AMELIA ISLAND, Fl. — January 10, 2008 — Mike Spino has been appointed General Manager of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival (AICMF), Katharine B Monahan, President of the Festival’s Board of Directors, announced today. Spino will be responsible for all operations of the highly regarded, multi-week event, including planning, venue preparation, sales, public relations and administration. Monahan noted “Mike brings proven management skills and a genuine love for chamber music to the Festival. We are pleased to bring him into our organization.”
Christopher Rex, Artistic and General Director of the Festival also expressed pleasure with the appointment, saying “We’re fortunate to have someone who combines a strong management background with a passion for chamber music joining the team.”
Spino moved to Fernandina Beach from Columbus, Ohio in 2006 with his wife, Susan Henderson, after a long public service career. Both served as Festival volunteers throughout 2007. Spino has served in several management positions with the State of Ohio, including senior analyst for the state budget office and Chief of Staff for the Ohio Department of Education. He holds a Masters degree in public administration as well as a Bachelors degree from Ohio State University. Mr. Spino said “I look forward to building on the tremendous success of the previous festivals. The Board, Christopher Rex, and the volunteers in our community have set a world class standard for chamber music on Amelia Island. I will work hard to preserve and enhance that tradition”
AICMF 2008 Dates Set: Seventh Concert Season will run May 30 – June 15
The AICMF also announced today that its 2008 concert season will begin May 30 and continue through June 15th. Concerts will be held across Amelia Island, including a free concert in Fernandina’s Central Park on June 1. Among the artists expected at this year’s performances are the Guarneri String Quartet, Andreas Haeflinger, pianist, and Robert McDuffie, violinist.
AICMF will continue its education program in 2008 by bringing emerging and master musicians to the island to work with local students. In 2007 the festival attracted over 70 musicians and more than 2,700 guests.
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, under the artistic direction of Christopher Rex, Principal Cello in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Cello Chair of the McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University, is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Entering its seventh season, the nationally renowned Festival is dedicated to bringing classical music at the highest level to the general public, schools, and senior centers of Amelia Island and surrounding communities of northeastern Florida. Tickets will go on sale in April and can be purchased at the Festival office in Fernandina Beach. For more information visit the AICMF website at www.AICMF.com.