Thursday (9/29) on Tamba Bay Online, Cloe Cabrera reports, “The first Florida Orchestra musicians will head to Cuba today as part of a multi-year cultural exchange with the island nation. Members of the principle winds ensemble will fly out of Tampa International Airport at 1:30 p.m. taking with them music accessories collected during a summer instrument drive. ‘This is only the first phase of the exchange,’ said Sherry Powell, marketing director for the Florida Orchestra. ‘(The musicians) will only be taking what they can fit into their suitcases on this trip.’ Those items include 10 classical guitar strings, 15 boxes of clarinet reeds, trumpet mouthpieces, violin chins, shoulder rests, instrument care kits, and more. The larger instruments, such as violins, saxophones, flutes, trumpets and French horns, will be delivered to Cuba sometime in early 2012, Powell said. … The Florida Orchestra has been collecting instruments and accessories to take to Cuba all summer long with help from Sam Ash Music Stores. … The musicians will be in Cuba through Oct. 2 meeting with Cuban musicians, teaching master classes and performing concerts.”
Posted September 29, 2011
