By Zandra Wolfgram

Morgan James, the soulful powerhouse vocalist known for her magnetic stage presence and extraordinary vocal range, is back to spread holiday cheer with Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Big Band Holiday Toast ‘n Jam featuring Morgan James, is set for Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin.

James, celebrated for her ability to blend Broadway brilliance with soulful renditions of American Songbook classics, will perform a festive set that includes holiday favorites, beloved Broadway tunes, standards, and selections from her holiday album, A Very Magnetic Christmas. “We are thrilled to welcome Morgan James back to the Sinfonia stage to help us kick off the holiday season with her incredible voice and charisma,” says Demetrius Fuller, Music & Artistic Director of Sinfonia Gulf Coast.

A Festive Experience for the Senses

This intimate brunch concert offers more than just stunning live music. Guests will indulge in an elegant holiday brunch featuring a Bloody Mary and Mimosa cash bar. The cozy ambiance of the Henderson Beach Resort’s Crystal Ballroom, paired with James’ dynamic performance and a live big band, promises to create an unforgettable holiday experience.

Tickets start at $125 per person, which includes valet service, brunch, and gratuities. Limited front-row seating is available for $195 per person, ensuring the best seat in the house for this holiday celebration. Proceeds from the event support Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s music education and community outreach programs across Northwest Florida.

Who Is Morgan James?

A graduate of The Juilliard School, James began her career on Broadway, starring in acclaimed productions such as Motown: The Musical, The Addams Family, and Godspell. Her career took off as a recording artist with her genre-defying albums, including A Very Magnetic Christmas, Reckless Abandon, and her viral full-length cover of D’Angelo’s Black Messiah. Known for her versatility, James seamlessly navigates between soul, jazz, R&B, and Broadway classics, earning her a global fan base.

Toast the Season | Reserve Your Tickets Today!

Celebrate the holiday season with Morgan James and Sinfonia Gulf Coast in this festive musical event. This event is expected to sell out so don’t delay reserving your seats at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling (850) 460-8800. Seating is limited, so don’t wait to secure your spot for this intimate brunch concert experience.

By Zandra Wolfgram

The holiday season is upon us, and Sinfonia Gulf Coast is bringing Dr. Seuss’ beloved tale to life with The Grinch in Concert. On Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center will transform into Whoville as Sinfonia’s live orchestra performs James Horner’s iconic score while the full movie plays on the big screen. 

To get you in the holiday spirit, here are 10 fun facts about The Grinch story and Ron Howard’s beloved movie adaptation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas:

1. The Grinch’s Original Color 

Dr. Seuss originally envisioned the Grinch in black and white. The character became his signature green after an inspiration drawn from a rental car Seuss thought was “ugly.” 

2. A Record-Breaking Costume 

Jim Carrey’s Grinch costume took **two hours to apply each day**, using 1,000 yak hairs dyed green. Carrey underwent torture-resistance training with a CIA expert to cope with the lengthy process.  

3. Cindy Lou Who Was Almost Played by a Pop Star  

Before Taylor Momsen landed the role of Cindy Lou Who, rumors circulated that Britney Spears might be cast in the role.

4. The Dog Who Stole Hearts  

Max the dog, played by a rescue dog named Kelley, charmed audiences with her performance. Kelley’s ability to act with such expressive eyes made Max a fan favorite.

5. Ron Howard’s Cameo  

Director Ron Howard stepped in for a small cameo as a Who. Spot him during the Whoville scenes if you’re quick! 

6. The Grinch’s Iconic Song 

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, originally sung by Thurl Ravenscroft in the 1966 cartoon, received a jazzy update by Jim Carrey in the 2000 movie. The song remains a holiday classic and if you attended Holiday Pops in 2023 you got to see a show-stopping performance by Broadway’s legendary baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell.

7. Record-Setting Transformation

How the Grinch Stole Christmas became the highest-grossing holiday film of 2000 and held its spot as the top-grossing Christmas movie for years, cementing its legacy as a must-watch seasonal classic.

8. Dr. Seuss' Approval  

Dr. Seuss’ widow, Audrey Geisel, had strict guidelines for adapting her husband’s works. She personally approved Ron Howard for his vision of the Grinch’s world.

9. The Grinch’s Heart Symbolism  

The Grinch’s tiny heart grows three sizes by the end of the story, symbolizing the power of generosity and holiday spirit.

10. Live Music, Big Screen Magic  

For the first time on the Emerald Coast, Sinfonia Gulf Coast will present this cinematic classic with James Horner’s unforgettable score performed live by a full orchestra.

Don’t Miss the Magic!  

“This family-friendly event is one of our favorites because it combines the magic of live orchestral music with a classic holiday story that resonates with all ages,” says Demetrius Fuller, Music & Artistic Director of Sinfonia Gulf Coast.  

Tickets are $40–$65, with special pricing for students and military. Tickets are selling fast for this unforgettable live-to-film experience, so grab your tickets now at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org. 

With proceeds from the event support Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s music education and community outreach programs across Northwest Florida, every ticket purchase is instrumental to our success. 

Celebrate the season with your loved ones and let Sinfonia Gulf Coast make your hearts grow three sizes this holiday season!

