Special events complement the vibrant concerts included in the Sarasota Orchestra's standard series.

Family Concert: Sights and Sounds of the Circus

September 11, 2010
2pm | John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

In a collaboration with the Ringling Museum, the Sarasota Orchestra performs the family concert Sights and Sounds of the Circus at the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets ($10) include concert and Museum admission. Step right up for an afternoon of music and museum fun with the music of the big top. From the traditional circus parade anthem Entry of the Gladiators to Barnum & Bailey’s Favorites, Dance of the Tumblers and The Comedians, circus fans of all ages will be bouncing in their seats. Come early or stay late, your ticket includes Museum admission and Family Day activities. Get creative at the Art Cart in the Circus Museum and then complete the Big & Small Look and Find to win a prize. Call the Historic Asolo Theater Box office 941-360-7399, or on-line at www.ringling.org for more information.

Portraits in Passion

September 25, 2010
8pm | Sarasota Opera House

Four Sarasota Orchestra musicians take center stage to shine. See their life stories in short video presentations. Hear spectacular solo performances on harp, cello, horn and bassoon. This unique concert experience brings multimedia, storytelling and superb performances together in one memorable evening. The concert opens with Randall Woolf’s Where the Wild Things Are. This new work, influenced by the popular children’s book and adapted from the ballet, will be performed for the first time ever by a symphony orchestra. More powerful than a locomotive, the concert closes on Michael Daugherty’s Superman inspired Oh Lois! Only kryptonite should keep you from this concert!

Family Concert: Holiday Concert at Mote

December 21, 2010
2pm | Mote Marine

Admission for the day at Mote Marine during this holiday school vacation day includes so much more than manatees. Enjoy a full holiday concert experience near the shark tank. A festive program for the young and young-at-heart, the concert includes the Suite from Polar Express, Sleigh Ride, White Christmas, A Christmas Festival (sing-a-long) and Festive Sounds of Hanukah. Folding in music themed for the aquarium, the audience will hear The Penguin and hornpipe from Water Music. Call Mote Marine Aquarium for ticket information: (941) 388-4441.

Side by Side: The Thrill of a Lifetime

February 28, 2011
7:30pm | Neel

The professional musicians of the Orchestra perform Side-by-Side with the Youth Philharmonic. See the future of great music with special solos from the winners of the Edward and Ida Wilkof Young Artist Concerto Competition.

Family Concert: Sounds of Nature

March 3, 2011
7pm | South Florida Museum

Two resident ensembles of the Sarasota Orchestra, the Sarasota String Quartet and the Sarasota Wind Quintet, take on the challenge of depicting nature through music. This unique program will be both delightful and moving, as it features images in the Planetarium setting. Call South Florida Museum for ticket information: (941) 746-4131.

Behind the Mask Gala

March 5, 2011
6pm | Ritz

Unmask your passions with Maestro Leif Bjaland, the Sarasota Orchestra and celebrated Broadway performers in a dazzling, magical event celebrating the music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and selections from current Broadway hits.

Bach to Rock

March 6, 2011
4pm | Holley Hall

The Sarasota Brass Quintet starts with a traditional Bach fugue. The concert includes performances of rock classics Bohemian Rhapsody and Purple Haze. In between, the audience will hear a world premiere of Gwyneth Walker's Circus of Creation for Brass Quintet, percussion and narrator.

New Music: Featuring Eve Beglarian

March 26, 2011
8pm | Holley Hall

Proving that classical music can have a cutting edge, the Sarasota Orchestra, in collaboration with the Hermitage Artists Retreat, presents a new composition by Greenfield Prize winner Eve Beglarian. The program highlights other unique, powerful and accessible contemporary compositions.