HUCKABEE SUPPORTS SINFONIA— and whoever can beat Obama
Former Arkansas Governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee made an appearance Tuesday night at a private Sandestin residence in support of Sinfonia.
The meet and greet with Huckabee was held at the home of Sinfonia board member Gale Culling and was attended by approximately 60 guests who paid between $50 and $250 for the opportunity to mingle with the Huckabee and support a worthy cause.
The Fox News host moved freely about the home and chatted with guests for more than an hour, discussing everything from living in South Walton to presidential politics.
One question he wouldn’t answer was who he is backing in the crowded Republican field in 2012.
Huckabee said he is not supporting anyone yet, but he would consider backing anyone who can defeat President Barack Obama.
He then addressed the group about his passion for the arts and music in schools.
Everyone knows that Huckabee plays guitar, but not many realize what a vital role it played in his early development.
Huckabee related to the group a story about how when he was 11, he wanted an electric guitar.
"At 11, you don't realize your parents are poor; you just know you want a guitar," he said to chuckles from the crowd.
He got his guitar. His parents ordered it from J.C. Penney and it took them a year to pay for the instrument, which cost $99.
"At that age, I was incredibly bashful," recounts Huckabee. "But learning to play that guitar and playing it in front of people resulted in my bashfulness dissipating. If it had not been for my experience as a kid with music, I would not have gone on to accomplish the things I have.”
While governor of Arkansas, the state became one of the few to mandate art and music be taught as part of the regular curriculum.
"One in 10 kids drags through their courses because they are bored," said Huckabee. "They are right brained. In America we cut music and the arts because we say we can't afford it. I say we can't not afford it. It's a sin against a child if each child's gift is not unlocked. It can make the difference in changing someone's life.
“Music is about enjoyment and pleasure and one of the great civilizing forces in this country,” Huckabee continued. “Music serves as a common ground in making connections between people. Music is magic. It's a passion for me. I can't play tackle football any more, but I can play music for the rest of my life."
With this passion in mind, Huckabee praised Sinfonia's music director and conductor Demetrius Fuller for his great leadership and vision in bringing cultural awareness to the area and helping build a great area in which to live.
"Congratulations on a job well done," he said.
For the past six years, Sinfonia musicians and guest artists have gone into area schools to do demonstrations and conduct master classes throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties.
"We have served more than 30,000 kids in less than six years," said Fuller.
Coming on board as new president of Sinfonia's board is Nitin Bawa, who issued the invitation to Huckabee for the meet and greet. He also praised Fuller for the amazing job he has done in bringing in nationally-known names to the area and bringing the community together.
"Music is important to the community," said Bawa.
Bawa introduced the 44th governor of Arkansas, who, during his tenure was named by Time magazine as one of the top five governors in the country.
Following the governor's talk, a lit chocolate cake was brought out and all sang "happy birthday," and Ron Adams took a seat at the piano to play a couple of tunes. Huckabee's birthday was Wednesday.
The fundraiser brought in nearly $5,000 for Sinfonia.
Huckabee appeared and spoke at the event free of charge.
The event was catered by Tammy d'Agostino of the Eventful Planner.
"I thought that it was a great evening," said Fuller.
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