- April 25, 2024
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The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performed soundtracks from movies such as "Star Wars" and "Apollo 13."
The orchestra performed under the baton of Mauricio Céspedes Rivero.
The performance began during the sunset hours and ended when the moon was high in the sky.
The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra opened the event.
Musicians were excited to share the program with those in attendance.
The orchestra also performed tunes from "West Side Story" and "Jurassic Park."
The sounds of "The Star-Spangled Banner" brought people to their feet at the beginning of the orchestra performance.
Windermere Mayor Jim O'Brien welcomed everyone and thanked those in attendance for being there.
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra staff members Courtney Normandin and Chloe Sheffield were all smiles while talking to people during the event.
Olivia and Allison Marchitelli, and Hayden and Lexi Filar were happy to spend the evening with each other.
Gabriela Gil brought a picnic towel and connected with the music while the orchestra performed.
Natalia Ramirez and Brendan Dannic brought their chairs and a small table to relax and listen to the performance.
Linda Zucker, Molly and Kyle Mitch, Evie Carson and Ted and Bonnie Kellog made a picnic out of the event.
Windermere resident Shirley Piercy invited her friend Fred Stacey to the event, who drove all the way from Haines City to be there.
The Lee family was enjoying the performance from the front row.
The crowd lightened the place with their white and blue light bracelets. Courtesy photo by Rick Allen.
The Windermere Town Hall grounds were filled with the sounds of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra the evening of Saturday, Nov. 5.
The program started with a performance from the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, followed by comments from Windermere Mayor Jim O’Brien, who welcomes those in attendance.
“I want to thank the Windermere Wine and Dine committee for putting together a great event,” he said. “But tonight is not just about having a good time. It’s about having a good time to help our community, and that’s what we are part of, that’s what we are proud of and that’s what we always want to be mindful of. So certainly, (I’m) privileged and very happy to be here. (I’m) so excited to see everybody.”
The OPO performed a repertoire called "Broadway to Film," which included selections from films such as West Side Story, Carousel, The Phantom of the Opera, It don't Mean A Thing, Apollo 13, Jurassic Park and Star Wars. The orchestra also performed The Star-Spangled Banner and the Armed Forces Salute.
Windermere Wine and Dine Chair C.T. Allen also addressed the audience about donating to the Music Among the Lakes Virtual Food Drive.
“We are all about creating these events to give back to the community,” she said. “So, what we did was partner with Second Harvest Food Bank for a virtual food drive. We are blessed to be sitting out here in the audience right now, listening to great music and about to listen to even more, but in our larger community of Central Florida there are still so many families at risk and food insecure. … All it takes is a $25 donation from each and every one of us and we’ll surpass our $10,000 goal.”
At the end of the night, the crowd raised about $6,000 and a grant check from Windermere Wine and Dine of $4,000 met the fundraising goal previously set for the event.
“Thank you again for coming to this event,” Allen said. “We always, when we are creating a new (event), hold on to the thought that if we build, it they will come — and you guys came! Which is great, and we thank you for it.”
More than 750 people were in attendance at the event.
