WORDS: Gabrielle Versmessen
PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst
This year marked the return of Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra’s Symphony on the Sand event! Having been unable to hold the event for the last three years, Symphony on the Sand returned with a variety of fine foods and hit music under the talented baton of Maestro Alfred Gershfeld.
This highly anticipated event occurred on the sands of Coquina Beach on Veterans Day. As a salute to the national holiday, the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra (AMICCO) performed patriotic classics in addition to international and American musical compositions, Broadway hits, and movie favorites. The performers ranged from wind and string instrumentalists to pianists to vocalists. Most performers are local from AMICCO, but some were professionally sourced from New York City.
Jeanie Pickwick, who was on the Steering Committee for Symphony on the Sand, has managed the event since 2013.
“This event helps us to foster the development of musically talented youth throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as AMICCO’s outreach programs to the community,” Jeanie explained.
The Young Artists Solo Competition is one aspect of AMICCO’s youth programs. It is open to any wind and string instrumentalists, pianists, and vocalists between the ages of 12 and 18 within Manatee and Sarasota County. Candidates have ten minutes to audition and can either use sheet music or memorization for their piece. Past award winners cannot compete, and students must be participating in their school’s music program, except for pianists and home-schooled performers. Participants are highly encouraged to join AMICCO.
Margaret Toth won the 2022 Young Artists Solo Competition. She is a highly talented violinist who performed her competition piece from memory. In addition to a cash prize, publicity, and mentoring, Margaret was awarded the opportunity to perform a solo piece at Symphony on the Sand.
Maestro Alfred Gershfeld, who conducted AMICCO’s 45-piece orchestra for Symphony on the Sand, holds advanced degrees in conducting and violin performance from the Kishinev and Moscow Conservatories in the former Soviet Union. Anna Maria Oyster Bar provided wait staff for the event while restaurants, including Beach House, Euphemia Haye, Hometown Desserts, Coquina Café, Beach Bistro, and Lazy Lobster, served guests a “progressive dinner of small plates.”
In addition to Symphony on the Sand, the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra perform concerts from December through March. The chorus and orchestra members can be both volunteer and professional musicians, which is unusual as choirs and orchestras typically work separately. They will perform a variety of pieces from beloved classics to opera to signature American popular music.
Part of AMICCO’s mission is to foster the development of musically talented youth through participation, competitions, and grants. They also provide performance opportunities for talented professional and volunteer musicians. This allows them to offer high-quality choral and instrumental music for the community at large.
“We’re about our community. We love our community and want to support it and all of its people. We buy and play locally, you could say,” Jeanie laughed. She said that at the end of the day, if they can expose listeners to something beautiful, then they’ve succeeded.
As Symphony on the Sand came to a close, the sun set behind the Gulf of Mexico as attendees danced and waved their American flags. A triumphant return of the event was marked by the joyous laughter, full stomachs, and harmonies sung by those who attended the event.
