April 19, 2024
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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.
Barbara Miracle | 12/1/2008
The Florida Orchestra St. Petersburg
 Anna Kate Mackle, principal harp [Photo: Lori Ballard] |
Main Concert Venues: Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa; Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Music Director: Stefan Sanderling, since 2003
Annual Attendance: 77,338 paid and 63,508 outreach
Ticket Prices: $19 to $65 for single tickets; $229 to $728 for 14 Masterworks concerts
Notable Events: Stravinski’s Petrushka with Puppets (January), The Music of Pink Floyd (January), "Oz with Orchestra" with the “Wizard of Oz” film (May)
Musician Salary: Base pay is $28,500 for 29 weeks of performance and one week paid vacation, health insurance, instrument insurance and pension benefits. Principal chair musicians in each section receive an additional 25% in pay.
Major Sponsors: Progress Energy, Raymond James Financial, Holland America Line Revenue: $11 million (June 2008 unaudited)
Profit: $550,000
Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
 Suzanne Kirton, principal flute [Photos: Nathan Hill] |
 Glenn Basham, concertmaster |
Founded: 1982
Main Concert Venue: Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Music Director: Jorge Mester, since 2004
Annual Attendance: 109,000
Ticket Prices: $32 to $69 for single tickets; $354 for
six classical concerts; $270 for seven Pops concerts
Notable Events: Sypert Salon Chamber Music Series (November
to February), New Year’s Eve Gala Big Band Bash (December)
Musician Salary: $46,070 to $57,598 plus benefits,
including a 6% 401(k) match and health and life insurance
Corporate Sponsors: Focus is on foundation and individual givers
Revenue: $7.8 million (June 2007) Loss: $100,000
