Concert Band

This concert will be held in the beautiful and historic Parker Playhouse, now known as The Parker. Two concert bands will be conducted by Dan Bassett, Artistic Director of the South Florida Pride Concert Band, Sara Cowley, Assistant Director of the South Florida Pride Concert Band, and several other Pride Bands Alliance artistic directors. Video productions, special lighting, and guest soloists and performing artists will enhance the concert experience. Musical selections will celebrate the Halloween season.

The Parker, Fort Lauderdale’s iconic heritage theater, is a vibrant, contemporary home for outstanding cultural and educational programming. Beautifully renovated in 2021, it has been the stage for great entertainment in South Florida for more than 50 years, and now, transformed for the 21st century, it features new amenities for today’s theatergoer.

From the grand entrance of the S. Donald Sussman Lobby to the warm elegance of Lillian S. Wells Hall, The Parker offers an enhanced theater experience for audiences as well as artists. The 1147-seat Wells Hall is a jewel of a theater with continental seating, wide rows, unobstructed sight lines and outstanding acoustics. Three new hospitality spaces – the grand lobby and two intimate club rooms – offer ample opportunities for patrons to enjoy cocktails and conversations along with their culture.

The theater opened in 1967 as the Parker Playhouse, ushering in a new era of cultural development in South Florida, changing Fort Lauderdale from a sleepy beach town best known for spring break into a center of artistic activity. Artistically and architecturally, the neo-classical Parker Playhouse became a landmark in South Florida.

Commission Composers

Michele Fernández is a published composer, active guest clinician, adjudicator and performer. She recently retired from teaching in Miami after 30 years. https://michele-fernandez.com/home-and-bio

Kelijah Dunton is also an accomplished composer who is often sought after to create pieces for commissions. He grew up in inner New York City and according to him, music saved his life. “Through music, I want to help us all rise out of the pain we had to endure as kids. I want to help save young people’s lives by setting an example of what’s possible for an inner-city kid like myself.” – Kelijah Dunton https://kelijah.com/

These commissions are funded in part by a generous donation from the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts.