The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet will show its range in a charity concert Saturday evening.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published September 10, 2004
SPRING HILL - An evening of music by the principal brass players from the Florida Orchestra awaits patrons of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council's fifth annual Classical Elegance at Twilight on Saturday.
The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet - whose members include Robert Smith, Kenneth Brown, Justine LeBaron, Dwight Decker and William Mickelsen - has a long and lustrous history, dating back to 1979, when the ensemble was part of the former Florida Gulf Coast Symphony. Since that time, the group has made a name for itself, particularly for its holiday music.
"For us, the quintet is sort of a musical vacation of sorts," said Smith, who plays trumpet. "As players, we get a chance to shine a little, something that's rare when you're in a full orchestra."
The group's diverse repertoire reflects that. A little Mozart, a touch of Gershwin, perhaps even some Scott Joplin ragtime music, all of which seems to be aimed at appealing to both young and old tastes.
The event, the proceeds of which benefit the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, does not stop with music. A three-course dinner is on tap, prepared by the master chef at the Palace Grand.
Classical Elegance at Twilight begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, off U.S. 19 in Spring Hill. Tickets for the event are $55 per person and $100 per couple. For information or to purchase tickets call 797-7402.
