Music for Marianna - Frank and Maureen Hunt Bring World-Class Talent to Rural Northwest Florida

Marianna has always been a town rich in history, family, and community pride. Now, thanks to Frank and Maureen Hunt, it is also becoming a town where classical music and cultural opportunity are taking root in ways many never imagined possible.

Frank, a professional orchestral trumpet player and conductor, and Maureen, a professional cellist, have shared stages with some of the world’s most prestigious ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Their journey has carried them across continents, playing in European concert halls, joining impromptu ensembles in the parks of Shanghai, and leading youth orchestras through tours in Vienna and beyond. Yet, despite their globe-spanning careers, the Hunts have chosen Marianna as the place to “bloom where they are planted.”

The Hunts arrived in Jackson County after leaving the hectic Orlando area in search of a quieter pace of life and proximity to family. Initially, they considered settling in Niceville, but fate redirected them. After visiting communities across Northwest Florida, they chose Marianna. It was, as Frank explained, “big enough to have opportunity, but still small enough to feel like a true town.”

That choice has already borne fruit. Their Florida Music program (floridamusic.net) has quickly grown to nearly 60 students, offering lessons on virtually every instrument, from violin and cello to trumpet, piano, guitar, and even ukulele.

“Our youngest is around five years old,” Frank said, “and the oldest student right now is about 65. We really can cover all ages and all skill levels.”

This fall marks an exciting milestone: the Hunts are launching a youth-and-community orchestra. Eight young violinists and budding musicians have already signed up, auditioned and the group will begin rehearsals this week. Unlike traditional ensembles, this orchestra will be intergenerational. “It doesn’t matter your age,” Frank explained. “We just do a little audition to make sure you can play a bit, but nothing professional. It’s about coming together.”

Maureen believes this is only the beginning. “Thirty years from now, I believe we’ll be looking at the Marianna Intergenerational Symphony,” she said. “Right now, it’s small, but it feels historic, something we’re planting for the future.”

At the start, the orchestra will focus less on heavy classical repertoire and more on fun, recognizable music like film scores and familiar tunes. “Then, gradually,” Maureen smiled, “we’ll sprinkle in a little Bach.”

For the Hunts, music is more than performance, it’s about community. They envision their students not just playing concerts but also stepping into service. “We’d love to have the kids do 15–20-minute programs at local venues, churches, weddings, small events,” Maureen explained. “It gives them performance experience and connects them to the community.”

She added that students will also be encouraged to join in cleanup days, food drives, and other service projects. “It’s about more than playing well, it’s about using music as a bridge to the community.”

Frank agreed, noting that some of the most inspiring experiences of his career were in Europe, where music spilled out into the streets and public parks. “In Vienna, they would set up a huge screen and show an opera in the park, and hundreds of people would gather to watch together. That’s the kind of cultural richness we hope to bring here.”

The Hunts are no strangers to building musical programs from scratch. Before moving to Marianna, they ran a thriving after-school music business in South Florida called Music After School, employing over 26 instructors and serving 36 schools. At its peak, the program reached more than 2,000 children.

Frank beams when recalling that era. “Back when we started around 2002, hardly anyone was doing after-school programs. We were pioneers. Soon after, dance, gymnastics, and all sorts of programs followed our model.”

Now, with Florida Music, the Hunts are blending their professional experience with a personal mission. Their stated goal is simple yet powerful: “At Florida Music, our objective is to enrich lives, bring families together and soothe the soul. Music is magical and mighty. After marvelous experiences throughout the world, we find ourselves in Marianna, Florida, and we are doing what we always do, bloom where we are planted. For us, that means play on.”

Though they’ve only been in Marianna for two and a half years, Frank and Maureen have already built something extraordinary. Sixty students, a budding orchestra, and a vision for cultural engagement rooted in both service and artistry, this is not just a music program, but a movement.

 As Maureen put it, “What started as me thinking I’d just teach a handful of students for fun has grown into something much bigger. And it’s not just about us—it’s about creating something lasting for Marianna.”

For a rural community that has long prided itself on strong schools, hometown spirit, and neighborly ties, the addition of the Hunts’ vision offers something new: a chance to build a legacy of culture and music that will echo for generations.