Musical Musings

Masterworks 2021-2022: a Season's Heart and Soul

As the Principal Flutist of Sarasota Orchestra (SO) since 1993, I have been part of 28 season announcements. I will say, however, that I have never been more excited than I am today, looking forward to my 29th season with the SO and our long-awaited return to the stage as a full orchestra. Our Masterworks series is the heart and soul of any season, and I expect emotions to run high as we all take the stage in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall ... 

Jack and Priscilla Schlegel

Why We Give: Jack and Priscilla Schlegel

Since moving to Sarasota in 1998, the Schlegels have found a place for their love of the arts to thrive, and have attended “as many Sarasota Orchestra concerts as possible” over the last 20 years.

Debutantes Program

Debutantes Raise $1.5 Million for Sarasota Orchestra's Youth Programs

Behind waltzes and white dresses, young women supporting local youth drive the Debutantes Program of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The Debutante Program's most recent graduating class achieved a major fundraising milestone: As an auxiliary of Sarasota Orchestra's youth and education programs, the Debutantes have raised more than $1.5 million to benefit Sarasota Orchestra's education programs to date. Funds raised go to instrument and equipment purchases as well as scholarships for students of the Sarasota Youth Orchestras and Summer Music Camp.enture.

Meet an Orchestra Volunteer: Hugh Steele

Hugh Steele was an underclassman at Wabash College in Indiana when he discovered himself to be a truly diehard classical music fan. "During what they called 'hell week,'" he remembers, "one day the seniors played Ravel's Boléro for 24 hours straight on the house intercom system—and I loved it."

Andrew Lane

Q&A with Principal Pops Conductor Andrew Lane

In his final season as Sarasota Orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, Andrew Lane prepares to lead our upcoming Pops concert, "My Favorite Things." In this interview, Andy reflects on his time with Sarasota Orchestra and tells us about an exciting new musical venture.

Maria Wirries

A Hometown Heroine Returns to Sing in Sarasota

Maria Wirries, an emerging Broadway singer whose career took root in Sarasota, will return to her hometown in early March to perform as a featured soloist with Sarasota Orchestra in our season's second Pops concert, My Favorite Things.

A Violin Ultra-Star Visits Sarasota

When violinist Sarah Chang makes her Sarasota Orchestra debut in a little over two weeks, she'll have crested the third decade of a music career that has crisscrossed the globe and produced 20 albums. Chang ran the Olympic torch in 2004, took a spot in Newsweek's "20 Top Women on Leadership" in 2006, and was honored as a 2008 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum for her professional achievements, commitment to society, and potential for shaping the world's future. In 2011, the U.S. Department of State formalized her cultural ambassadorship by naming her an official Artistic Ambassador. Learn more about Sarah Chang's evolution from child prodigy to international ambassador for the arts in our latest blog post.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

Concert Details

Mother and Son to Perform Side-by-Side at Sarasota Youth Orchestra Alumni Concert

Sarasota Orchestra's Education Department has coordinated a truly historic holiday event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Sarasota Youth Orchestras [SYO]. On December 21, nearly 50 SYO alumni will perform side-by-side with the Youth Philharmonic. The combined orchestra will represent all six decades of the SYO's history—and in the case of two string players, multiple generations of SYO musicians!

A Hilarious History: the Kinship of Classical Music and Classic Cartoons

“There’s an old joke that if you stand on a street corner of any great American city and sing the first few bars of Wagner’s ‘Ride of The Valkyries’ to passersby, 90% of the world will find the mantra ‘Kill da wabbit’ popping into their heads.” In this exclusive blog for Sarasota Orchestra, conductor George Daugherty delves into the indelible association Looney Tunes with Wagner—and Rossini, Liszt, J. Strauss, von Suppé, Smetana, Tchaikovsky, Donizetti, and any other number of golden age composers. 

Fernando Traba Remembers the Reinerts and an Extraordinary Legacy

The personalities that make up the Sarasota Orchestra are truly extraordinary. Each musician is unique as an artist and contributor to our great community. Likewise, the personal connections that our musicians form with patrons are equally unique and special. Throughout the years, we have heard many beautiful stories of friendships that have formed both on and off the stage. This is one such story about Sarasota Orchestra's principal bassoon Fernando Traba, and the patrons who left a lasting impact on his life and his playing. Stories like this illustrate how music is so much more than an art form. It brings people together in a way that nothing else can.

Give to the
Annual Fund

Gifts to the Annual Fund ensure that Sarasota Orchestra can continue to share the gift of music with our community through concerts, education and outreach programs. Please join us by making a donation today. Together, we can keep the music playing, now and always.

Don't Miss These
Special Events

Join us to celebrate our 75th Anniversary at these exciting events.


Dinner Series
Six Dinners throughout the season

Orchestra Brunch
Sunday, November 12, 2023

Celebrate 75 Concert and Gala
Thursday, February 15, 2024

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About Us

Our mission is to engage, educate, and enrich our community through high-quality, live musical experiences.

Accessibility

Sarasota Orchestra is committed to making our performances and facilities accessible to everyone in our community.

All of the Orchestra’s facilities are accessible to persons using wheelchairs.

Assistive listening devices are available for all Orchestra performances.