Print Story Email Story Discuss Story (0)

Recommend ( 0 )

Courtesy art First responders and soldiers will be honored in Fanfare for the American Hero at South Florida State College Theatre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Related Links

advertisement

published: Friday, December 28, 2012

SFSC's 'Fanfare for the American Hero' honors soldiers, first responders

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - Among those that make the choice to risk it all to preserve our freedoms are members of the armed forces, law enforcement, and fire departments. They are our friends, family, and neighbors.

Gather as our first responders and soldiers are honored in "Fanfare for the American Hero" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 in the South Florida State College Theatre for the Performing Arts, Highlands Campus.

"Fanfare for the American Hero" tells the story of a Long Island family forever changed by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Experience emotionally charged and inspirational music that honors the sacrifices made by those brave individuals who gave their all that morning.

The program is led by famous pianist Mac Frampton. Now in his 41st concert season, Frampton has more than 4,000 concerts under his belt. He has released over two dozen recordings and nearly a dozen musical productions. He has performed as a soloist with many of the world's greatest orchestras. Frampton arranged and orchestrated this program along with singer Eric De Gray.

Gray, originally from Toronto, has performed throughout the United States and Canada in such musicals as "Beauty and the Beast," "Secret Garden," and "Into the Woods". He also had a one-man show that saw great reviews. Gray is a noted vocal instructor and composer, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in bassoon from the University of Toronto. He has also been a professional figure skater, singing and dancing in such productions as Stars On Ice.

Jamila Ajibade began singing at the age of 14 and received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Western Michigan University. In 2005, she became one of the featured singers with the legendary 5th Dimension. Ajibade starred as the lead character in the Los Angeles production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Broadway musical, "Aida". She made her symphonic debut in 2010 as the soloist with the Kalamazoo Orchestra. Ajibade's musical talent has taken her around the world as a headliner on major cruise lines.

Individual tickets for "Fanfare for the American Hero" range in price from $19 to $25. They are available for purchase at www.performances.southflorida.edu or at the SFSC Box Office, 784-7178. SFSC Box Office hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The box office is in front of the SFSC Theatre for the Performing Arts, 600 W. College Drive. Visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sfscperformingarts. The SFSC Box Office will be closed through Jan. 1 for Winter Break.

An hour prior to the performance, audience members can visit the Journey Stories Highlands County, Fla. exhibition at the SFSC Museum of Florida Art and Culture (SFSC MOFAC). Journey Stories Highlands County is an exhibition about people from other countries and their journey to Highlands County.

Journey Stories Highlands County is in partnership with the Journey Stories exhibit at Highlands Museum of the Arts (MOTA) and the Smithsonian Institute.

SFSC MOFAC is open to the public from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, one hour prior to each Artist and Matinee Series performance, and by appointment for group tours. For more information about the museum and its exhibitions and workshops or to request a museum tour, contact Mollie Doctrow, curator, SFSC MOFAC, at 784-7240 or visit the SFSC MOFAC website at http://mofac.org.