Buffet Crampon USA Teams with Local Jacksonville Charity for Clarinet Donation

Sophia Spencer

Buffet Crampon USA, North American distributor for Buffet Crampon clarinets, recently partnered with Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, to donate an R13 professional B-flat clarinet to 17-year-old Sophia Spencer of St. Marys, Georgia. Sophia is battling cystic fibrosis and plays clarinet as part of her therapy against the life-threatening disorder affecting the lungs. Dreams Come True of Jacksonville is northeast Florida’s dream-granting organization for children battling life-threatening medical conditions. 

Sophia was presented with her new R13 clarinet by Buffet Crampon USA President and CEO François Kloc at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra concert on May 24. The presentation was kept secret from Sophia and she was surprised with her new instrument at the beginning of the concert. When asked about the R13 clarinet making her dream come true, Sophia replied, “I was completely fooled; it was a pleasant surprise. May 24 will go down as a special day in history for me.” 

“Dreams Come True is so grateful to Buffet Crampon USA for donating the clarinet for Sophia’s dream. We could not have delivered more than 4,800 dreams through the years without strong partners, like Buffet Crampon USA, who help us make it happen,” Executive Director Ann Valent stated. “Each dream is unique and it’s an honor to bring hope and joy to a talented musician, like Sophia. We look forward to celebrating with Buffet Crampon USA and Sophia’s family as she competes in (the) Miss Georgia (Pageant) this summer and then on to Georgia Tech in the fall.” 

François Kloc, on the R13 clarinet presentation to Sophia: “Buffet Crampon USA is proud to make this R13 clarinet donation on Sophia’s behalf. Partnering with Dreams Come True to make Sophia’s dream a reality reminds us of the power of music and the joy it can bring. We hope Sophia’s new clarinet brings her many years of wonderful music-making.” 

Buffet Crampon USA, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is the North American distributor of Buffet Crampon, Besson, B&S, Antoine Courtois Paris, Hans Hoyer, Julius Keilwerth, Melton Meinl Weston, Parmenon, Powell Flutes Boston, Rigoutat, J. Scherzer and W. Schreiber musical instruments. For more information on Buffet Crampon and its twelve brands, please visit www.buffetcrampongroup.com. 

To learn more about Dreams Come True of Jacksonville, which is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, please visit https://dreamscometrue.org/