Artists Take Many Stages with Sinfonia Gulf Coast

As the lights dim, the bustle of the audience subsides, while the orchestra tunes and guest artist and conductor walk out to begin the performance. This is what you'd expect from a normal evening at the symphony. This certainly rings true with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, our region’s only fully professional symphony. However, part of the attraction of Sinfonia are the variety of offerings presented each season.

Entering its seventh season of innovative, imaginative and inspiring programming, Sinfonia continues to redefine the symphony experience. Founder and Music Director Demetrius Fuller likens Sinfonia to “one-stop symphony shopping.”

“Sinfonia truly has something for everyone. From chamber music to chamber orchestra to full orchestra, featuring classical masterworks and pops concerts for the entire family," says Fuller. "Our concerts and events run the musical gamut of the highest quality programming, not to mention stellar guest artists from around the globe.”

The sold-out crowd at Seagar’s was treated to a culinary and musical feast in Sinfonia’s season kick-off: “A New Orleans Jazz Cabaret featuring Jeremy Davenport.”

On October 4th, Sinfonia kicked off its new season in style with a cabaret event featuring New Orleans Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Jeremy Davenport and his band, at Seagar’s Prime Steak and Seafood.  Incredible guest artists are synonymous with Sinfonia.  Jeremy Davenport was featured on all of Harry Connick Jr.’s six world tours, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, and in the pages of GQ, Forbes, and People magazines. As incredible an evening as it was, Sinfonia requests each guest artist to make themselves available for educational outreach in schools throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties, special seminars at regional library branches, and the newest initiative in partnership with Sacred Heart Hospital, Arts in Medicine.

Jeremy Davenport and his band at Sacred Heart Hospital for Sinfonia’s Arts in Medicine partnership.

“Education is not limited to the classroom and Sinfonia’s mission transcends through any and all opportunities to fulfill this objective,” said Sinfonia Education Coordinator and board member Sherry Londe. “We are looking forward to a wonderful season of presenting music “off” of the Sinfonia stage so that everyone can experience the great work that Sinfonia is doing throughout our community and the region.”

More than 500 second and third graders at Butler Elementary benefitted from Sinfonia’s Music and Guest Artists in the Schools initiative. Jeremy Davenport had them singing and dancing and answering questions about music in no time!

For more information, please contact Sinfonia at 850-269-7229 or www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org.