Gulf Coast Symphony Serving Southwest Florida for 20 Years

The Gulf Coast Symphony is Southwest Florida’s premier community orchestra, and one of the largest community orchestras in the country. The Symphony was founded by Music Director and Conductor Dr. Andrew M. Kurtz in the 1995–1996 season. Each year, the 70-member orchestra presents its highly popular Symphonic Pops Series and Classical Access Series, both of which are held at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. A holiday concert, a free outdoor pops concerts, and family concerts are also scheduled. Look for Gulf Coast Symphony ensemble performances and outreach and educational programs throughout Southwest Florida from October through June.

DISCOVER the Instruments of the Orchestra!
Interact with orchestra members and their instruments.

Based on the popular “Musical Discovery Zone” from the Our Family Concerts, the FREE Musical Discovery Series offers children the chance to engage with musicians and their instruments in a fun, relaxed environment. The program consists of a Musical Discovery Zone, where kids meet several musicians from the orchestra and can try their own hand at playing some instruments. The musicians provide examples of the different sounds the instruments make by playing short classical as well as kid-familiar pieces, and answer children’s questions. Then, the program moves to the theatre for a performance!

Recommended for children K-6.

Early Gateways

Through Early Gateways, our music teacher teaches provides instruction to pre-schoolers at Kids Konnection Day Care of Messiah Lutheran Church in Cape Coral. The course instructs four-year-olds in basic music terms, teaches them how notes and rhythm come together, and introduces them to a variety of instruments. Near the end of the semester, a quartet from the Symphony visits the school to give the children the chance to see and hear firsthand what they’ve learned.

“For these children, many of whom come from lower-income families, this is their only opportunity to really learn about music and to begin to appreciate the complexity and artistry of what they hear,” says Betsy Randolph, who helped develop the curriculum and has taught the program since 2010. For example, in one lesson series, the children work with hand chimes, learning how musicians use rhythm and read notes to be able to play a piece together—to make music. During the quartet’s visit, the children are able to see these ideas in action with more advanced music and highly trained musicians; they also get to hear, see, and touch the instruments they otherwise would only ever hear about.

Kids Konnection Day Care is not open to the public—contact the Gulf Coast Symphony to find out how you can get involved or to bring Early Gateways to your pre-school or pre-K program.

Gateway to the Arts

We work with a variety of schools in Lee County to offer students of all ages further opportunities for music education:

• We provide free and subsidized tickets to students and their families
• We provide performance opportunities for high school and college students
• Smaller chamber groups of our musicians play at area schools
• Our week-long Artist Residency Program brings professional artists to Fort Myers to participate in outreach activities and perform education work in our partner schools

Dr. Andrew Kurtz

Gulf Coast Symphony founder Andrew Kurtz is the Symphony’s Music & Executive Director and Conductor. His conducting has been called “passionate, expansive, expert, and musical.” He was named the 2007 Performing Artist of the Year at Lee County’s Angel of the Arts Awards. Kurtz’s repertoire encompasses a wide range of music styles from baroque to contemporary, and multiple genres including symphonic, opera, ballet, musical theater, jazz, cantorial, and symphonic pops.

Kurtz is also general & artistic director of the Center City Opera Theater, a professional company in Philadelphia dedicated to new work, new audiences, and new artists. He has led over four dozen productions including numerous world or regional premieres. Notable productions that received international praise and recognition include the world premiere of Lowell Liebermann’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (chamber version), the East Coast premiere of Daniel Catan’s Il Postino, the world premiere of Paul Morovec’s Danse Russe, and the world premiere of Michael Ching’s Slaying the Dragon.

Additionally, Kurtz is the international tour conductor for CANTORS: A Faith In Song, featuring three of the world’s leading cantors. He served as the music director of the Florida Jewish Philharmonic Orchestra and as producing artistic director of Synergy Productions, a professional musical theater company in Southwest Florida.

Kurtz is a past-president of the board of the Lee County Alliance for the Arts. An avid arts educator, Maestro Kurtz was resident music director at the Luzerne Music Center. In 2001 he won first prize in the Dell’Arte di Firenze International Conducting Competition, and made his European conducting debut in Florence. In 1995 Kurtz made his international operatic debut in Tel Aviv while working as a staff conductor at the Israel Vocal Arts Institute. In 1997 he conducted the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s educational tour production of The Best of Puccini. He was a scholarship conducting student at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival, and boasts numerous other conducting credits, including the Pennsylvania Opera Theater, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Charlotte Symphony, Gonzaga Symphony, and the Ocean City Pops.

