Brevard Musicians Play ‘A Concert for Mary’
Seven musical groups come together November 12 to benefit severely injured horn player
(Suntree, FL) October 26, 2015 – No squabbling. No complaints. Much like brothers and sisters in crisis, the musical community of Brevard County is coming together to help one of their own. The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is leading the charge with A Concert for Mary on Thursday, November 12 at 7:00 PM at the Scott Center for the Performing Arts at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (5625 Holy Trinity Drive in north Melbourne, 32940). The concert will benefit Mary Murray Seal, a French horn player with the Space Coast Symphony and a nearly 30-year employee of Florida Today, the Gannett corporation-owned daily newspaper serving Brevard County. In early October, Mary fell from a horse while vacationing with family in Colorado. Now paralyzed from the chest down, the accident has left the always cheerful Melbourne wife and mother with mounting bills and an uncertain future. The unprecedented collaboration of the musical groups is a true testament to Mary, a Wisconsin native and diehard Green Bay Packers fan. For the price of a $25 ticket, the audience can hear a live performance by over 250 musicians from the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, the Central Florida Winds, the Melbourne Community Orchestra, the Indialantic Chamber Singers, Melbourne Municipal Band and Space Coast Flute Orchestra. In addition, Florida Today, the Daytona Beach News-Journal and Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy are all playing roles in the production of this concert, as is the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, where Mary’s son Zachary is a law enforcement officer. 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit Mary Seal and her family. Funds are needed to assist with transportation from Colorado, medical expenses not covered by insurance, her day-to-day care, home retrofits for wheelchair accessibility, and other necessary expenditures. Two websites are currently accepting donations on behalf of Mary Seal and her family, gofundme.com/sealedwith-akiss and booster.com/supporting-the-seal–family. $25 tickets to A Concert for Mary are available through the orchestra website atwww.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at the door. For more information, call toll free to 855-252-7276.
A long time friend of Mary Seal, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron Collins is making a personal plea for donations.
“Mary is one of the most caring, loving, and wonderful people we know,” said Collins. “She has been with our orchestra since we started in 2009. If you have been touched by one of her countless incredible performances, we ask for your generosity in this time of need. There are a lot of challenges ahead for Mary. We want to ensure her family is taken care of.”
Collins is hopeful that Mary, who sometimes played percussion, will return to the orchestra one day in that capacity.
“When that day comes, it will be an emotional homecoming for all of us.”
For more information about A Concert for Mary, please visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.
ABOUT MARY MURRAY SEAL –Mary has lived in Melbourne since 1983 with her husband, Tom, and an assortment of beagles. They have a son, Zachary, who works in law enforcement with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Mary graduated from The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with a degree in Music Education.
Mary has played horn with and serves on the Board of Directors of the Space Coast Symphony since its inception in 2009. She has played Horn with numerous ensembles in Wisconsin and Florida. Along with the Space Coast Symphony, these include the Chippewa Valley Symphony, Racine Symphony, Space Coast Pops, Central Florida Winds & Chamber Winds, Melbourne Municipal Band, Community Band of Brevard, and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Mary has also played percussion and trombone with various ensembles.
Mary is currently the Senior Finance Manager at The Daytona Beach News-Journal. She previously worked at Florida Today Newspaper for 30 years. She is a diehard Green Bay Packers fan and loves spending time with her friends. Mary comes from a large and caring family that she adores; it includes her mother, four sisters and two brothers.
ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.
33- year old Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements. LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor. Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra performs in several very comfortable venues in Brevard and Indian River counties, with advance general admission tickets priced at just $20. School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID. In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert.
Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. In addition to maintaining the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, the non-profit organization provides numerous separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276
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