Naples Big Band partners with Cadence Music to provide instruments to aspiring music students in underserved Florida community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Naples, FL
Naples Big Band, a local band whose members are gearing up for the upcoming Alliance of the Arts summer concert series beginning May 26, recently partnered with Cadence Music to gift instruments to local Florida school children who have proven an interest and aptitude in music yet do not have the means to continue without additional financial assistance. Students who received the instruments were chosen based on their interest, aptitude, and barriers to continuing their music education without their own instrument.
Naples Big Band chose to work with Cadence Music because of their passion to “connect the dots,” according to Todd Handley, Cadence Manager, for the local music community.
“For us, connecting the dots means bringing together the supporters and participants of local music. It can be a referral to help someone build their musical talent, or in this case, connecting an adult music organization like Naples Big Band with deserving kids that want to continue their music journey,” stated Handley.
Cadence partnered with Naples Big Band upon learning of their interest to help local student musicians. Cadence Music’s strong relationship with local school music programs made the effort seamless because of their understanding of local need. Music teachers at Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts and Immokalee Middle School were made aware of the desire to gift instruments and nominated students based upon their musical accomplishments and level of need. Funding for the instruments was provided by Naples Big Band, and instruments and logistics were provided by Cadence Music.
Brad Cassity, Board President of Naples Big Band, worked with Cadence Music to identify the most impactful way to allocate Naples Big Band’s scholarship money in the local music community. Naples Big Band’s scholarship funds used to provide the instruments come from its sponsors and donations collected at free concerts at Cambier Park in Naples and Mackle Park in Marco Island.
“When we discovered there are many local school children for whom their music education ends when sixth grade is over because they no longer have access to school provided instruments, we knew we’d found our recipients for the Naples Big Band scholarship fund,” said Cassity. “We’re so thankful to have been able to work with Todd and the team at Cadence Music and leverage their strong relationships with local music teachers in our public schools. Unlike other band funded programs, we don’t require these students return the gift to us in performance time or commitment to lessons with our members. We are thrilled to purely gift these instruments and hopefully spur a lifetime love of creating and experiencing music. Perhaps one day it will come full circle and these students will be playing in the Alliance of the Arts festival or even bigger stages.” The instruments were gifted to the chosen students this month by the team at Naples Big Band and Cadence Music.
Student Band Directors Phil Barton of Immokalee Middle School and Sarah Rigney of Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts nominated and are proud to present the following students with their chosen instrument on behalf of Naples Big Band and Cadence Music:
Cecilia Nicolas (clarinet, grade 8) - Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts
Daisey Antonio (clarinet, grade 8) - Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts
Andres Hernandez (clarinet, grade 6) - Immokalee Middle School
Christopher Medina (trumpet , grade 6) - Immokalee Middle School
Brian Tzarax (trumpet, grade 8) - Immokalee Middle School
Jeymi Lopez (trumpet, grade 8) - Immokalee Middle School
Members of Naples Big Band and other local musicians will be sharing the stage beginning May 26 to kick off the Alliance of the Arts summer concert series. More information about the performers and how to attend can be found at https://www.artinlee.org/event/summerkickoff/ .
ABOUT NAPLES BIG BAND
The Naples Big Band entertains the public with dynamic, Big Band performances, in styles spanning the swing era to the modern day, while also nurturing the musical development of local youth with financial support. Learn more about Naples Big Band at https://naplesbigband.com/our-mission .
ABOUT CADENCE MUSIC
Cadence Music is Southwest Florida's largest and most trusted band and orchestra music store. Conveniently located in central Fort Myers, Cadence Music is family owned and operated and specializes in school band and orchestra instrument rentals, sales, accessories, sheet music, repairs, and private lessons. Learn more about Cadence Music at https://cadencemusic.com/t-about.aspx.