I hear a symphony. . .
World-renown for offering cultural events that are second to none.

The state of Florida provides music lovers with some of the best ensembles, productions, and symphony orchestras in North America. Treat yourself with some soothing sounds found here. . .

[Pensacola] Pensacola Symphony
The impulse for classical music in Pensacola was a matter of need, not luxury. It began in 1926 with John Borjes' Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra that provided concerts for the entire community, and with Edwin Northrup's small informal group that played for the sheer enjoyment of music. With Borjes, a native of Germany who had studied at the renowned conservatory in Leipzig, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra has its roots in the great tradition of classical music.
Today the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra is at a defining moment in its 81-year history. Audiences have grown to more than 30,000 people each year, including attendance at Whitney Bank Masterworks, Silver Bullet Pensacola POPS!, Pensacola Business Journal Masterwork Matinees, International Paper Stained Glass, GE Music for Families, and other performances at the Saenger Theatre, and around the community.
850-435-2533 | www.pensacolasymphony.com

[Gainesville] University of Florida Symphony Orchestra
The University Symphony Orchestra at the University of Florida is dedicated to the learning of symphonic music through performance and committed to the promotion of new, noteworthy, and overlooked works. The literature includes orchestral and choral masterworks, ballets, and operas, from the 18th century to the present, by composers of all nations and both genders.
Dr. Raymond Chobaz, Music Director, and Conductor of the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra from 1983 until 2001, began his piano studies at the age of seven with Martha von Stephanovich in his native Basel, Switzerland. At 16, he was accepted as a private student into the studio of Francois Gaudard until the completion of his Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude at the Realgymnasium in Basel. After military service in the Swiss Army, he entered the Conservatory and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in music theory summa cum laude. At the University of Utah, he received both a Master of Music in conducting under Joseph Rosenstock, and a Doctor of Philosophy in composition under Ramiro Cortes and Vladimir Ussachevsky.
352-392-0223 | www.arts.ufl.edu/orchestra

[Ocala] Central Florida Symphony Orchestra
The Central Florida Symphony Orchestra, Inc., a non-profit organization, had a humble beginning in 1975, when a group of dedicated musicians and public-spirited citizens set about to create a symphonic orchestra for the area. In the fall of 1976 a four-concert subscription season was initiated - a format that continues to this day.
In addition to the regular concert schedule, the Orchestra has performed special free concerts, in cooperation with the City of Ocala and the Marion County Public School System. Since 1992, the CFSO has sponsored a Young Artist Competition to seek out talented young musicians, who are recognized by an invitation to perform with the orchestra after intense auditions.
In addition, the Symphony performs the annual "Symphony Under the Lights" community concert on Ocala's Historic Downtown Square, which takes place in December.
The Orchestra has also been invited to perform at many special events sponsored by other local organizations, and each year on Mother's Day, the Orchestra performs at Fine Arts for Ocala's "Symphony Under the Stars".
352-351-1606 | www.cfsymphony.com

[Sarasota] Florida West Coast Symphony
In the fall of 1948, Mrs. Thomas W. Butler, a Sarasota music teacher, imagined how pleasant it would be to have an orchestra in her own community. She enlisted the support of Dr. W.D. Sugg, and J. Lorton Francis of Bradenton, and George Gibbs, a businessman, and amateur musician from Venice. Their combined tenacity produced the debut concert of the Florida West Coast Symphony on March 12, 1949.
Under the direction of its first conductor, Alexander Bloch, the Symphony grew at an astonishing rate and demonstrated its commitment to community service by quickly establishing a youth scholarship fund in 1951 and initiating public school Children's Concerts in 1953.
In 1996, a national search process resulted in the appointment of Leif Bjaland as the fourth artistic director and conductor in the Symphony's history. With a clear artistic vision, a group of talented musicians and an eye toward changing demographics, the Florida West Coast Symphony continues to see a bright future as it embarks on its 21st century odyssey of presenting great classical music on Florida's west coast.
In a unique collaboration with the visual arts, the Florida West Coast Symphony exhibits the works of talented local artists from September through April in its Harmony Gallery.
941-953-4252 | www.fwcs.org

