By Kathy L. Collins
On November 22, you can be a part of the debut concert of the Tampa Bay Music Society (TBMS) at Spoto High School beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Spoto High School is located at 8538 Eagle Palm Dr. in Riverview. Proceeds from the debut concert will benefit the Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.
You will be treated to symphony music from your favorite movie soundtracks including Star Trek, Harry Potter, West Side Story, Pirates of the Caribbean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sleeping Beauty and more! According to Ellis, “These soundtracks are their favorites too, but they were chosen to give people of all ages a piece they can relate to and enjoy.”
TBMS was founded in September of this year by Christie Ellis (Executive Director) and Nelson Rodriguez-Parada (Creative Director). According to Ellis, “TBMS was formed by my partner and I with two goals in mind. The first goal is to improve our community through charitable donations. These donations will be raised through ticket sales to benefit concerts and other musical endeavors. The second goal is to give musicians in the area a place to come together and make amazing music with great people. We do this by providing a safe, fun and professional environment for rehearsals and concerts.”
“The Manatee Hospital at Tampa Lowry’s Park Zoo is the only non-profit manatee hospital in the world specifically dedicated to the treatment of these endangered animals,” said Ellis. “It was originally constructed in 1990 and needs upgrades. The purpose of TBMS is to improve the Tampa Bay community through benefit concerts. What better way to show the community who we are and what we can do than to benefit the manatee population which is near and dear to all of our hearts,” added Ellis.
TBMS is comprised of 50 musicians who are all volunteers and range in age and skill and include high school students, college students, music teachers and professional musicians.
Tickets to the first benefit concert of the TBMS can be purchased online at http://www.tampabaymusicsociety.com.
