TARPON SPRINGS, Florida – December 2nd, 2020, The Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble (TSOPE) has debuted The Hamilton Project, a groundbreaking show based on the Broadway musical phenomenon.
At the beginning of 2020, the nationally acclaimed Tarpon Springs Marching Band planned to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete for a national championship at the Bands of America Grand Nationals. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the Bands of America 2020 competition season, Director Kevin Ford and the leadership team had to develop a new plan. Rather than allowing the pandemic to limit what they would provide educationally for the students; they have worked around the challenges of this pandemic and have embarked on their most ambitious undertaking in the history of the program.
By design, precautions for COVID-19 safety have been written in seamlessly to the design of this production. Ford and the Design Team saw this as a creative opportunity where they would no longer be limited to the traditional rules and time limitations of marching band competition. TSOPE developed a 40-minute, two-act production that utilizes an entire football field. Musicians, dancers, and vocalists perform on a 60 yard, multi-level structure and a rotating center stage.
“I am incredibly proud of what these students have accomplished in 2020. We wanted to ensure that our students would be challenged by providing extremely demanding and memorable experiences that will serve them well as they pursue their future educational and professional opportunities. Despite the challenges that we are facing as nation, we have adapted to this situation and the students are achieving something that has never been done on this level,” said Kevin Ford, Director of the Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts.
TSOPE will be performing The Hamilton Project to limited audiences into December. Performance dates and times can be found at www.tarponspringsband.com
About Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts
The Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts is a nationally recognized program that provides an integrated, seamless curriculum in academics, instrumental music, technology, and leadership skills. More information can be found at www.tarponspringsband.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ken Gibson
727-619-9921
publicity@tarponspringsband.com
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