2020-21 VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER ROSTER Seraphic Fire’s volunteers are an indispensable part of our organizational success. Volunteers create a warm, welcoming environment for our patrons by answering questions and assisting with programs, ticketing, and seating during concerts. Ellen Anderson Jane Andersen Glenda Carr Eugene Donaldson Bruce Dory Helen Franklin Joan and Paul Gluck Miguel Gonzalez Natalie Gonzalez Sue Groskreutz
Elisa Halliley Jill Harrington Carol Lang Nellie Lopez Susan Mattes Lucia Minervini Heather Osowiecki Karen Picciano David Piriano Anita Platt
Cecilia Rodriguez Chris Rudd Eric Runyan Kurt Schubert Barbara Soliday John Soliday Vera Stein Kristian Toimil
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT BARBARA AND JOHN SOLIDAY
A SPECIAL GOODBYE
We sing in the Coral Gables First United Methodist Church choir and when we learned that Seraphic Fire had made their home at our church, we immediately stepped in to assist as hosts for their first concert in our sanctuary. We have rarely missed a concert since. We have been joined, year after year, by a delightful group of enthusiastic volunteers who are also music connoisseurs, devoted to making sure the choir’s hundreds of patrons and fans have an unforgettable experience. These volunteers, along with the irreplaceable Patrick Dupré Quigley and Joanne Schulte, and Seraphic Fire’s exceptionally friendly board, patrons, staff and world-class musicians have continued to be dear friends.
EUGENE DONALDSON Seraphic Fire staff were saddened to learn of the passing of Eugene Donaldson in February 2021. Eugene served many years as one of our most dedicated volunteer ushers. Staff member Eric Rubio reflected: “Eugene was a regular presence at our venues across Miami-Dade County. If we found ourselves short-staffed even the afternoon before a concert, Eugene would make himself available that evening. One of the last messages I received from him, last fall, was a promise to make himself available once we resumed our in-person concerts. He loved all the music Seraphic Fire performed, and we will miss him in our audiences.” 32
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II, ISSUE II
Our teaching and administrative positions at the University of Miami involve travel across the US and Europe. We attend concerts in Europe’s great cathedrals, palaces, opera houses, concert halls, and theatres: from Moscow to Budapest to Prague to Berlin to Munich to Paris to London; Amsterdam to Vienna to Salzburg to Venice to Florence to Rome. We have never experienced another musical group that matches the goose-bump magical sounds of Seraphic Fire performing in Miami. The high point of our diverse, international, musical world continues to be Miami’s dazzling Seraphic Fire. Being there for the musicians, staff, board, patrons, subscribers, new or returning guests has become one of our most rewarding contributions to the local artistic scene.