Kurtz completed his doctoral studies in conducting at the Peabody Conservatory and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia where he received his master’s degree in music history and a bachelor of arts in music and drama. A native of Philadelphia, Kurtz has called Southwest Florida home since 1993.

To receive additional general information or performance dates and locations, click the link below:

gulfcoastsymphony.org

The Music of Michael Sterling

Several weeks ago I had the honor and privilege to sit down and speak with one of the most accomplished musicians in Miami, Florida, Mr. Michael Sterling.  In fact, he is well known around the world for his work with many high profiled artists throughout the music industry. As I began our conversation I started by stating that I feel Miami is a small town, and that musicians usually know about the work of other musicians regardless of musical genre. Because of the complex but diminutive community, I was aware of just about all of his accomplishments, but this was the first time I would get the opportunity to speak with him directly. I also told Sterling that of all of the styles of music and musical projects that have been completed in Miami, he seemed to be the only one to touch them all. R&B, Rap music, Reggae and Latin music, Michael Sterling has been involved with them all – and has enjoyed success. Before I realized it, Sterling and I had talked for hours. He is extremely personable and possesses a wealth of information about music of yesterday and today. Therefore, if you have heard of Michael Sterling as a solo artist, then sit back and learn a little more about his continuing successful music career. If you are not familiar with Sterling’s work, then you are about to be introduced to one of the most diverse musicians, and music business leader in the world today. 

Edward Reid

What can you call someone who plays many musical instruments, composes, arranges, directs, sings and has been a skilled songwriter for years? Generic labels like impresario, maestro, multi-talented or Renaissance man don’t seem to encompass the extraordinary gift of Michael Sterling’s musicianship. So what you do when faced with this seeming inability to describe such a wondrous gift is delve deeper into who this artist is –knowing that if you experience his music through his perception — the words you seek will finally come.

Understanding Michael’s music requires you to know a bit of his background. A Miami native, his musical career started in his teens when he played bass for popular Latino recording artist Ray Fernandez. Eager to branch out into another direction, Michael and two childhood friends formed the group Silver Platinum, who quickly scored a hit on the R&B charts with their hit “Dance”. Michael then went on to play Lead guitar and to sing and record as a member of the Grammy Award winning reggae band Inner Circle. Inner Circle is most known for their hit “Bad Boys” which is used as the theme song for the Bad Boys film franchise that stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. It is also used as the theme song for hit television show COPS.

After touring the world with Inner Circle, Michael returned to Miami. While developing his career as a solo artist, Michael also spent time as an audio engineer and producer at Luke Records, where he produced hits for local artists 2 Live Crew, MC Shy D, famed rapper JT Money and others. He also served as musical director for Arista BMG recording artist Blu Cantrell. While assisting in the development of other artists careers, Michael continued to strengthen as a songwriter, and soon found many of his original compositions being covered by some of the hottest artists of the day i.g. The Song “ALWAYS” by TRINA feat. Monica is a derivative cover of Michael’s song, I will always be there for you, His song “Holiday” served as inspiration for the derivative Trick Daddy single “Thug Holiday”, which is also the title track of Trick’s Platinum album. Then Lil’ Jon and the East Side Boys, Usher and Ludacris covered his song “ Lovers and Friends” for their smash 2005 single of the same name.

The song was released on the quadruple platinum album “Crunk Juice” and was the winner of two BMI Billboard awards including ‘Hip Hop Song of the Year’. In 2006, his song “Bedroom Boom” was covered by The Ying Yang Twins featuring Avant on the platinum Ying Yang CD “U.S.A”. Michael continues to use his formidable talents as a music industry heavyweight. His charismatic and unique voice has been featured in performances on the Today Show and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. It is no surprise that this industry leader has expanded his scope of entertainment interest to motion pictures. MSMG, The Michael Sterling Music Group in association with Infinity Productions released the film: "ALMOST RELATED" Shot primarily on location in Thailand, the movie score features a few of the crème de la crème of MSMG’s impressive artist roster that includes himself, "Red Serious" "Silver Platinum" Black List and the R&B group FAZE.

And so we return to the question of what do you call a man whose gifts run the gamut from music to film to label executive and whose artistry as a musician covers the genres of pop, reggae, hip hop and R&B? You call him what he is. A virtuoso — a musical genius whose career will only continue to inspire and awe all those who have the unique privilege of consuming his music.

