In Monday’s (9/19) St. Petersburg Times (Florida), John Fleming writes, “Are you ready for some hockey with the Florida Orchestra? When the Tampa Bay Lightning plays at the St. Pete Times Forum this season, it will take the ice to Be the Thunder, the team’s new theme music played on a recording by the orchestra. ‘We do very pronounced introductions in our building,’ Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke said. ‘We wanted some music that was emotional and stirring, something that excited the fans. This piece and the video that accompanies it will be about the beauty inherent in the bay area and the energy and power and speed of hockey, and it will lead to the player introductions. We think it’s going to be cool.’ … Los Angeles-based composer Gregory Smith was commissioned by the Lightning to write the piece, which runs about 2 1/2 minutes. ‘I’ve written music for other professional sports teams before, but never specifically for a symphony orchestra,’ said Smith. … The improbable alliance between NHL team and symphony orchestra began about six months ago with a chance encounter at an event between Leiweke and Susan Betzer, a St. Petersburg physician and longtime orchestra trustee. … On Oct. 19, the orchestra will perform a free educational youth concert at the Times Forum, underwritten by the Lightning.”
Posted September 19, 2011
