The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra under the direction of Lorraine Marks-Field is preparing for its Sunday, March 23 performance, Harmony Across Generations, showcasing the noteworthy collaboration of musicians of all ages.
“This unique concert will celebrate the power of music to bridge generations, uniting diverse age groups to create a harmonious experience that is both inspiring and memorable,” said Lorraine Marks-Field, the orchestra’s founder and conductor.
Made up of talented musicians ranging from seasoned professionals to young, aspiring artists, the group will perform a diverse program of classical and contemporary pieces. The concert aims to highlight the beauty of intergenerational collaboration, proving that music is a universal language that transcends age and brings people together.
The production, said Marks-Field, is a memorial performance for Fern Spott, “mother of board member Dr. Roger Spott, who was one of our favorite benefactors and audience members,” she said.
“We are excited to present a concert that demonstrates the strength and vitality of intergenerational collaboration,” added Marks-Field. “This performance will not only showcase the incredible talent of our members but will also emphasize the importance of fostering connections across generations through the shared love of music.”
One of the selections to be performed at the afternoon event is “To Change the World,” composed by orchestra pianist, Bob Field, husband of the orchestra’s founder. The tune was featured in the just-released documentary “Two Heads are Better than One,” a production for which Field composed the full score.
The specially produced film has a major local connection. It chronicles the conversations about peace and tolerance that took place between Benjamin erencz, the last surviving chief prosecutor from the post-World War II Nuremberg Trials, and Yaacov Heller, a renowned artist and sculptor from Boca Raton.
Ferencz, who was about 100 years old at the time of his association with Heller, spent many hours working with and talking with the Boca artist. Their conversations inspired Heller to create a bust of the famous prosecutor. The original bust, one of three, now resides in the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
One of the other two busts will be on display in the church hall at the concert.
The Heller/Ferencz conversations and the artist’s work on the bust became grist for the documentary which can now be seen on Amazon Prime, Apple Music, YouTube and other platforms. It was produced by Eric Kline, an orchestra sponsor and local resident.
Ferencz, a frequent visitor to Boca Raton during the latter part of his life, died April 7, 2023, at the age of 103.
Other selections set to be performed during the concert include “You Raise Me Up,” a song made famous by a number of performers, including Josh Groban; “Ashokan Farewell,” a tune taken from Ken Burns’ documentary about the Civil War’ and “Bring Him Home,” a touching ballad from the musical, “Les Misérables.” Music from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” will also be performed by the orchestra along with a number of other songs. Peter Galman, who was a member of the cast of the soap opera, “As the World Turns” and who is now a Shakespearean actor, will appear as Willy.
Harmony Across Generations will take place Sunday, March 23 at 3 p.m. in O’Shea Hall at our Lady of Lourdes Church, 22094 Lyons Road, Boca Raton starting at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com, by logging on to http://www.flioa.org or by calling 561-922-3134.
The event is open to the public, with general admission tickets priced at $20. VIP tickets (for seating in the first three rows) are $40. Children under 12 are admitted free.
The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra, now in its 20th season, is a unique musical ensemble dedicated to bringing together musicians of all ages. As noted by Marks/Field, “by fostering an environment of inclusivity and collaboration, the orchestra provides a platform for individuals to share their passion for music, strengthen community bonds and inspire future generations of musicians.”
Jessie Dez is a graduate from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree, with concentrations in Musical Theater and Broadcast Journalism. As an actress, she has performed all over South Florida with well-known companies, such as Delray Beach Playhouse, MNM Theatre Company, Warner Bros Entertainment Inc, Lake Worth Playhouse, etc. Not only have you seen her on stage, but on television as well. As a television host for Living Local FL TV, Jessie has been on FOX 29 highlighting all the best places to eat, shop and play in South Florida. Jessie is thrilled to mix her passion of theater and journalism into her writing and content creation for The South Florida Theater Magazine.