Adrienne Arsht Center - 20 Year Dream Fulfilled

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County has been a dream of South Florida patrons, artists, civic and government leaders for the past 20 years. Since the 1980s, the arts and business community, and especially the leaders and supporters of five performing arts companies — Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and, New World Symphony as well as the Florida Philharmonic and Concert Association of Florida, which are no longer in operation — spearheaded the effort to build a performing arts venue, beautifully designed and equipped with state-of-the-art resources, in which to present performances of the highest artistic quality and widest diversity, where audiences could enjoy an incomparable entertainment experience.

In the mid-80s, the Miami-Dade County Commission began exploring the composition and location for a proposed performing arts center and, after extensive studies, approved a financing plan for the Center in 1990. Miami-Dade County would own the Center complex and oversee its construction. The performing arts organizations that would become the Center’s resident companies formed the Performing Arts Center Foundation in late 1990 which, under the leadership of Board Chairman Sherwood M. Weiser, would lead the campaign to raise the private sector funds committed to this project. The Performing Arts Center Trust, a non-profit corporation governed by a volunteer board, was created in 1991 to manage and operate the Center, including overseeing planning, design, and construction of the Center, together with Miami-Dade County. The project would become the largest public-private partnership ever undertaken by the County.

By mid-1991, a site for the Adrienne Arsht Center was chosen on 5.9 acres of land generously donated by Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Knight Ridder. The future Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County was to be located along two square blocks flanking historic Biscayne Boulevard between Northeast 13th and 14th Streets, a prime location in the heart of downtown Miami with access to main highways and to public transportation; nearby retail, hotel and educational developments; and direct views to Government Cut and the Port of Miami. Because of its strategic location, monumental presence, and economic impact, the Center was destined to become a catalyst for redevelopment and revitalization of Miami’s downtown and Biscayne corridor.

In March 1996, the architectural firm of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects was chosen to design the Center, along with acoustician Russell Johnson of ARTEC, Inc. and theater planning and design consultant Joshua Dachs of Fisher Dachs Associates, Inc. In October 1997, Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Trust commissioned several site-specific art installations which would complement and enhance the Center’s architecture while delighting the senses. The works include lobby floors and railings by José Bedia, a large-scale glass tile mural by Cundo Bermudez, outdoor water and seating elements by Anna Valentina Murch, a site-specific art installation for the Ziff Ballet Opera House plaza by Gary Moore, and a proscenium curtain and organ scrim designed by Robert Rahway Zakanitch. In addition to these permanent art installations, Miami-Dade Art In Public Places Trust commissioned a documentary video by Konstantia Kontaxis and Ed Talavera focusing on the design development, fabrication and installation of each of the works, which made its debut during Art Basel Miami Beach 2006.

In the late 1990s, the Center received a substantial personal gift from Ted Arison, founder and chairman emeritus of Carnival Corporation. In honor of Arison’s generous $10 million donation, one of the Center’s main theaters was named the Carnival Concert Hall. Dr. Sanford L. Ziff, founder of Sunglass Hut International, also made a substantial contribution of $10 million which was honored with naming rights to the Center’s other main theater, which became the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House.

Construction began in 2001 – upon approval by the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners of the construction contract by Performing Arts Center Builders, a partnership of Odebrecht Construction, Inc., The Haskell Company and Ellis Don Corporation.

On July 19, 2006, the Center celebrated a landmark moment in its fundraising history with the acceptance of two multi-million-dollar gifts from Carnival Corporation & plc and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, two organizations whose involvement with the Center dates back to the planning stages. The Center, previously named Miami Performing Arts Center, was renamed Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in honor of a $20 million aggregate gift from Carnival Corporation. Concurrently, the Center’s Concert Hall, previously known as the Carnival Concert Hall, was renamed the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall in appreciation of a $10 million gift from the Knight Foundation.

The Center celebrated its highly anticipated, history-making four-day Grand Opening from October 5 – 8, 2006 with performances by best-selling pop stars and exciting young artists, spectacular fireworks, appearances by celebrities and dignitaries, a free all-day multicultural extravaganza, and an array of stunning performances from its four resident companies – Concert Association of Florida, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy.

On January 10, 2008, Adrienne Arsht, national business leader, philanthropist, and supporter of the Center since its inception, made a $30 million donation to the Center. The gift was announced by Sherwood (Woody) Weiser, Foundation Chairman Emeritus.  In recognition of the gift, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts was renamed the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Carnival Corporation graciously agreed to relinquish the naming rights in favor of this new major donation. The Center kept the original Arison family gift of $10 million in return for naming of the Studio Theater, bridge and Art Deco Tower.

