The Floridant - New York Classical Players Perform for Dunbar Middle School

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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridant -- Middle school students of Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School in Fort Myers had a rare opportunity to hear a world-class musical ensemble March 9 when the New York Classical Players performed a private concert and interactive program for the students in the school cafeteria.

Students clapped their hands, strummed along with their fingers and asked questions of the New York Classical Players who were brought to the school courtesy of the Fort Myers Community Concert Association as part of its outreach program for Lee County public school students. The concert also was made possible by a grant from the Rotary Club of Fort Myers.

More than 300 students attended the afternoon concert.

"We provide seats for each of our concerts at no cost to students in Lee County public schools, but we realize that not all students have the ability to get to our weeknight performances. To expose as many young people as possible to classical music, our Board of Directors decided to take some of our concerts to the students," said Community Concert Association President Mary Lee Mann.

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Mann said the Community Concert Association Board of Directors chose the New York Classical Players because of their outstanding record of working with students of all ages. The group performed for 1,200 people at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall later that evening.

The New York Classical Players is a 21-piece chamber orchestra founded in New York in 2010. The chamber orchestra is comprised of dynamic young musicians who are launching their professional careers. Graduates of some of the world's leading conservatories come together as The New York

Classical Players to share performances of familiar masterpieces, bold new commissions and unexpected musical treasures with the public. The orchestra is under the direction of Founder and Music Director Dongmin Kim and a committed board of directors guides and supports the non-profit organization.

For the student concert, the group played Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Amazing Grace variations and Haydn Symphony No. 44 in addition to solos for French horn, oboe and violin.

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For more information, visit www.fortmyerscommunityconcerts.org

About the Fort Myers Community Concert Association

The Fort Myers Community Concert Association, now in its 73rd concert season, is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization founded by the legendary Barbara B. Mann in 1949 to bring world-class entertainment to Southwest Florida at affordable prices. The association consists of more than 1,200 members, underwriters and sponsors. Performers brought to Fort Myers in the past by the association include The Israel Ballet, The Boston Brass, Violin Virtuoso Itzhak Perlman, Cleveland Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, Pianist Andre Watts, Violinist Joshua Bell with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and many others.