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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.
Sarasota Orchestra (formerly Florida West Coast Symphony)
 Koko Kita, timpani |
Founded: 1948
Main Concert Venues:
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota; Neel Performing Arts Center at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
Artistic Director: Leif Bjaland, since 1996
Annual Attendance: 53,000
Ticket Prices: $36 to $82 for single tickets; $198 to $468 for seven Masterworks concerts
Notable Events: James Ehnes, Brahms Violin Concerto (January), Cirque de la Symphonie (January), Bugs Bunny on Broadway (February)
 [iStock photo] |
Major Sponsors: Bank of America, Comerica, Harris Private Bank, Northern Trust, Anne Folsom Interior Design
Revenue: $12.5 million (June 2007)
Profit: $6 million
New World Symphony Miami Beach
Founded: 1987
Main Concert Venue: Lincoln Theatre, Miami Beach
Artistic Director: Michael Tilson Thomas
Annual Attendance: 80,600
Ticket Prices: $28 to $84 for single ticket; $144 to $348 for six Sunday Afternoon Concerts; 30 concerts during the season that are free or less than $15 a ticket
Notable Events: Joshua Bell, violinist (January), Vladimir Feltsman, piano, all Tchaikovsky concert (May), Musician Salary: New World Symphony relies on
musicians who participate in the NWS Orchestral Academy, which offers an intensive, three-year program of performance and training. More than 1,000 applicants each year compete for 35 fellowships, which include free housing, a weekly stipend and other benefits. Fellows must have a B.A. degree.
Major Sponsors: Carnival Cruise Lines, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Northern Trust, SunTrust, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bank of America, World Fuel Services
Revenue: $106.8 million (June 2007); includes building campaign for new academy campus designed by prominent architect Frank Gehry adjacent to the Lincoln Theatre
Profit: $2 million
