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Tag: Symphony on the Sand

Symphony salutes veterans

Symphony salutes veterans

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

BRADENTON BEACH – It was a feast for all five senses as hundreds gathered at Coquina Beach for the 2023 Symphony on the Sand.

The smell of gourmet food filled the air as the 45-piece Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO), under the accomplished baton of Maestro Alfred Gershfeld entertained the crowd with the backdrop that only a Gulf coast sunset can provide.

Symphony salutes veterans
Beachgoers may have not had the opportunity to enjoy the food and drinks that came with buying a ticket to this year’s Symphony on the Sand in Bradenton Beach, but they were welcome to dance on the beach while soaking in a beautiful sunset while enjoying the music. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

“This is literally the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and I’ve traveled the world,” said Lisa Stadtler, visiting the Island from New Jersey. “I asked my husband where the heck we were. This doesn’t even seem real. The weather is perfect, the sunset is stunning and this music is just amazing.”

The Nov. 11 event celebrated Veterans Day, and veterans were at the center of the show. Every table was adorned with American flags, and the AMICCO proudly played plenty of patriotic tunes to honor the many veterans in attendance. People danced in the white sand and waved flags as the music filled the air.

“America has its problems, but I think no matter how much we may disagree on politics or policy, we all agree our veterans are what have secured our place as the best country in the world,” Sam Crowder said. “We live over in Bradenton and try to never miss this. It rained last year, but this weather is just amazing; what a blessing.”

AMICCO postpones Symphony on the Sand 

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

The Board of Directors of the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO) has decided to postpone its Symphony on the Sand for this year after meeting regularly to examine its options considering the unique circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and its effect on the community.

In its eighth season, Symphony on the Sand has traditionally been held on Coquina Beach on the second Saturday each November. Recognized as one of the region’s premier musical events, it has been attended by more than 4,000 people annually.

“The board has been following the news closely as it relates to the safety and well-being of patrons, musicians and vocalists, as well as the surrounding community and audience members who have supported this successful event over the years,” board President James Stoltie said.

“Central to the conversation has been the health and well-being of everyone involved in the production of Symphony on the Sand. Many organizations and individuals work closely together to ensure that every performance is successful and better than the last. The rehearsal time invested by our orchestra and chorus members, along with the planning time of our service providers and volunteers, requires hours of commitment.

“AMICCO deeply values the relationships created with our community partners and as such we feel that moving forward with Symphony on the Sand 2020 would put all involved at increased and unnecessary risk. While we acknowledge that there are differing perspectives on the topic, we have nevertheless decided to err on the side of keeping our treasured talent, audience members, volunteers, sponsors and community partners safe. The AMICCO Board views the health and safety of our community as the most important factor and underlying priority, and it is in this spirit that we look forward to creating Symphony on the Sand in 2021 and beyond.”

Symphony on the Sand

Beach alive with sounds of music

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

BRADENTON BEACH – Clear skies, minimal red tide and the sounds of music from the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra (AMICCO) made for a perfect evening last Saturday. The all-inclusive tickets were sold out, but there was room for people to bring their own chairs and enjoy the music and purchase refreshments.

As the sun set, the crowd found seats and Bay News 9 Senior Anchor Al Ruechel welcomed everybody and gave credit to the many people who made the annual event successful. Symphony narrator Tom Aposporos introduced AMICCO Conductor Alfred Gershfeld, who retired this year but came back for this concert.

Then the beach came alive with a combination of patriotic, show tunes, opera and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” before intermission.

Afterward, the orchestra opened with the “El Capitan March,” a tribute to the Armed Forces, and “The Prayer.” Then came disco sounds and the audience members were on their feet, dancing and enjoying themselves.

During intermission, auctioneer Blake Kennedy took the microphone and sold off four raffle packages. The amount raised was unavailable at press time. The fifth prize was an opportunity to lead the orchestra with the baton. The bid was split and both bidders agreed to pay the last highest bid amount.

First to conduct was Brenda Brunelle and second to conduct were Mrs. Thomas A. Smith and Mary Bell who co-conducted, courtesy of the bid by Thomas Smith.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the turnout for the event and success of the sixth annual Symphony on the Sand this past Saturday,” said Jeanie Pickwick, who chaired the event steering committee. “The weather cooperated, the food was delicious, the music was unbelievable – with amazing highlights from guest vocalists, Michelle Giglio, Daniel Hoffman, Ashley Thunder Lowe and Russell Andrade. It was the perfect combination for a magical evening.”

