mission and History
Come as you are. Leave different.®
Since 1949, Sarasota Orchestra has inspired and entertained music-lovers across the region and visitors from around the world. A cultural leader in a city known for its vibrant arts community, Sarasota Orchestra’s threefold mission is dedicated to exquisite performance and first-class musical education.
As the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, each year the 76-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops, chamber music, and community outreach concerts.
Sarasota Orchestra's acclaimed music education program includes the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, established in 1959 and currently supporting eight student ensembles, as well as the annual Summer Music Camp. Sarasota Orchestra also offers music lessons for students of all ages and abilities and sponsors multiple outreach programs. An annual tradition since 1953, the Orchestra’s Young Person’s Concerts brings the joy and wonder of a symphony orchestra performance to nearly 10,000 Sarasota and Manatee County fourth- and fifth-graders every fall.
Sarasota Orchestra is the parent program of the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival, founded in 1965. Each June the Sarasota Music Festival welcomes 60 pre-professional fellows from around the globe and 40 faculty artists representing the top conservatories, music colleges, and classical music ensembles for three weeks of intensive study and public performances.
Mission Statement
The mission of Sarasota Orchestra is to engage, educate, and enrich our community through high-quality, live musical experiences.
Sarasota Orchestra is guided by five values which all employees seek to uphold in their work lives and in the execution of their duties. We believe these values are the foundation for nurturing a great working environment for our musicians, staff, education faculty, board and volunteers.
Living our Values
Create and support a culture of kindess, respect, and teamwork
Passionately pursue artistic excellence and innovation
Serve the broadest possible audience
Nurture curious minds
Earn trust by operating with integrity and transparency
Sarasota Orchestra's Timeline
1948
1948
Ruth Cotton Butler works with George Gibbs, Sam Hill and Dr. W.D. Sugg, to fulfill her dream of creating a community orchestra in Sarasota and Manatee.
1948
1949
1949
Florida West Coast Symphony performs its first public performance in collaboration with the Manatee River Choral Club of Bradenton.
1950
1950
Dr. Lyman Wiltse conducts first orchestral concert for the Florida West Coast Symphony on January 19 in the Manatee County High School Auditorium.
1950
1951
1951
Alexander Bloch succeeds Wiltse as the second music director of the Florida West Coast Symphony.
1953
1953
1,500 children attended the Children's Concerts program to give children their first taste of orchestral music. Today, the program is called Young Person's Concerts and is performed for 10,000 children.
1953
1955
1955
The Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal Hall was completed in November.
1957
1957
Lota Mundy founded the Symphony Women’s Association, to “foster, promote and increase the musical knowledge, education and artistic appreciation of the community”.
1957
Dec 1958
1958
The New York Times calls the beginning of the Florida West Coast Symphony season the beginning of the music season in all of Florida.
1959
1959
The Youth Orchestra Program was founded through sponsorship of the Symphony Women's Association.
1959
1961
1961
Paul Wolfe began his tenure as the third music director.
1964
1964
Wolfe founded the Sarasota Music Festival at New College.
1964
1977
1977
The Florida West Coast Symphony introduced its Summer Music Camp.
1984
1984
The Sarasota Music Festival was designated by the Florida State legislature as the, ”Official teaching and performing Festival of the State of Florida.”
1984
1985
1985
The Sarasota Music Festival merged with the Florida West Coast Symphony.
1990s
1990s
The Florida West Coast Symphony evolved into a fully paid professional orchestra.
1990s
1997
1997
Leif Bjaland was appointed as the fourth music director.
1999
1999
Beatrice Friedman makes a $1 million gift to ensure successful completion of an endowment campaign.
1999
2001
2001
Executive Director Gretchen Serrie retired, and Joseph McKenna becomes administrative leader of the Florida West Coast Symphony.
2002
2002
The Florida West Coast Symphony was unionized under the American Federation of Musicians.
2002
2004
2004
First Pops subscriptions are offered.
2005
2005
Virginia Toulmin gifts $10 million to significantly increase the organization’s endowment.
2005
2008
2008
Youth Philharmonic debuts in Carnegie Hall.
2008
2008
The Florida West Coast Symphony rebranded, taking the name Sarasota Orchestra, and launching new series and innovative concert formats.
2008
2013
2013
An international search results in the appointment of Anu Tali as fifth music director of Sarasota Orchestra.
2017
2017
Discoveries concert series inaugurated.
2017
2019
2019
Orchestra participates in EarShot, an initiative by the American Composers Orchestra in partnership with American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA.
2021
2021
Internationally renowned conductor Bramwell Tovey begins his tenure as Sarasota Orchestra's sixth Music Director
2021
2022
2022
Orchestra announces an agreement to purchase 32 acres of land in Sarasota County for a new music center.
2022
2022
Maestro Tovey unexpectedly passes away at age 69. The Orchestra dedicates its 2022-2023 season in his memory.
2022
2022
2022
Peter Oundjian is appointed Orchestra's Creative Partner and David Alan Miller as Artistic Advisor.
2023
2023
Purchase completed of 32-acre parcel at 5701 Fruitville Road as future home of Sarasota Orchestra.
Stages Consultants selected as acoustics and space planning partners for new music center.
2023
2024
2024
After Sarasota Orchestra celebrates its 75th Anniversary concert season, the Orchestra welcomes GRAMMY®-winning conductor Giancarlo Guerrero as its seventh music director.
