Mighty oaks from little acorns develop is a saying that befitted Key West 27 years in the past this March. In March 1998, Key West’s first Symphony was carried out. A fundraiser. Adopted in December 1998 by a full orchestra of 48 musicians. The group was known as the Key West Symphony.
Tiny Key West had given beginning to a for actual symphony. Operated for years in Key West. Grew and moved on to change into the South Florida Symphony Orchestra which now operates out of Fort Lauderdale and at present maintains concert events from Palm Seashore south to Key West.
How did the not possible start.
4 individuals met in December 1997 at Casa Antigua. Sabrina Maria Alfonso, Tom Oosterhoudt, Elena Spottswood and Theresa Smith. I knew three of the individuals. I assume the assembly happened by Sabrina speaking with Tom about beginning a symphony and Tom suggesting Elena and Theresa. No matter, the 4 met and the bomb was delivered. And a bomb it was! Key West a neighborhood of lower than 30,000 to have a symphony?
Sabrina was Key West born. An informed musical expertise. Her purpose in life to steer a symphony. Tom who knew everybody. Elena who likewise knew many. And Theresa,
If the opposite three may put collectively a symphony, Sabrina would lead it.
Elena grew to become the chief of the pack. In her phrases, “I didn’t know something a few symphony orchestra. I used to be so excited I requested Sabrina if the Symphony may play ‘Didn’t I Blow Your Thoughts This Time,’ a track by the Delfonics.” Sabrina smiled. She did nonetheless present a Key West contact to the primary symphony by having the native group the Spectrelles open with “I Hear a Symphony.” The Spectrelles had been stars at The Bull on Duval Road.
Elena was a employee. She assembled a bunch of her lady associates to assist. They, together with two males, grew to become the primary Symphony Board. The lads Tom Oosterhoudt and Eric DeBoer. The women Rachel Oropeza, Caroline Ford, Marcia DePoo, Julia Orofino, Yvette Talbot, Virginia Wright, Pam Lockwood and Orchid Durkin.
On the similar time, Elena sat with pen and paper and hand wrote letters to individuals asking for contributions. They dripped in. Small quantities. Then she obtained a $500 one. She knew she was on her method. Some checks bought even larger.
The symphony orchestra was not the identical unit that carried out on a regular basis. Sabrina would solicit the very best musicians from throughout the nation to return to Key West to carry out. For pay, after all. The Symphony was knowledgeable operation.
One drawback was getting the musicians from Miami to Key West and again. Elena and the women solicited American Airways. They spoke with a Jacques Fauchand. His voice and message gave them the impression he was a Frenchman. Turned out his actual identify was Juan Bachon. He was of Puerto Rican extraction. He wished the Symphony deal and Elena and her workforce wished American Airways…..For Free!
Fauchand agreed. The Symphony flew free for an extended time period.
Hastily, American Airways wished cost. Elena and her workforce mentioned no method! One, they didn’t have the cash. And two, that they had an settlement that the flights had been to be free.
American Airways lived as much as the settlement, however fired Fauchand who was actually Bachon.
The Vacation Inn on the time sat on the intersection of North Roosevelt Drive and U.S. 1. The house of what finally grew to become the Marriott Beachside and at present the Beachside. The Common Supervisor was Doug Wright. He agreed that Vacation Inn would supply free rooms for the musicians. He was an honorable man and by no means tried to again out of the deal. For years, the Vacation Inn housed the musicians.
Observe that it will have been economically not possible for the Symphony to have made it with out the free American Airline flights and Vacation Inn rooms.
When the Symphony started its displays in 1998, the Board members labored each Symphony to boost extra monies. They’d tables arrange within the entrance lounge to the Tennessee Williams Theater from whence the Board members bought tee shirt and hats.
Ultimately Elena and the Board members realized they wanted extra expertise on the Board. They started including attorneys, accountants and enterprise individuals. A wise transfer. Nonetheless the unique Board did properly with out such help. Bless them!
The primary Board conferences occurred at Elena’s dwelling on Caroline Road. She served chocolate kisses and cashews.
The Symphony’s first live performance was the March 1998 fundraiser held on the Tennessee Williams Theater. The home was packed. The attendees parked their choose up vans within the lot and got here attired in Key West’s common sports activities apparel. No black tie and tails for Key West.
Elena was the primary President and continued in that capability for years.
It’s continuously mentioned when one thing uncommon occurs in Key West…..Solely in Key West! The Symphony’s success an instance of the saying.