Band Plans Salute To Florida’s Cultural History
By Space Coast Daily // April 15, 2013
Free Public Events
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A free concert by the Melbourne Municipal Band, accompanied by a variety of exhibits and a raffle, will showcase 500 years of Florida’s history and cultural heritage as part of the state’s Viva Florida 500 celebration.
The events will be held Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17 at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. in Melbourne.
Exhibits and pre-show entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Titled Viva La Florida, the event will “celebrate all things Florida, from space to Spanish influences, stormy weather to folk music, and native plants to photography,” said Staci Cleveland, conductor. “We’ve been working on this for months now, and we’re so excited to be able to bring our patrons this wonderful evening, which highlights the history of our great state through music and special exhibits.”
Jan Hinton, composer of Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky), the state anthem, will be a special guest at the concert.
The band arrangement of Florida was written by Melbourne Municipal Band member Alan Moss, and will be sung by Robin Krasny, a member of the band and a native Floridian.
Other musical selections will include The Southerner, Overture Jubiloso, Jupiter, Stormy Weather, Trumpets Ole!, Council Oak, Rolling Thunder, Florida Suite, Heat Lightning March, The Wonderful World of Disney, and The Stars and Stripes Forever. Pre-show entertainment will be provided by the Harbor City Harmonizers.
Exhibits in the lobby will include Julian Leek, NASA and Florida landscape photographer; the Florida Native Plant Society; the Florida Historical Society, Florida Highwaymen paintings, and displays of pine baskets and Florida wines. These exhibits are still evolving, and there will be many other interesting things for concertgoers to see.
There will be a raffle during both evenings, for items such as baskets of gardening goodies donated by the Florida Native Plant Society, and a framed watercolor of the original Eau Gallie Yacht Club donated by local artist Dorothy Rhines.
The state’s Viva Florida 500 celebration is ongoing throughout 2013, and includes more than 200 events. The goal is to promote 500 years of Florida’s history – its people, places and cultural achievements – and this important milestone in American and Florida history.
This event is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Call 321-724-0555 or visit www.melbournemunicipalband.org for more information.
