Strings Con Brio featured in Waterside Place's Sights and Sounds series

The all-volunteer string orchestra includes Lakewood Ranch residents.

By Lesley Dwyer
| 7:20 p.m. May 19, 2023

Country Club residents Maria and Marty Fullam are members of Strings Con Brio. They joined the orchestra a few months after moving to Lakewood Ranch.

East County
Neighbors

After Maria and Marty Fullam moved to the Country Club in Lakewood Ranch 18 months ago, it took them just three months to connect with Strings Con Brio.

Maria plays the violin, and Marty plays the bass and they were looking for a volunteer ensemble where they would feel comfortable.

On May 19, the couple was among 40 musicians with Strings Con Brio, which performed as part of the Sights and Sounds series at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

“We invited all of our neighbors and all the people I work with,” Maria Fullam said.

Strings Con Brio performs five shows a year, and each show takes about 12 rehearsals in preparation. For Sights and Sounds, they performed an homage to Rodgers and Hammerstein including songs from “South Pacific,” “The King and I” and “The Sound of Music.”

Country Club East resident and budding cellist Rob Bard was in the audience with his wife Mary.

“My teacher wanted me to join (Strings Con Brio), but COVID hit and things went south,” Bard said. “I said to him, ‘I’m a beginner,’ but he said, ‘That’s how you’ll learn.’ I’m here for the music tonight, but this might motivate me to join.”

Strings Con Brio accepts members of all ages and abilities. Prospective members will be asked to perform for Conductor Kenneth Bowermeister and Executive Director Monica Sirocchi, but it’s not an auditioned orchestra. The performance is only to figure out where a new member should be seated.

To join, send a message through the orchestra's website, StringsConBrio.org. Every applicant receives a welcome note in return.

Waterside Place hosted Strings Con Brio last in May.

Bradenton resident Chris Werner and Lakewood Ranch Country Club resident Francesca Matthews wait on the concert to start and the sun to set.

Lucy waits patiently while University Park residents Eileen and Merv Hamburg set up their seats.

Country Club East residents Deanne and Dan Stanek enjoy the music and cocktails, while Mia and Bailey await their next treats at Waterside Place.

Country Club East residents Mary and Rob Bard are at Waterside Place to see Strings Con Brio. Rob plays the cello.

This is the first Sights and Sounds concert that Country Club residents Ann Talley and Kathy Schloer have attended.

Palm Aire resident and Strings Con Brio member Nancy Dixon spots some friends in the audience.

Nancy Dixon and Richard Talbot greet each other with a hug. The old friends originally met in Massachusetts and were attending the concert at Waterside Place.

Residents gather at Waterside Place on May 18 for another installment of Sights and Sounds.

Michaeline Spencer and Trish Pearce travel from North Port to play with Strings Con Brio during the Sights and Sounds series at Waterside Place.

Strings Con Brio, a community ensemble, performs at Waterside Place on May 18 for the Sights and Sounds series.

Area residents fill the Waterside Place plaza for Sights and Sounds on Thursday night.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.