Sinfonia Gulf Coast Presents A Stellar Line-up of Artists And Concerts for 2018-2019 Season

Keeping the tempo at the forefront of the Emerald Coast’s cultural scene since its founding in 2005, Sinfonia Gulf Coast maintains the tradition of “symphony redefined” as it enters its 13th season. Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-Winner Jane Lynch Headlines Sinfonia’s Gala Event on Dec. 18.
 

The region’s only fully professional symphony orchestra led by Music and Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller, presents a stellar lineup of concerts and educational initiatives from classical masterpieces featured in the Classical Connections series, the annual holiday pops, a special tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway, to an animated finale featuring the zany characters of Steven Spielberg’s “Animaniacs.”
 

“Sinfonia proudly impacts all areas of our community with the highest caliber orchestral performances, award-winning guest artists, and the most innovative and comprehensive music education initiatives for K-12 students throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties,” stated Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller.

The season begins on a swingin’ high note at Grand Boulevard on Saturday, Sept. 29 with “Sinfonia Swings on the Boulevard,” and features the Joe Gransden Big Band with members of Sinfonia. This free community concert will include exciting big band music, dance demonstrations, lessons by members of Luna Ballroom, and open seating on the Grand Lawn between Cantina Laredo and Tommy Bahama. VIP tickets are available for those who wish to indulge in a VIP pre-concert reception, followed by a three-course meal with reserved seating on the Tommy Bahama Café patio or garden room. Limited VIP tickets are available for purchase on the Sinfonia website.

The first Classical Connections series concert, presented by Silver Sands Premium Outlets, features accordionist Hanzhi Wang on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Destin. Praised for her engaging stage presence and performances that are technically and musically brilliant, Hanzhi Wang is the first accordionist to win and join the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 57-year history of discovering extraordinary musicians. Ms. Wang will perform Piazzola’s “Concerto for Accordion-Aconcagua.” Also on the program are Jennifer Higdon’s “Dance Card,” and “Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tickets range from $29.50 to $45 per person.

Vocalist Chris Mann returns to the Sinfonia stage at Village Baptist Church on Friday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the annual Holiday Pops. Mann, whose crystalline voice garnered his place as a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice,” along with rave reviews in the lead role of the national touring production of “Phantom of the Opera,” and two PBS full-length concerts: “Chris Mann in Concert: A Mann for All Seasons” and “Home for Christmas,” will join forces with Sinfonia’s full orchestra for a most magical concert of the holiday season, perfect for the entire family. Tickets range from $29.50 to $55 per person.

Sinfonia’s annual gala event will be held on Tuesday, December 18 at The Henderson: A Beach & Spa Resort, and will feature singer/actress Jane Lynch. Lynch is an Emmy and Golden Globe-winner for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester on “Glee,” and is currently the two-time Emmy Award-winning host of NBC's “Hollywood Game Night.” For “A Swingin’ Little Christmas,” Jane brings along Kate Flannery (NBC’s “The Office”), Tim Davis (“Glee”), and The Tony Guerrero Quintet for the jazziest musical holiday concert you’ll ever experience. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes VIP pre-concert reception, dinner and the performance. Tickets range from $275 - $500 per person. Single tickets and tables of ten are available.

The second installment of the Silver Sands Premium Outlets’ Classical Connections Series will be on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Baptist Church and features 2016 recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant Alexi Kenney, one of the most exhilarating young violinists on the concert scene today. Kenney will perform Erich Korngold’s “Concerto for Violin, op. 35, D major”. Also on the program is the world premiere of the full orchestration of “Orchids Grow Here” by Dorothy Hindman and Antonin Dvořák’s masterpiece “Symphony No. 9, op. 95, E minor” (From the New World). Tickets range from $29.50 to $45 per person.

To continue the worldwide celebrations of the Leonard Bernstein centennial in 2018, Sinfonia teams up with Broadway star and recording artist Morgan James, star of the concert stage, screen and Broadway, Nicholas Rodriguez, and Bernstein’s oldest daughter Jamie, to feature the best of Bernstein’s timeless concert and Broadway masterpieces including: “West Side Story,” “On the Town,” and “Candide”. Bernstein’s oldest daughter, Jamie, will serve as host for the evening. Tickets range from $29.50 to $55 per person for this performance on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Baptist Church in Destin.

On Friday, May 17, 2019, the main season will come to an animated finale at the Emerald Coast Convention Center with ANIMANIACS LIVE! In Concert. Emmy-winners Randy Rogel and Rob Paulsen team up with Sinfonia’s orchestra as they perform songs from Steven Spielberg’s hit show, which will cause you to laugh all of the way out the door with its ZANY-ANIMANY-INSANY-FUN! Whether you know the show, love animation, or just enjoy live musical experiences, this is a not-to-miss experience for the entire family.  The performance starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets range from $29.50 to $45 per person. All tickets for children under the age of 18 are $15 for this performance.

The season comes to an official close with Sinfonia Goes Pops!, presented al fresco on the amphitheater lawn at Alys Beach at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, 2019. This patriotic, family-friendly concert is free and open to the public and concludes with a festive fireworks display.

Tickets for all performances are now on sale. Season subscriptions offer a discounted price per ticket and enable patrons to compose their own package of three to five concerts, not including the gala event. Student tickets to main season concerts are $10 per ticket, unless otherwise noted. Patrons must call the box office for the active duty military discounted ticket program sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union. Sinfonia conveniently offers the ability to purchase and print tickets online. Use the free Sinfonia Gulf Coast mobile app for Apple and Android devices and store mobile tickets in Walletini or Apple Wallet, or call the box office at (850) 460-8800.

As the region’s only fully professional symphony orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast is committed to presenting high-caliber events and providing much-needed educational initiatives throughout the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast region. Proceeds from the all events benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education programs, which include musicians/guest artists in schools, free orchestra concerts, bus transportation for students, Sinfonia Youth Orchestra program, Arts in Medicine with Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, LINK UP concerts with third through fifth grades in participation with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute of Music, the annual Paint the Music Project and more.

The 2018-2019 season is made possible by the generous support from individuals, local businesses and media partners. Presenting Sponsor for the 2018-2019 season is Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Presenting Concerts Sponsor is Hancock Bank. Classical Connections Presenting Sponsor is Silver Sands Premium Outlets. Presenting Media Sponsor is Vie Magazine. Presenting E-media Sponsor is SoWal.com. Presenting Accommodations Sponsor is Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and Presenting Discounted Military Tickets Sponsor is Eglin Federal Credit Union.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to SinfoniaGulfCoast.org and call (850) 460-8800. Email questions to info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org. For information on volunteer opportunities, contact Elaine Tucker at (850) 460-8800 or email ETucker@SinfoniaGulfCoast.org.  Follow Sinfonia Gulf Coast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Join us and be a part of the conversation using #SinfoniaGulfCoast.