FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 2, 2007) – The schedule for Shell Point Retirement Community’s sixth annual Fine and Performing Arts Concert Series of 2007/2008 has been announced by Dawn Boren, director of resort services for Shell Point Retirement Community.
The series will feature five concerts including:
- Roger Williams – Thursday November 15, 2007 at 7:30pm
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Thursday January 17, 2008 at 7:30pm
- The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra – Thursday February 28, 2008 at 7:30pm
- Christopher Parkening & Jubilant Sykes – Thursday March 27, 2008 at 7:30pm
- Kirk Whipple & Marilyn Morales performing with the Unconservatory Festival Orchestra – Thursday April 17, 2008 at 7:30pm
“Our residents appreciate the arts and cultural choices available in our community,” said Boren. “Each year, as we expand our series, it adds to the musical offerings for the residents of Shell Point and the surrounding area. Our line up this year includes a broad array of musical styles and should prove to be quite popular.”
Tickets for the concerts are $25 each, or a season ticket of all five concerts can be purchased for $100, for a savings of $25. Tickets are currently on sale. To purchase tickets or receive additional information about the concert series, please call (239) 454-2067 for payment information on individual or group packages.
Shell Point Retirement Community is a continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers off Summerlin Road, just two miles before the Sanibel causeway. Shell Point is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry.
The Concert Schedule:
November 15, 2007 – 7:30 p.m. Roger Williams
With over 18 Gold and Platinum albums to his credit, Roger Williams is the greatest selling pianist of all time and has been named “King of the Arpeggios.” His show-stopping piano magic delights audiences around the globe. “Williams’ classic technique with richly developed jazz sensibilities created a singular sound that allowed the piano to speak to millions in a new way. The result is an everlasting vernacular experience to a spiritual level.” Roger Williams burst onto the popular music scene in 1955 when he recorded the only piano instrumental to ever have reached #1 on the Billboard Singles Charts – Autumn Leaves. His version became an American classic and still stands as the greatest selling piano record of all time. Williams followed with more million-selling records. Born Free, The Impossible Dream, Til, Almost Paradise, Maria, Lara’s Theme from Dr. Zhivago, and the theme from Somewhere in Time, are only some of his 22 hits spanning four different decades.
January 17, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, this music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit.
February 28, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra is increasingly recognized as one of the top regional orchestras in the United States. Under the baton of Jorge Mester, music director/conductor, this concert will include Respighi’s The Birds, Vaughn William’s Concerto in A Minor for Oboe and Strings (with soloist Judy Christy, principal Oboist), and Beethoven’s Symphony #4 in B Flat Major, Opus 60.
March 27, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. Christopher Parkening & Jubilant Sykes
Christopher Parkening is celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. The New York Times described his playing as “so intelligent, sensitive and adept that one can forget everything but the music.” Jubilant Sykes, a classically trained baritone, has created a diverse and personal approach to singing by bringing a modern flavor to classical sounds. Much in demand as a soloist, he has performed with some of the world’s finest symphonies and opera companies including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, Houston Grand Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.
April 17, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. Kirk Whipple & Marilyn Morales performing with The Unconservatory Festival Orchestra
As a duo, pianists/composers Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales have performed at venues throughout the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, Spain, and throughout the Caribbean. They have recorded a number of CDs, appeared on television and radio, and published a book of one piano/four hand holiday arrangements for beginning pianists, entitled “Christmas Treasures.” Their program includes: Bach’s Concerto in C Major for Two Pianos and Strings, and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.