By Zandra Wolfgram

Sinfonia Gulf Coast is thrilled to announce that Miranda Rojas, our Education & Outreach
Assistant, has been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 Lab Cohort Program of the
Teaching Artists Training Institute (TATI). This prestigious fellowship is designed to equip
Teaching Artists with the tools and skills necessary to support more than 20,000
underrepresented students and communities across the country.

The TATI Lab Cohort brings together up to 60 Teaching Artists annually, offering them the
chance to collaborate, learn, and reflect on their teaching practice. Over the course of nine
months, cohort members engage in live sessions led by expert clinicians on topics such as
planning, instruction, and cultural equity. Miranda will also attend an in-person regional
practicum in Baltimore, MD, and has the opportunity to apply for a week-long learning
retreat in Miami in the spring.

"I am thrilled to have been selected for this incredible fellowship opportunity,” said Rojas.
“My participation in this cohort will help me refine my teaching practices, both
pedagogically and socially, so that I can best support the diverse group of students that I
serve through Sinfonia Gulf Coast's music education programs."

Miranda joined Sinfonia’s education department in August 2023 to support the Music
Education programs led by Education & Outreach Director Margaret Gordon.

A passionate educator and performer, she was previously a member of the Carriola
Quartet, Sinfonia’s Quartet-in-Residence. In addition to her work with Sinfonia, Miranda
runs her own private studio, Rojas Strings, where she teaches violin, viola, and cello. She
holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Florida State University and performs
regularly in the region. Her current roles include Principal Second Violin with the Panama
City Symphony Orchestra and section musician with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Pensacola
Symphony, Gulf Coast Symphony (MS), and Albany Symphony. Miranda also serves as
Music Director for HERo, a Tallahassee-based organization dedicated to amplifying the
voices of women in music and promoting works by women composers.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast has long been committed to educational outreach, impacting more than
200,000 children in Okaloosa and Walton Counties since its founding. Our community
outreach programs include the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra, guest artist visits in local schools,
free orchestra concerts, and partnerships such as the Link Up concert program with
Carnegie Hall, Paint the Music with the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, and our Arts in
Medicine initiative with Sacred Heart Hospital and more.

For more information about Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s education programs, visit
SinfoniaGulfCoast.org.

Discover how Sinfonia Gulf Coast is redefining the symphony experience in their 2024-2025 season — with powerhouse performances, innovative concerts, and can't-miss events — in this exclusive Q&A.

By Zandra Wolfgram

The 2024-2025 season kicks off with a bang. As in a powerhouse performance by Broadway star Alysha Umphress. Why is Cabaret at Seagar’s such a beloved event and what’s in store for this year on September 17?

The Cabaret at Seagar’s transports patrons to another era in its NYC/Cafe Carlyle-esque vibe where you don’t know you are not sitting in the middle of Manhattan listening to some of the most phenomenal talents on the music scene today. This year’s cabaret artist is in a vocal league of her own. I know patrons will be blown away. 
 
For the 19th  season you are once again “redefining the symphony experience” with fresh offerings. Tell us about the first concert of the season, Luminescence: Catalyst by Candlelight on November 7.

Sinfonia is no stranger to unique performance offerings and, in fact, staged “candlelight” concerts over 10 seasons ago when we were performing in Rosemary Beach Town Hall. We had the opportunity to perform in the charming Seaside Chapel and the only thing that could illuminate the musicianship and pedigree of Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet is candles. It is the perfect back drop to do this type of presentation in a proper space. It is always important to present this type of concert with the highest caliber of musicians and venue. This sets Sinfonia apart from more recent concerts of others touting the same experience. 

Often musicians and vocalists taking the Sinfonia stage are not just performers, they are longtime friends of yours. Singer/songwriter Morgan James returns for Big Band Holiday Toast ‘n Jam on December 8. Tell us why she’s so special to you and why this concert will get us in the spirit.
 
Isn’t that great? I have been so fortunate to meet and forge friendships with so many incredible people over the last 25 years! It makes it more fun when you have that connection and almost always, even if I am working with an artist for the first time, we leave the concert experience as friends. Morgan. I can write a novel on Morgan James. A really good one. We met by mistake. She was a last-minute replacement for a vocalist for our holiday pops in 2012. She blew the roof off that evening, and we never looked back. She has become one of my best friends, sounding board and collaborator. There is not another voice on this planet that can match Morgan James. It is a very special instrument that is so versatile from coloratura opera to Broadway to pop to soul to jazz to R&B and I can go on. She is presenting her holiday themed big band concert that she debuted at Joe’s Pub in NYC last year. It is FUN! 

Two words. The Grinch. Your innovative Film in Concert series has become one of the most popular offerings with families. Why should we not miss this December 14 concert?

Two Words: The Grinch. Three words: Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Three more words: Live in Concert. Aside from being a classic holiday movie, and with all due respect to Jim Carrey, Sinfonia’s orchestra steals the show in these films in concert, but I may be slightly biased. Sinfonia’s Film in Concert series is a great way for families and everyone really, to enjoy live music paired with iconic films. Nostalgia, excitement, joy, all of the emotions can be described as part of the experience. 

