The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra and the fourth oldest in the state, has been awarded a $7,500 grant from Suncoast Credit Union for the second consecutive year. The funds were used to support a free interactive performance by the symphony for over 1,600 elementary school students on Feb. 21 called “Compose Yourself.” Performances were held at 10 and 11:15 a.m. at Fort Myers Senior High School for students from 15 different schools throughout the community. Supremely crafted and well-paced, “Compose Yourself!” educates, engages and entertains students with bottle music, hosaphones, snake-charming oboes, powerful trumpets and more.
“We are extremely grateful for the continued support from Suncoast Credit Union to help us achieve our mission of bringing world-class music to all ages and inspiring the next generation of talent,” said Amy Ginsburg, executive director of the Southwest Florida Symphony. “These concerts help us provide once-in-a-lifetime educational experiences that spark appreciation of music and performance arts for youth in our community.”
“At Suncoast, we understand the arts add dimension to our lives and provide a creative outlet for those with talent or skill that deserved to be recognized,” said Kourtney Berry, Executive Director, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “Witnessing over 1,600 students unite to deliver a remarkable performance was both a sight to see and a sound to remember.”
For more information about the Southwest Florida Symphony, upcoming season performances and subscription and ticketing information, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 11th largest in the United States based on its $17.7 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $44 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Southwest Florida Symphony
The Southwest Florida Symphony made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961, playing in schools and community centers, with a roster of only 24 volunteer musicians. Today, the symphony boasts a roster of 70 world-class professional musicians and is Lee County’s only fully professional orchestra and fourth oldest in the state. The Southwest Florida Symphony’s 63rd year continues the orchestra’s tradition of artistic excellence and innovation as Music Director Maestro Radu Paponiu leads another season of spectacular performances. Maestro Paponiu, the sixth music director in the organization’s history, also serves as the associate conductor and youth orchestra director for the Naples Philharmonic in addition to guest-conducting with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. To learn more, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.
