NEWS RELEASE
The Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra celebrated the beginning of its 10th Anniversary season with a concert on Sunday, February 25 at 2:00pm in the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th Street, Vero Beach FL, 32960. A silent online auction was also held via live video on the Orchestra’s Facebook page.
Welcoming announcements by Mr. Paul Becker were followed by recognition of the Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra’s founder, Mr. Thomas Fritz. “We would not be here, were it not for Tom.” Becker continued, “He is remarkably generous and hardworking, and really made all of this possible.” Fritz was given a gift and a standing ovation by the Orchestra members in appreciation for his ten years of dedicated service. He also acknowledged the outstanding leadership by Music Director, Colbert Page Howell, and the leadership among the organization. “We have come so far in both excellence and reputation,”, said Fritz, “and that is a tribute to each and every one of you.”
The highlight of the performance featured flute soloist Judi Lampert, performing Georges Hue’s Fantaisie for Flute and Orchestra. Originally commissioned as an ‘end of the year’ exam piece for the Paris Conservatory in 1913, it has become a popular addition to the solo flute repertoire. “It was an honor to be able to play it,” said Lampert, whose rendition featured the elegance and flexibility appropriate to the late Romantic French style in which it was written. The concert also included Beethoven’s Overture to Fidelio and Symphony No. 1 in Bb Major, Op 38, “Spring” by Robert Schumann.
Up for auction was a beautiful 19th Century Industrialist-inspired violin art piece created and donated by local artist Sheila Lougheed. The audience was entertained during intermission by a live video projected on the screen in the auditorium. The video, which can be found on the Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra’s Facebook page (@VCBOINC), featured interviews with Judi Lampert and Sheila Lougheed. Live updates on the progress of the auction were also given. The violin sold for $250.00 to Mr. John Willmott. Proceeds from the sale of the violin art piece went directly toward the Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra and its continued collaboration with the Vero Beach High School Orchestral program.
The final concert of the season will include Piano Concerto No. 2 by Camille Saint-Saens, featuring Dr. Marcos Daniel Flores at the piano. Another artist’s violin, and possibly more art pieces, will be auctioned off at this concert as well. It will be on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at 2:00pm at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. Admission is free; donations are encouraged.
The Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra, directed by Colbert Page Howell, was formed to provide for the cultural enrichment of Indian River County by presenting two free concerts each year. The group is composed of an assortment of local musicians, ranging from high school students to seasoned professionals.
For more information, please contact Ginger Lagemann, Information Coordinator for the Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra, at VBCOinformation@gmail.com, or visit our website, http://www.verobeachchamberorchestra.org.
Indian River Guardian 
Nice post. I’ve been attending the Bach Festival Society here, but I’d like to see the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra here. In Slidell by New Orleans, I used to watch the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at the end of each school year with a featured, probably usually Russian, pianist, like you too tho. It’s interesting we happen to live nearby. I’m following an orchestra in Germany, as well, which I will fly to see in NYC for my birthday. It’s interesting how different orchestras can be. It’s good to network on social media like this or on Facebook maybe. People tend to post pictures on Facebook, and I’ve seen concert pictures on Twitter. Thanks for posting this interesting post!