The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra – some 60 members strong – will proudly gather on stage Sunday afternoon to present “Encore,” a special musical performance marking 20 years of the group’s productions that have brought together musicians of all ages in shared presentations and community.
The anniversary dedicated to dual decades of entertaining folks in the South Florida region will take place Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, O’Shea Hall, located at 22094 Lyons Road in Boca Raton.
Founded on the belief that music has the power to unite people across age and experience, Florida Intergenerational Orchestra has presented concerts for 20 years that reflect excellence, collaboration and community spirit. Musicians currently in the ensemble range in age from 9 to 97.
“Encore,” under the direction of FLIOA founder and conductor Lorraine Marks Field, will feature the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra alongside special guest performers, all of them honoring two decades of music-making that “bridges generations, fosters mentorship and celebrates the joy of live orchestral performance,” she said.
“This concert is our way of saying thank you — to the musicians, families and audiences who have supported Florida Intergenerational Orchestra for two decades of music and community.”
“The ‘Encore’ program celebrates not only our past, but the enduring spirit that has sustained us for two decades: collaboration, mentorship and joy in music-making,” she said. “Each rehearsal, each performance, and each shared moment reflects the belief that music strengthens community and connects us in ways words cannot.”
The musical program for Sunday includes the National Anthem, “Syncopated Clock,” “Hot Canary” with violinist James Gaskill; selections from Les Misérables with vocalist Roselia Mautner; “Capriccio Espagnol,” “Can’t help falling in love” featuring Elvis impersonator Vince Zabik and “Waltz No. 2” which includes a gymnastics routine by 13-year-old award-winning rhythmic gymnast Laura Rohtla. “Por una cabeza” with Ivan Lypovyk on the flugelhorn will also be performed.
Also: a medley of Louis Armstrong songs with voice impersonator Vince Zabik; “Bésame Mucho” with vocalist Olga Borrero Mamani; Fiddler on the Roof favorites and “Won’t you be my neighbor?” with vocalist Howie Halberg appearing as Mr. Rogers. “Let there be peace on earth” and “Espana Cani” round out the show
Discussing the genesis of the now 20-year-old performance group, Marks Field said that in 2005, “the Century Village Orchestra stopped performing.” She said she worked with them and other interested musicians in the community to revive the assemblage – and that’s how the FLIOA came to be.
She said she also had prior experience organizing a similar group of musicians in New Jersey before moving to Florida.
A few months ago, Marks-Field said she and the orchestra were recognized as “Hometown Heros” by CBS-TV Channel 12 for their contribution to the entertainment field in Boca Raton and the surrounding area.
“For 20 years,” she said, “the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra has been a living example of what music does best: bring people together across generations, backgrounds and life experiences. From students to seasoned musicians, our orchestra proves that the love of music has no age limit—and that learning, growth, and artistry continue throughout a lifetime.”
This concert is made possible by an endowment from Naomi Spott and the family of Roger and Michele Spott who are FLIOA board members.
General seating for the show is $20. VIP seats (in the first three rows) are $40. Children are admitted free.
To purchase tickets, visit http://www.FLIOA.org or call 561-922-3134. Tickets are also available at the door (cash only).
A Massachusetts native who moved to Florida in 2000, he is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, with honors degrees in English and Journalism. In New England, he worked for the Attleboro (Mass.) Sun Chronicle and the Pawtucket (R.I.) Times, the latter for 28 years. After moving to Florida, he worked as a copy editor at the Palm Beach Daily News, and, in 2001, became a reporter and later, city editor, at the Boca
Raton News where he worked for eight years.