Bette, Babs & Beyond sounds like a siren call for everyone who loves the music of legends like Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Adele and Cher. Sounds like January 17 is a party in the making. Tell us more. 

We honored Music of the Knights last year with the tribute to Sirs Paul McCartnery, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, so it was appropriate to flip the switch and pay tribute to the amazing female voices of our time and this set list is non-stop hit after hit that will feature amazing vocalists, including the return of Jessica Hendy from Music of the Knights and the full orchestra. 

February is the season of love and with Crescendo! 2025 Vintner Dinners kicking off February 28 and the Main Event on March 2, we understand Sinfonia will be Painting the Town Red starting with the January 30 Kick Off event. What can we expect this year? 

Crescendo! is Sinfonia’s most important event each season because it raises the funds to keep all of our educational outreach and community engagement initiatives free to the school districts that we serve. This includes our Link Up partnership with Carnegie Hall, guest artists in schools, ensembles in residence that provide services throughout our community and our annual Paint the Music program in partnership with Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. That aside, it is a blast and sets the social scene for the spring and summer. What not to like about incredible vintners paired with celebrity chefs and a big blowout main event all to raise funds for these important initiatives? 
 
Sinfonia’s commitment to music is seen in its support of new works. You have commissioned Howard Levy to create a new concerto for harmonica and piano, which will be a U.S. Southeast premiere. Why is it important to support new music and what can you tell us about your Classical Connections collaboration set for April 4?

Talk about friends in the biz. I first worked with Howard in 2003 in Cincinnati where he and pianist Anthony Molinaro were guests on a series that I curated for the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Museum. Sinfonia performed the Southeast U.S. premiere of his first concerto for harmonica and when he asked if I was interested in being involved with his newest offering, I could not refuse. Howard is one of those rare musicians that come along too infrequently, whose skills on harmonica are unparalleled in this universe, but to add piano, for which he is also scarily gifted on, it was a no brainer. Sinfonia will perform the world premier of this new work for harmonica and piano with Howard performing. 

New music and commissions and orchestrations of other existing works is critical to the survival of the orchestra art form. Sinfonia has always been on the forefront of this and while I would love to participate more in this realm, we are limited to the number of concerts that we do each season; however, it is always important to support new artists, new works and collaboration is key! 
 
Sinfonia has a history of surprising and delighting its audience with bold, innovative offerings. Composer Steve Hackman is known for his unexpected music pairings. Tell us how you plan to cap the Main Event season on May 18?

Relevance. That is a big word being tossed around these days. Why do orchestras who only offer classical music suffer from declining ticket sales … they are not relevant. Sinfonia has always been one-stop shopping for the entire genre of orchestral offerings to include masterworks, pops, chamber orchestra, chamber music and unique events incorporating other musical and art forms. 

Sinfonia’s season concludes with Tchaikovsky X Drake. Whether you are familiar with either name, it is a concert that you can attend and thoroughly enjoy from the sheer vantage point that it is an incredible concert experience. Steve Hackman is an impresario of the mash up. Like his presentation of Beethoven X Coldplay that Sinfonia performed several seasons back, this takes Tchaikovsky’s epic 5th symphony and weaves elements of Drake’s music and lyrics in an ingenious manner. You have to experience it to understand how brilliant it is from the pure orchestral joy that radiates from Tchaikovsky to the vocalists and rap artist that correspond to Drake’s offerings, it is like nothing else you have witnessed.

You have expanded Sinfonia’s Music Education program this year by offering even more string programs, which are not offered in schools. As a musician, why should parents consider Sinfonia’s programs for their kids?

Sinfonia continues to fill a void by providing incredible and much-needed education offerings to our community, primarily in our Okaloosa and Walton County school districts. Our expanded beginning strings programs and youth orchestra programs have hit record enrollment numbers this school year and it is a program that is not offered by either district. In some cases our Link Up curriculum is the only arts education several schools have. It is important to continue to develop these programs and the support of our patrons enables this. In fact, we have hired two additional instructors for the strings and youth orchestra programs and will need several more if the trajectory of expansion continues. It is very rewarding to know that your organization is making an important difference in the community and enlightening young minds.
 
This year, the state of Florida cut $32 million from the cultural arts budget impacting organizations statewide. What can music lovers do to support Sinfonia Gulf Coast?

To be clear: the state of Florida did not cut these funds, Governor Ron DeSantis singlehandedly vetoed this line item from the state budget, directly going against the work of his state colleagues who, for months, diligently collaborated to approve funding for all of the arts organizations in Florida. Politics aside, this was a very short-sighted endeavor that has impacted 600 organizations and Florida’s economy considering cultural tourism provides nearly $6 billion to the economy each year. 

There are many ways to play your part. Beyond donating funds, you can show support by attending our concerts and events, or by sponsoring a single event or the entire season, whether as an individual or business owner. We also welcome volunteers and inquiries about joining our music education social group, the Treble Makers, or exploring leadership opportunities on our Board of Directors. Visit our website

(SinfoniaGulfCoast.org) and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get to know us and learn more.