In May 2010, the Adrienne Arsht Center launched its ground-breaking Learning Through the Arts program, providing live music, theater, and dance experiences to Miami-Dade County youth -- completely free of charge -- via the public school system’s Passport to Culture initiative.  The inaugural Learning Through the Arts performance was a world premiere rock opera adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey to which 25,000 Miami-Dade Public School students were invited.

The Adrienne Arsht Center also unveiled a unique pre- and post-show amenity.  Prelude by Barton G is a full-service restaurant offering a sophisticated dining adventure right on the Center’s campus.

Additional information about the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is available online at www.arshtcenter.org.


The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from local, state and national foundations, as well as private contributions to the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation through corporate and individual giving, Visionary Society membership and the Encore Circle major gifts programs.

Winter Music Conference Turns 30 in March 2015

WMC celebrates 30 years as the essential platform for the advancement of the dance music industry, March 24 – 28, 2015 in Miami Beach. WMC’s 2015 program will celebrate three decades of dance music & EDM’s most innovative artists and professionals converging on Miami Beach. "The excitement leading up to WMC this March is phenomenal. The buzz is about 30 years of club culture, which has now transcended generations; something this memorable becomes a celebration you just have to attend” says WMC Co-Founder Bill Kelly.

The WMC 2015 will be hosted at the iconic Deauville Beach Resort on Miami Beach and will feature a concentrated schedule of performance sets, conference workshops and panels addressing all aspects of the music industry with exhibits featuring the newest technology and sounds, industry receptions and more. This anniversary will be an all-time epic gathering of DJs, artists, music labels, producers, promoters, techies and club goers.

Registration includes access to panels, seminars, featured Q & A's, WMC official poolside events, South Beach Sessions, trade show & exhibits, workshops (with the exception of the Remixing and Editing Workshops), DJ Spin-Offs, VJ Challenge as well as complimentary or reduced admission to WMC official and sanctioned events.

For Registration and more information click logo below:

Music and Industry
The shape of the music business today is completely different then it was 10 years ago. As aspects change and shift, WMC makes great efforts to create a Program that reflects the current climate of the Industry. Because music is such a fluid and transformative art form, WMC closely follows emerging trends and genres and integrates such ideas into the Program. No matter which form of music you are interested in, you are guaranteed to find colleagues and experts in the fields you work in and enjoy.

Innovations in DJ and Production Technology
Developments in digital mixing and recording have enhanced the art of production and DJing. Digital mixing tools have completely changed the dynamic of the DJ. WMC explores all the new and exciting innovations, and brings together leading manufacturers and developers to discuss the pros and cons of the array of new options. Also, our panels of esteemed guests will be there to answer any questions you may have about programs, plug-ins, and products.

Distribution
The Winter Music Conference addresses every aspect of music distribution as it stands currently. From brick and mortar retail distribution, to digital distribution, to mail order distribution...no matter how you choose to operate your business, you will find the information you are seeking.

Radio Exposure
WMC presents the top professionals from around the world as they evaluate radio as a vehicle for developing artists. WMC makes a huge effort to create a balance between internet, satellite, and terrestrial radio formats. Also, the radio panel will address issues such as: how to draw and sustain listeners, how to break artists through such diverse radio formats, how to get your records on the air and keep them in rotation...Get the inside track on these topics and more!

Legal Issues and Advice
Understand the fundamentals of effectual and solid contracts, copyrights, licensing, online retailing, digital distribution and the intricacies of publishing laws through a series of seminars devoted to legal issues. Get expert legal advice from top entertainment lawyers for free! Some of the most influential and active professionals in the music Industry will assemble to examine various Industry related legal issues and answer any questions you may have.

Media
Discover which media outlets work best for you and how to approach them. Journalists and publicists will discuss how to use publications, TV and the Internet to your advantage. Learn how to develop and maintain relations with the worlds leading media sources. Discover the most effective means of breaking artists and maintaining success through the media.

Foreign Markets
Join executives from global companies discuss music marketing worldwide. Find out everything you need to know to promote your artist worldwide and generate revenue outside the U.S. Learn the ins and outs of International contracts, touring, promotion, distribution, licensing, exporting, collecting royalties and more. Also, find out what global trends are emerging today.

Revenue Streams
Don't rely strictly on album and song sales as a form of revenue! There are numerous ways to make money aside from traditional music retailing. Licensing, touring, soundtracks, advertising, ringtones, and merchandising are all great forms of alternative revenue streams. WMC has assembled Industry leaders working in these fields daily, which have developed effective business strategies. These subjects are more important now then ever. As such, these panels are not to be missed!