2015 WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR
THE FIRST BRASS OF SARASOTA
Some Highlights:
- We were recognized by the Sarasota Music Club for “Outstanding Contributions to Music Education and Performance” and given a monetary award.
- We were chosen by the Sarasota County Arts and Cultural Alliance to receive a grant of our “Music4All” project. This project brings music to the folks that are not able to come to concerts.
- We participated in the Community Foundation’s Giving Challenge. YOU were so generous with your donations and The Patterson Foundation matched your gifts. Together we raised over $5,000.
The First Brass ensembles performed:
- “A Brassy New Year” at Lakeside Lutheran in Venice
- “Mardi Gras” with Sharon Scott at First United Methodist Church in Sarasota”
- “Duex Requiems” with Musica Sacra Cantorum at Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota”
- “9th Annual Memorial Day Show” with the Jacobites at Church of the Palms.
- “Around the World in 80 Minutes” at Pine Shores Presbyterian in Sarasota
- “Sizzlin’ September Brass” at The Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota
- “OktoberBrass” at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church in Bradenton
- “Sounds of Freedom” with Ring Sarasota and the choirs of Church of the Palms for the concert
- At the annual fundraiser at the Senior Friendship Center in Sarasota.
In addition to shows, we participated in church services, including Siesta Key Chapel, St. Boniface Episcopal, Venice Presbyterian, St. Patrick Catholic, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, St. Wilfred’s Episcopal and Church of the Nativity.
We can’t pick a favorite because they were all so fabulous and different. However, one event stands out right away because of it’s uniqueness and meaningfulness. It was quite a treat to gather 45 trumpets for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of “Victory Over Japan” day at the Patroit Plaza at the Sarasota National Cemetery, under the direction of Danny Bilyeu.
We were honored to provide soloist and other small groups throughout the area for weddings, memorial services, golf tournaments, parties, church worship services and (wait for it) a dedication of new restroom facilities in a park on Anna Maria Island. These events include a variety of instrumentation from bagpipes to tubas, in venues from Sun City Center to North Port.
What a great year and we owe our success to all of you, our fans and family. Thank you!
We wish you and your family have a joy filled Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2016. We hope to see you at show soon.
Gary Reinstrom Nance Guth
Artistic Director Executive Director
and
all of the First Brass Musicians
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