This month’s spotlight shines brightly on The Florida Orchestra, a non-profit intimately familiar with spotlights as well as the limelight.

Its mission is to….. enrich the life of the Tampa Bay area as it inspires, entertains and educates a wide and diverse audience with the unique experience of live symphonic music, ensuring that future generations will continue to enjoy this legacy that so magnificently celebrates the human spirit.

The Orchestra is the result of a merger in 1968 between the Tampa Symphony Orchestra (renamed the Tampa Philharmonic and founded in the 1930’s) and the St. Petersburg Symphony (formed in the mid 1940’s and 50’s).

Today, 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 orchestras in America.

It performs nearly 100 concerts annually in the tri-city area of Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg. Concert series include Tampa Bay Times Masterworks, Progress Energy Morning Masterworks, Raymond James Pops, Coffee Concert matinees, free Pops in the Park Concerts, and educational Youth Concerts.

Hire a Musician: Orchestra musicians interact with the community not only on stage but also in small ensembles performing in schools and at events such as weddings, fundraisers and funerals. This diversifies the work of these professional musicians and allows them to contribute to their community on a personal level.

Private Lessons: Additionally, orchestra musicians offer private lessons for children and adults. For information regarding availability and rates, contact Same Headlee at 727.362.5461 or E-mail him at personnelmanager@floridaorchestra.org

To make a donation, become a volunteer or program/upcoming performance information, contact:

The Florida Orchestra

244 2nd Avenue North · Suite 420 · St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Tel: 727.892.3331 · Fax: 727.892.3338

www.floridaorchestra.org