders – is set to perform the national anthem.
“There’s a lot of excitement around the school for the Everblades game,” Joey Giangreco, director of the school’s Music Department, said. “It will be something different and exciting for the kids, so they’re really looking forward to it. It’s a big performance venue.”
Tickets to the game are $18, with $8 of each to help fund the Seahorse Chorale’s trip to Disney to perform on Dec. 7. In order to support the cause, however, tickets must be purchased via the website www.floridaeverblades.com/SanibelNight using the promo code: SANIBELSCHOOL – all caps.
Tickets also must be purchased no later than Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Giangreco came up with the idea while researching fundraiser-performance opportunities.
“It is something fun that we thought we would try this year,” he said. “This is the first time that we have done a fundraiser and a performance at an Everblades game.”
Giangreco noted that the Everblades were generous in helping to set up the event.
“We’re very grateful to the Everblades for this opportunity,” he said. “We’re looking forward to having a fun night.”
The Seahorse Chorale is made up of 20 middle-schoolers, and the elementary choir has about 25 youths. While the younger children will perform at the game, only the older ones will go to Disney.
“They’re going to be performing on the Marketplace Stage at Disney Springs,” Giangreco said.
He explained that the Sanibel group, along with others, are given the opportunity to perform as part of Disney’s performing arts program. Acts can send in an application and audition tape to be selected.
“They really liked our group,” he said of the Seahorse Chorale.
While offered the opportunity to perform, there are costs associated with the commitment, including round-trip bus transportation and the price of the park tickets, in addition to a performance fee.
“The per student cost is $255,” Giangreco said. “Our goal is to raise a good portion of the funds to support the students’ trip costs – to supplement part of that, or at least a good portion of that.”
Last school year’s Seahorse Chorale performed at Disney in February.
“It was the group’s first time. It was a great experience for the both the children and myself,” he said, adding that the students wanted to do it again this year. “It was an experience we will not forget.”
Giangreco noted that they have been practicing and preparing.
“The Seahorse Chorale has been working very hard for their Disney trip, as well as their other performances,” he said. “I’m so proud of them for all the hard work they’ve put in.”
At Disney, the group will perform six songs in total.
They include: “We Will,” by Jim Papoulis; “Homeward Bound,” by Marta Keen and arranged by Jay Althouse; “Pompeii,” arranged by Jacob Narverud; “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burnin’,” arranged by Greg Gilpin; “We’re All In This Together,” from “High School Musical” and arranged by Alen Billingsley; and “This Is Me,” from “The Greatest Showman” and arranged by Mac Huff.
“We’re performing a wide variety of genres,” Giangreco said.
The community is encouraged to pick up game tickets and help support the cause.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these kids,” he said. “Some of them have never been to Walt Disney World before, and for a lot of them this is their first time performing at Disney.”
“It’s an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” Giangreco said.
For the Everblades game, it will also be mascot Swampee’s birthday so the first 3,000 youth to enter the arena will receive a Swampee Growth Chart. In addition, children ages 12 and under eat free at the Breakaway Sports Pub with the purchase of an adult entree.
For those who want to support the Seahorse Chorale but are not interested in attending the game, donations can be made directly to the school. Checks can be made out to The Sanibel School for the Seahorse Chorale, with cash also accepted. The school is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
“Music has the ability to impact someone’s life, and it could be a student in the group or a member of the audience,” he said. “If they’re able, we thank them for their support either at the Everblades game or through a donation.”
For more information, call 239-472-1617 or email JosephAG@LeeSchools.net.
The Hertz Arena is at 11000 Everblades Parkway.