Chair’s Reflections
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA | 2017-2018
6
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the entire Florida Orchestra family, I am delighted
to welcome you to this performance. We hope you enjoy this
one-of-a-kind experience of live orchestral music performed
by your Florida Orchestra!
I am continually amazed by what this orchestra is able to
accomplish – both artistically and in service to our great
community. In late January, our third annual Sing Out! Tampa
Bay took place at the Mahaffey Theater. This pay what you can
concert features a community choir joining people from all
corners of Tampa Bay and all walks of life, uniting as one voice
alongside The Florida Orchestra. The incredible night of music
with this special community chorus brought the audience to its
feet, and had us clapping and singing along. It is just one of the
countless examples of how music truly does have the power to unite and inspire.
The core of The Florida Orchestra’s mission today is focused on serving the community and is
the foundation of our vision for the future. Under the leadership of Maestro Michael Francis,
The Florida Orchestra is more committed than ever before to playing more music for more
people. In addition to stunning concerts at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Ruth Eckerd
Hall in Clearwater, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, we will continue our
chamber music series at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, we will perform
for thousands of local students through our youth concerts, and we will share our music with
patients and staff at local hospitals.
As recently elected Chair of the Board of Directors, I am truly excited to be a part of the orchestra
at this time as we embark together in a future even brighter than what we have witnessed over
the past 50 years. I am grateful to build the future of this orchestra with so many dedicated and
forward-looking partners throughout the entire organization who also believe that music has
the power to unite, to heal and bring comfort to those in need, and to raise the quality of life for
everyone in our community.
As we begin the second half of our 50th anniversary season, we have many great musical experiences
to look forward to, both inside and outside the concert halls! From the Happy Hour Concerts to
Celebrate Broadway to Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, we have something for everyone.
Thank you for being a part of the ongoing story of our community’s extraordinary orchestra.
I hope you will join us again soon.
Warm regards,
Janet E. Paroo
P.S. If you are a series subscriber, watch for your renewal materials during the month of
February. We are thrilled to share another incredible season of music with you!