Joey’s Seafood Shack owners Kimmy Coveny and Joseph Fenyak hosted two sold-out evenings at their third annual “Little Night of Music” dinners last week, with proceeds and donations benefiting the Vero Beach High School Orchestra. Music was provided during the five-course gourmet dinner by talented members of The Coastal Quartet – violinists Samuel Bormett, Noah Lanier and Daniel Beal, and cellist Leif Clark.
Orchestra director Matt Stott would like to try scheduling a major trip for students every three years, such as the 2014 trip to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Setting its sights farther afield, the orchestra is planning ahead to a 2017 trip to Europe.
“We are so excited that the kids will be able to explore and perform in Europe,” said Coveny. “The Kennedy Center was fantastic but Europe is going to be an experience that some of these kids would never be able to fathom without the support of our community.”
Stott is currently reviewing offers from several performance tour companies, including concert venues in Italy, Vienna, Prague and Germany. Depending on the number of students and locations visited, costs are anticipated to be roughly $4,000 per student, plus special care costs for instrument transport.
“We’re negotiating,” said Stott. “They offer a great opportunity, but we want to make sure we’ve got the best value.”
The hope is that about 60 students will be able to make the trip, but before then members of the orchestra and their families will be hosting many more fundraisers to make their dream a reality. Students would also have to commit to after-school practice throughout the year.
“We’re looking forward to the experience of playing for a different culture,” said Jamie Vazquez, who assisted at the fundraising dinner with fellow orchestra members Kyle Juarez, Marianna Forero and Lauren Amos. The foursome said they found the concept of experiencing the rest of the world “both exhilarating and frightening.”
Checks can be dropped off at Joey’s Seafood Shack or the high school. For additional information, contact Matt Stott at 772-564-5458.
