May 15, 2024
SHARE:
arts
Florida's Orchestras Take a Hit
Florida's orchestras are poised to hurt as the economy continues to plummet. Here's a look at their numbers.
Barbara Miracle | 12/1/2008
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
Founded: 1926
Main Concert Venue: Saenger Theatre (under renovation)
Music Director: Peter Rubardt, since 1997
Annual Attendance: 35,000
Ticket Prices: $20 to $55 for single tickets (students and active military, $10);
$190 to $375 for five Masterworks and two Pops concerts
Notable Events: Marimba player Naoko Takada (January), singers Karen and Steve Multer (February), pianist Terrence Wilson (March)
Major Sponsors: Merrill Lynch, Avalex Technologies, Baptist Health Care, Sacred Heart Health System
 Rang Hee Kim, associate concertmaster [Photo: Charles Baisden] |
Revenue: $1 million (May 2007) Loss: $75,799
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
 Fabio Mechetti [Photo: Laird] |
Main Concert Venue: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
Music Director: Fabio Mechetti, since 1999
Annual Attendance: 110,000
Ticket Prices: $18 to $65 for single tickets; $170 to $595 for the 10-concert Masterworks Series
Notable Events: Puccini’s Turandot (February), The Manhattan Transfer (February), Mahler’s Fifth Symphony (March), Pops headliners Ben Vereen (March) and Mozart’s Requiem (April)
Musician Salary: $38,036 for a 37-week season
Major Sponsors: Fidelity National Financial, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, Mayo Clinic, Bank of America, Target, Publix Super Markets Charities
Revenue: $8.7 million (June 2007) Loss: $640,539
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
 Mark Fischer, principal horn and general manager [Photo: M & E Image & Design / Enrique Fux] |
Main Concert Venue: Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Music Director: Christopher Wilkins, since 2006
Annual Attendance: 69,585, plus 63,000 at Young People’s Concerts
Ticket Prices: $13 to $65 for single tickets; $65 to $550 for 10 classical and pops concert
Notable Events: Five by Design (January), Andre Watts (February), Sweeney Todd with Broadway star Davis Gaines (March)
Musician Salary: Pay by the performance, but the orchestra estimates that a musician who accepted all performances offered could make $14,000 to $18,000.
Major Sponsors: Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, MSCW, Massey Services, Orlando Downtown Marriott, Siemens Energy
Revenue: $3.5 million (June 2007) Profit: $351,316
