Sinfonia Gulf Coast Launches Stellar 2024-2024 Season

Entering its 19th season, Sinfonia Gulf Coast continues its tradition of "redefining" the symphony experience. Led by Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller, the region’s only fully professional symphony orchestra aims to entertain, educate, and inspire the Northwest Florida Gulf coast. Sinfonia is elated to present a sensational lineup of concerts for the 2024-2025 season.

 

From the revolutionary talents of Grammy award-winning composer and harmonica player and pianist Howard Levy, to the powerhouse vocals of Emerald Coast fan-favorite Morgan James, to a beloved tribute to popular music’s most admired female icons, to a celebration of the holiday season with How the Grinch Stole Christmas Film In Concert featuring Jim Carey – there is something for everyone to enjoy this season.

 

“We are proud to offer an innovative and entertaining season of music and welcome everyone to come together to enjoy the magic of a shared live musical experience” says Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller. “We certainly hope knowing that proceeds from our events benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education programs, will make supporting our season even more rewarding.”

 

Season 19 will launch with the annual Sinfonia Cabaret at Seagar’s featuring award-winning Broadway star and television actress Alysha Umphress on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood in Miramar Beach. With impeccable vocals, magnetic storytelling, and contagious charisma, Umphress captivates. Her undeniable talent has been showcased in On the Town (Tony nomination), American Idiot (Grammy Award), Smokey Joe’s Café (Chita Rivera Award), and the world premiere of Beaches (Helen Hayes nomination). Tickets for An Evening with Alysha Umphress are from $395 per person and include valet parking, a sparkling wine reception, a multi-course meal prepared by Seagar's executive chef Fleetwood Covington, wine, and all gratuities.

 

The Catalyst Quartet will shine by candlelight this season in Luminescence: Catalyst by Candlelight on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the serene Seaside Chapel. Hailed by The New York Times at its Carnegie Hall debut as “invariably energetic and finely burnished… playing with earthy vigor,” the Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet, will redefine your classical music experience with a serene, intimate candlelit concert in the architecturally praised Seaside Chapel. With members Karla Donehew Perez (violin), Abi Fayette (violin), Paul Laraia (viola), and Karlos Rodriguez (cello), the Catalyst Quartet is known for its “perfect ensemble unity” and “unequaled class of execution.” Add this enchanting 30A concert to your fall calendar and join us with someone special for a memorable evening of live music. Tickets to this event are $65 per person.

 

Back by popular demand, Morgan James, a New York-based soul singer, songwriter, and Broadway star, is returning to the Sinfonia Gulf Coast stage to make our holidays bright with the Big Band Holiday Toast ‘n Jam (feat. Morgan James) at the Henderson Beach Resort on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. James has released five studio albums and toured across the globe, performing with her own band and renowned symphony orchestras. This festive performance will feature holiday favorites, Broadway tunes, standards from the American songbook, and original songs from James’ album A Very Magnetic Christmas. Celebrate the holiday season with an intimate evening of live music featuring the stunning, soulful vocals of Morgan James. Tickets are $125 per person ($195 for front row seats) and include an elegant brunch, valet, and gratuities. A full cash bar with Bloody Marys and Mimosas will also be offered.

 

The holiday magic continues with the Main Stage concert, The Grinch in Concert, on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach. Bring the entire family to remember exactly why Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas has become an enduring classic celebration of the holiday spirit. Sinfonia Gulf Coast will perform James Horner’s beloved film score from Ron Howard’s award-winning film live as movie magic unfolds on the screen. Don’t miss this beloved tale of the Whos, the Grinch, and his furry sidekick, Max, as they rediscover the true meaning of the season. This family-friendly film in concert is bound to grow your heart three whole sizes, just like the Grinch, himself. Tickets are $40-$65 per person.

 

Join Sinfonia Gulf Coast, featuring vocalists Alex Getlin, Carole J. Bufford, and Jessica Hendy, in a tribute to iconic female musicians with beloved tunes we all know and love in the Bette, Babs, & Beyond concert on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach. Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Cher, and Adele are among the legendary female icons honored in this thrilling concert event that salutes the women and the songs that have defined popular music for over six decades. From radio to movies, and Broadway to television, these ladies have done it all — and changed the world along the way. A trio of New York’s best voices will celebrate the stories these legends shared and the music they made including The Wind Beneath My Wings, Don’t Rain on My Parade, I Will Always Love You, Natural Woman, If I Could Turn Back Time, and more. Tickets are $40-$75 per person.

 

Prepare to be awed by the talents of Howard Levy, two-time Grammy award-winning pianist, diatonic harmonica player, and composer at the Classical Connections concert on Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Destin High School. By developing new techniques on the harmonica, Levy has transformed the instrument in its usage, making it multi-faceted among all genres of music. He has released two albums and a classical CD featuring his own composition, Concerto for Diatonic Harmonica and Orchestra, the first true concerto of its kind, which Sinfonia Gulf Coast premiered (U.S. Southeast) in 2009. Levy is a performer, composer, and educator whose technique book, Rhythms of the Breath has revolutionized the playing of the harmonica across the world. Additional repertoire to be announced. Tickets are $35 per person.

 

Sinfonia Gulf Coast will continue to “redefine” the symphony experience with the electrifying fusion of Tchaikovsky and Drake in an unforgettable performance on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach. Conceived and arranged by Steven Hackman, known for his imaginative and unexpected symphonic pairings, this piece masterfully blends the soaring compositions of Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky with 22 melodic songs of hip hop rapper Aubrey (Drake) Graham, redefining the boundaries of music in the 21st century. Joining the full symphony orchestra are three singers, a rapper, drummer, and bassist; the piece alternates between a romantic orchestral sound and a contemporary hip-hop/classical fusion. Get ready to be amazed by the unexpected dynamic music duo: Tchaikovsky X Drake. Tickets are $40-$65 per person.

 

Main Season concert ticket prices vary per event. Tickets range from $35 to $75 per person. 

Special savings for each concert offered to active-duty military and students with proper ID. Tickets for all Main Season concerts are now on sale. Sinfonia offers the convenience of purchasing and downloading tickets online or by calling 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 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, the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra program, Link Up concerts with third through fifth grades in participation with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute of Music, the Paint the Music Project, Arts in Medicine with Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, and more. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call (850) 460-8800. To learn how you can sponsor or volunteer, email Sinfonia at info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call (850) 460-8800. To make a donation, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org.