A lifelong love of music and community fuel her spirit. Sara Cowley is bringing those loves to bear as the new artistic director of South Florida Pride Bands.
“I’m excited to step into this role,” she said.
Cowley takes over the job this Saturday at The Parker during The XL Concert: 40 Years of Musical Excellence. Although she has been with the bands for a decade including a long stint as the assistant artistic director, she knows butterflies are in the emotional forecast.
“When I’m waiting in the wings to go on. A lot of it will feel the same. But when I look to the left and right and it’s just me, that’s going to be it,” she said, anticipating the moment before she takes the stage.
Cowley has an extensive music background. She was a music teacher who led marching bands, a jazz band and more. Her personal journey began at age three, when her grandmother started giving her piano lessons. In fourth grade she picked up the trumpet and started percussion in high school. From there she obtained her B.S. and masters from the Frost School of Music at University of Miami.
She takes the baton from Dan Bassett, Pride Bands leader for 20 years. To help ensure a seamless transition, he approached Cowley two years ago about taking over for him. You can assume he gave retiring plenty of thought before that discussion, making Bassett’s endorsement even more special.
“He saw something in me. He trusted me early on and I’ve learned a lot from him, from programming to choosing special pieces,” she said. “He has brought the band so far in quality, numbers, performance venues. Dan’s still very much going to be a part of my planning and thought processes. He had a vision and he was able to entirely execute on all of that.”
So, what are her plans and thoughts for the future? Cowley has a plan.
“I want to innovate, bring in some electronic components, modern composers and different themes.”
The community is key to growing the bands.
“I would like to incorporate local band directors more and have one come in each concert to conduct a piece.”
Cowley’s personal passions will likely show up in future shows. She loves Broadway tunes, film scores and soundtracks, and, as a child of the nineties, “anything early 2000s or ‘90s music is my jam.”
As for this weekend, the show will feature special performers and guests including multi-hyphenate Miss Bouvèé, Kareema Khouri, Matt Bischoff, and FLoatarama soloist competition winner Christian Califano.
For more information and tickets, visit SouthFloridaPrideBands.org.
