Joshua Vickery the founder and Executive Director
Central Florida Community Arts suggested I sketch a dress rehearsal for a big orchestra concert called Symphonic Cinema. This concert featured film scores and movie music and was truly EPIC.
The concert was at the huge Calvary Assembly Orlando (1199 Clay St Winter Park, Florida 32789). I parked in a smallish lot and made my way inside as people exited from what looked like a yoga class. There was a large open floor space but the room was empty. A gentleman offered me assistance in finding the Symphony rehearsal and he said, “It is a good thing you are wearing hiking boots because it is quite a hike to the main worship hall. As I walked up to that main entrance I realized I was in the right place because lots of musicians dressed in black were carting their instrument cases inside.
Joshua introduced me to the marketing director, Matt Heim who suggested I sit on the upper level to get an overview of the stage. The stage was incredibly large to accommodate the 150 piece orchestra along with a huge chorus illuminated red behind them. To me the stage resembled shark jaws with the black curtains acting a sharp teeth. Sure enough, Jaws was one of the scores that was being rehearsed. Lighting was being worked out o the theater went completely dark on occasion and I had to find ways to keep the sketch moving forward. The chorus was let go while the orchestra worked on various cinema scores. A large still from the musical La La Land was on the screens above the orchestra as they performed. The images changed for each new score. Last of the Mohicans was followed by Prince of Egypt. For one number the entire orchestra marched up the aisles of the auditorium to give the audience a taste of surround sound.
Directing such a huge group of artists must be a Herculean task. The director spoke quickly and succinctly to keep the rehearsal moving at the needed fast clip. My sketch ended as the orchestra was given a 15 minute break. They were going to then do a full run through of the show but I decided one sketch was enough. I could tell that the concert would be epic. All who attended would have experienced an unforgettable concert. BIG things are happening in Orlando.