[St. Petersburg] Florida Orchestra
In its 40th season and under the leadership of Music Director Stefan Sanderling, The Florida Orchestra is recognized as Tampa Bay's leading performing arts institution, one of the leading professional symphony orchestras in Florida, and one of the best regional orchestras in America. In fact, in 2003, the American Record Guide said, "The Florida Orchestra is now positioned to attain the next stage of recognition, on the national and worldwide level."
With 80 professional musicians, the orchestra performs more than 150 concerts annually in the tri-city area of Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg. Concert series include the Progress Energy Masterworks, free Target Pops in the Parks, and youth concerts.
German-born conductor Stefan Sanderling is currently music director of The Florida Orchestra, music director of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and principal conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.
Since his North American debut at the 1989 Tanglewood Summer Music Festival, he has quickly risen to the top of the young generation of German conductors and has led such prestigious North American orchestras as the Los Angeles hilharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, the Montreal Symphony, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, and the orchestras of Indianapolis, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Buffalo to name only a few.
800-662-7286 | 813-286-2403 | www.floridaorchestra.org

[Venice] The Venice Symphony
Along Florida's "Cultural Coast", the Venice Symphony has become the pride of South Sarasota County. Both residents and visitors fill its performance hall for six sets of concerts each year, December through April. Providing cultural enhancement through its various performances of classical works and "pops" selections, the Venice Symphony has been proclaimed a "Cultural Gem" of Venice and South Sarasota County.
Conductor Wesley John Schumacher, who is currently celebrating his 20th year with the Symphony, charms the audiences with entertaining and informative comments about the compositions and their composers.
In addition to its event calendar, The Symphony is involved in school concerts, classroom presentations, music appreciation education, performances with other local performing groups, a musical instrument Petting Zoo, ensemble performances, a Sunday small ensemble music series, various community activities, assisting teachers in the schools, and summer music camp. A free outdoor pops concert is presented each spring
Under the current leadership of Maestro Schumacher and with the support of generous friends and patrons, The Venice Symphony provides music for the community that represents the highest quality of musicianship and professionalism.
941-488-1010 | www.thevenicesymphony.org

[Fort Myers] Southwest Florida Symphony
The Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra made its initial debut as a community orchestra in 1961. Conducted by Arlo Deibler, the Symphony had 24 musicians and performed throughout local community centers and schools. A year later, the Symphony Chorus was formed and the organization became known as the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Association. Maestro Deibler went on to lead the Symphony for 25 years before passing the baton to Joseph Egger, who continued with the Symphony for the next four seasons.
As Lee County's premier professional orchestra, the Symphony offers concerts across five series including Classical, Pops, Sanibel, Stained Glass, and the new Symphony Around Town, which will take to the local communities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Estero. Performing groups include the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Chorus, Chamber Chorus, the Youth Orchestra, and the Children's Chorus.
239-418-1500 | www.swflso.org

[Naples] Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts
The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra debuted in 1982, performing in churches on Marco Island, and at the Naples High School auditorium. Since the opening of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in 1989, the orchestra has grown into an internationally recognized ensemble with musicians from all regions of the United States, Europe, China, and Russia.
Each season, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra performs more than 150 concerts, which include classical, pops, ballet, chamber, and family programs.
In recent years, the orchestra has also been invited to accompany renowned artists including Luciano Pavarotti (in his first Florida concert in five years), Andrea Bocelli, Kiri Te Kanawa, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and the Monte Carlo Ballet.
In November 2004, Jorge Mester debuted as the orchestra's new music director. Maestro Mester, one of the world's most dynamic conductors, is conductor laureate of the prestigious Aspen Music Festival, which he led for 21 years. He also serves as music director of the Louisville Orchestra, and the Pasadena Symphony, a post he has held since 1984.
800-597-1900 | 239-597-1900 | www.thephil.org

[Melbourne] Brevard Symphony Orchestra
2008-2009 marks the 55th season of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. The BSO is the Space Coast's only professional classical orchestra and is the orchestra in residence at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne.
Under the baton of Music Director/Principal Conductor Christopher Confessore, the BSO is one of the leading arts organizations in the community. Beginning as a small volunteer orchestra organized to perform for Northrop Grumman's Glee Club, today this 70 member orchestra performs evening and matinees subscription concerts each season, offering additional performances in nearby Indian River County. Maestro Confessore programs a variety of selections from traditional classical works to more modern day compositions that are both challenging for the musicians and engaging for the audience. Free Outreach Concerts are offered annually which include a 4th of July Pops Concert at Cocoa Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village with a spectacular fireworks display.
In recent years the Brevard Symphony Orchestra has performed with legendary classical and pops artists Itzak Perlman, Marvin Hamlisch, Joshua Bell, Art Garfunkel and more.
321-242-2024 | www.brevardsymphony.com

