Local Youth Musicians Off to London for Parade Performance

December 27, 2024 | Sarasota

Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is sponsoring two local high school bands – the Riverview High School Kiltie Band and Venice High School Band – as they prepare to perform at the New Year’s Day Parade in London. VSC has an agreement with both schools to support their participation and showcase Sarasota County’s identity as Florida’s Cultural Coast® through its youngest artists.

“We’re proud to support these talented young musicians with a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “Each of these schools has a celebrated tradition of musical excellence that’s cherished by our community – so much so, families choose to move here for these very programs. Heading to London is a unique moment for our youngest musicians to show their passion for arts with an audience of over 600,000,000 watching across the globe.”

Leading up to the visit, VSC collaborated with both bands to produce a video promoting their traditions of musical excellence and underscoring how Sarasota is the perfect destination for the next generation to practice, perform, and realize their artistic talents.

This sponsorship is the latest in a dedicated effort to present Florida’s Cultural Coast on the world stage. In late 2023, VSC hosted a group of writers from the United Kingdom and gave them a front-row seat to a handful of world-class, local institutions. In May 2024, the Sarasota Ballet performed at The Royal Opera House in London, where VSC brought together over 25 tour operators and media to share why Sarasota County is a must-experience destination. To date, this international campaign has generated more than 91 million media impressions and secured high-impact stories in Reuters News, BBC Radio London, and Wanderlust Magazine, among others.

“Sarasota’s recognition as Florida’s Cultural Coast continues to grow, and supporting programs like these helps to develop future generations of artists, musicians, and cultural enthusiasts,” said Duggan.

For more information about VSC’s commitment to arts and culture, visit FloridasCulturalCoast.com.