Chair’s Reflections
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA | 2018-2019
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Dear Friends,
I am so pleased to welcome you to another wonderful
performance by The Florida Orchestra. This is such an exciting
time in the history of our organization and we appreciate that you
are on this journey with us.
It is my privilege to share exciting news about the appointment
of TFO’s new President and CEO, Mark Cantrell. Mark joins us
after most recently serving as the CEO of the Wisconsin Chamber
Orchestra, where he championed community building, audience
accessibility and financial stability. He brings experience as the
former executive director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra
and personnel manager for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, plus he was a bass trombonist
for the Boston Pops, Boston Ballet and Boston Lyric Opera. He also happens to fly planes and build
furniture in his spare time!
Our Music Director, Michael Francis, and Mark share a vision of continuing to grow TFO into an
organization that is responsive to the community that it serves. Michael and Mark are passionate
about why an orchestra is vital to a vibrant city and how we use the power of music to reflect, connect
and communicate. They are very much looking forward to working together – along with the staff and
Boards - to take The Florida Orchestra into its next 50 years.
I hope you were able to be part of “Sing Out! Tampa Bay” a few weeks ago, when almost 200 volunteer
singers led an audience at the Mahaffey Theater united as one voice with TFO musicians to sing
favorites from orchestra, opera, Broadway, film and popular music. There are many other ways to be
involved with The Florida Orchestra’s community programs in the coming months, such as chamber
music performances, family concerts and more. Visit www.FloridaOrchestra.org for more information
about TFO in our community.
Thank you for being part of Tampa Bay’s leading performing arts institution and one of the most
vibrant and innovative orchestras in America. I hope you will join us again soon.
Warm regards,
Janet E. Paroo
/www.FloridaOrchestra.org