[Daytona Beach] Daytona Beach Symphony Society
The Daytona Beach Symphony Society has been providing Volusia County residents and visitors with the finest in orchestral music, dance, and opera. The symphony is renowned for bringing artists of International acclaim to the area including Van Cliburn, Itshak Perlman, James Galway, Sarah Chang, and Joshua Bell, as well as world-renowned orchestras such as the Saint Louis Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Orpheus, Czech Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Boston Pops.
386-253-2901 | www.dbss.org

[Pompano Beach] Symphony of the Americas
The Symphony celebrates its 20th Anniversary milestone this season, bringing the best of classical music to the multi-cultural population of South Florida with its Int'l Guest Artist Series at Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
The Symphony's activities are three-fold: Guest Artist Subscription and outreach concerts during the regular season; a myriad of educational programs of ensembles and full orchestra; and the int'l renowned Summerfest, hosting an acclaimed European chamber orchestra each summer joined by selected members of the SOA for concerts throughout Florida and the Americas under Maestro Brooks-Bruzzese's baton. The Symphony takes a leadership role in cultural relations, initiating musical exchanges, reaching 35,000 people throughout Europe and the Americas.
The SOA remains dedicated to improving the lives of children through the magic of musical investigations, in both Florida and the Americas. Young children and families learn about musical instruments in programs such as "Peanut Butter"N Jamboree" or "Jack O Lantern JamBoree" family concerts with musicians and audience in costume.
As a collaborator, the Symphony performs outreach concerts in several cities of the tri-county area - all woven into the fabric of our community in parks, community centers, museums and libraries, and cultural arts series.
954-545-0088 | www.symphonyoftheamericas.org

[Fort Lauderdale] Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra
The Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra is a unique South Florida orchestra of professional, conservatory, and gifted secondary school students, rehearsing and performing side-by-side. As role models, the professionals demonstrate high quality musical performance and model professional behavior standards for students.
The orchestra program includes a wide variety of challenging repertoire, including world premieres of new music. An annual concerto competition provides high school students, of any instrument, the opportunity to perform with the orchestra.
The orchestra strives to include in its audience those who might have little occasion to interact with the classics. Speaking from the podium and inviting the audience to interact with musicians following performances are practices, which make the classics more accessible.
Since its inception, one of the unique things about Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra is that it has helped humanitarian organizations through donated performances. For the past three years, Ars Flores has traveled to Cayman, Jamaica, and Atlanta, Georgia for humanitarian trips to help raise money for the poor.
954-764-4455 | www.arsflores.com

[Miami] Miami Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1989 by Maestro Manuel Ochoa, the Orchestra has been providing professional classical music experiences for Miami-Dade for 18 seasons.
With 80 professional musicians, selected from the finest artists from around the world and across the United States, the Symphony, now the city's flagship orchestra, represents exceptional talent and diversity that mirrors Miami's own international, multicultural richness.
Each season, the Miami Symphony Orchestra presents 12 concerts; six at UM/Gusman Hall in Coral Gables, and six at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach. Concert programs reflect the full range of the classical canon, interwoven with newer works by contemporary composers, including national and world premieres.
Since 1997, the Miami Symphony has presented an in-school arts and education program for elementary students in Miami-Dade Public Schools. Recently, the Symphony treated music students at South Miami Middle School to an electrifying musical experience with performances by A Time for Three, one of America's most outstanding string trios. As part of its community education and outreach focus, the Symphony provides free or low cost seating to ensure students and senior citizens have access to professional classical music experiences of the highest quality.
305-275-5666 | www.miamisymphony.org

[Key West} Key West Symphony Orchestra
The Key West Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Keys only professional symphonic orchestra, has been performing to sell-out crowds at the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West for the last 10 years.
Under the masterful guidance of the symphony's nationally recognized conductor and musical director, Sebrina Maria Alfonso, professional musicians from around the country join internationally renowned soloists in these exciting performances, which have become the pride of Key West.
Alfonso made her New York debut conducting the American Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall in 1994, where New York critics called her unique conducting style "dynamic" and "commanding". When selected as a prizewinner in the prestigious Stokowski International Competition, the New York Times observed, "Ms. Alfonso was overwhelmingly favored by the audience."
Alfonso made history in 2002 as the first Cuban-American to be invited to conduct the National Orchestra of Cuba in Havana, an event that was televised and broadcast by radio throughout Cuba. Her many musical credits include guest conducting for the Prague Radio Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic, but her favorite orchestra remains the orchestra she founded, the Key West Symphony Orchestra.
305-292-1774 | www.keywestsymphony.com