The Anna Maria Oyster Bar provided waitstaff and the Sandbar, Harry’s Continental Kitchen, the Lazy Lobster, Hometown Desserts and the Coquina Beach Café supplied the food.

Symphony on the Sand is a collaboration of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, AMICCO and Manatee County. Sponsors include the Anna Maria Island Sun, the Bradenton Herald and public radio stations WUSF and WSMR.

“Many heartfelt thanks go out to our sponsors, the wonderful waitstaff, the Symphony on the Sand committee, Maestro Gershfeld for another incredible concert conducting the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, and most of all, our great and generous patrons,” said Pickwick.

symphony on the sand 2017

Symphony on the Sand nears

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Music.

BRADENTON BEACH – On Saturday, Nov. 10, the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra (AMICCO) will be seated under a giant tent to perform its sixth annual Symphony on the Sand, a musical and gourmet event from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on the beach at Coquina Gulfside Park, 2650 Gulf Drive S. The concert is a ticketed event held rain or shine.

The event brings together the beauty of the beach with the sounds of the chorus and orchestra and food from local servers. Attendees will enjoy small plates created by favorite local restaurants including a salad course, several entrée selections, and a delicious dessert with complimentary fine wine and select beers at $125 per ticket.

Other ticket options: $50 tickets for individual chairs without food, with vouchers for two drink coupons per ticket and a $20 option to bring your own chair or blanket to sit inside a roped-off area, closer to the stage. A cash bar and concessionaire food are available for $50 and $20 ticket purchasers. Purchasing tickets early is advised. Tickets are available at www.SymphonyOnTheSand.com. A portion of the proceeds goes to AMICCO.

Please remember that bringing alcoholic beverages onto the beach is prohibited.

The Anna Maria Island Sun is a sponsor of Symphony on the Sand.

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Symphony on the Sand

Symphony on the Sand preparations underway

symphony on the sand 2017

Symphony on the Sand preparations underway

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

BRADENTON BEACH – Tickets are on sale for the Sixth Annual Symphony on the Sand concert and gourmet food event at Coquina Beach on Saturday, Nov. 10. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.

Taking place at Coquina Gulfside Park, 2650 Gulf Dr. in Bradenton Beach, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., the open-air symphony concert on the beach will feature the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO) and vocal soloists Michelle Giglio, Ashley Thunder, Russell Andrade, and Daniel Hoffman.

“This year we’re going to do some great uplifting pieces. We’re going to do a bit of Mama Mia, and then we’re going to do some disco dance tunes, so there’ll be a lot of dancing. And we always have the patriotic pieces for our warriors, which we celebrate because it is Veterans Day weekend,” event chair Jeanie Pickwick said.

Regarding the dress code, Pickwick said, “You can dress up if you want, and a lot of people do but wear flip-flops because we are right on the beach in the sand. The tables and chairs and the general admission area where you bring your own chairs are right in the sand, so wear something you’ll be comfortable walking in.”

Those who purchase $125 tickets will be treated to salad, small plate entrée selections provided by participating restaurants, dessert, and complimentary fine wine and select beers.

The Beach|House, The Lazy Lobster of Longboat, Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Hometown Desserts and the Coquina Cafe at Coquina Beach are this year’s featured restaurants.

Tickets for this rain or shine event can be purchased online at www.SymphonyOnTheSand.com, and Pickwick advises folks to purchase their tickets early. Online tickets will be available until noon on Friday, Nov. 9. If not sold out, tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.

Those with $50 tickets receive a chair for the concert and two drink vouchers, but no food. Those with $20 tickets can bring their own chairs or blankets and sit in the roped-off area near the stage. Attendees with $50 or $20 tickets can purchase concessionaire food and purchase drinks at the cash bar. Bringing your own alcohol onto the beach is prohibited.

There will be plenty of free parking at Coquina Beach, and the free Island-wide trolleys will be running before and after the concert.

Pickwick began serving as the Symphony on the Sand event chair prior to the second annual outdoor concert.

“I really believe in it. I had been the executive director for AMICCO for over 10 years. I stepped down from that position, but I still handle this one event for the organization.

“It’s such a great event and we love doing it. It brings a lot of attention to the talent that we have in our area and it’s a great community outreach. It’s an honor to do it,” Pickwick said.

Manatee County is contributing $30,000 to help cover the costs of the stage, sound, and lighting, and what’s left will help pay the musicians’ stipends. Proceeds from the event will benefit AIMCCO’s youth and outreach programs.

Pickwick is still seeking additional event sponsors. Interested sponsors or those seeking additional event information can contact her by email at info@amicco.org or call 941-795-2370.