Palm Beach Symphony

==Palm Beach Symphony== ===About=== The Palm Beach Symphony is South Florida's premier orchestra, renowned for its diverse repertoire and dedication to community engagement. Established in 1974, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization has a mission to engage, educate, and entertain the greater Palm Beach community through live performances of inspiring orchestral music. The Symphony is acclaimed for its vibrant performances featuring first-rate musicians and esteemed guest artists. In 2020, the Palm Beach Symphony was honored with a Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. ===History=== In its formative years, the Palm Beach Symphony performed a limited number of concerts annually, led by a part-time conductor and supported by a volunteer staff. The organization's trajectory shifted significantly under the leadership of Mrs. Ethel S. Stone, who served as the Symphony's board chair for 23 years. Mrs. Stone's passion for music and her philanthropic spirit were instrumental in establishing the Symphony as a cultural mainstay in the community. During her tenure, the Symphony was steered by various notable musicians, including Karl Karapetian, John Iuele, Kenneth Schermerhorn, Stewart Kershaw, David Gray, Ulf Bjorlin, and John Covelli. Following Mrs. Stone's passing in 1996, John and Joan Tighe took up the mantle to preserve her legacy. They solidified the Symphony's governance with a stable board of directors, a dedicated administrative staff, and an endowment fund, ensuring the organization's continued prosperity. Leaders during the Tighes' era included Alan Kogosowski, Vladimir Ponkin, Sergiu Schwartz, Ray Robinson, and Donald Oglesby. Today, the Palm Beach Symphony has blossomed into a cultural pillar of the Palm Beach area. The Symphony attracts members interested in combining quality musical experiences with social events and is committed to supporting music education and community outreach initiatives. In 2019, marking its 45th season, the Symphony expanded its operations from Palm Beach to West Palm Beach, enhancing its mission and extending its reach within the community. ===Mission & Vision=== The Palm Beach Symphony's mission is to engage, educate, and entertain the greater community of the Palm Beaches through live performances of inspiring orchestral music. The Symphony aims to be an integral cultural arts organization, enhancing the communities it serves by adhering to the highest standards of ethics and corporate governance. ===Core Values=== The Symphony's core values include excellence in all aspects of its operations, community engagement, education and outreach, partnership and collaboration, inclusivity and diversity, relevance to the community, development and sustainability, stewardship and impact, fiscal responsibility, and accountability and transparency. These values guide the Symphony's cultural behaviors, emphasizing accountability, respect, loyalty, transparent communication, and empowerment of team members. ===Programs and Events=== The Palm Beach Symphony offers a variety of programs and events, including a 2023-2024 Season, a 50th Anniversary Gala in 2024, and educational and community outreach efforts such as children's concerts, student coaching sessions, master classes, instrument donations, and free public concerts. These initiatives have reached over 56,000 students in recent years. ===Support and Engagement=== Support for the Palm Beach Symphony comes from various sources, including the Young Friends of Palm Beach Symphony, the Prelude Society, Symphony Membership, the Impresario Society, and corporate partnerships. The Symphony also encourages instrument donations and contributions to its Annual Fund to sustain its mission. ===Leadership=== The Symphony is led by a Music Director, Assistant Conductors, a Chief Executive Officer, and a Board of Directors. The organization prides itself on maintaining a professional Symphony Staff and reports its impact annually to stakeholders and supporters. ===Contact Information=== For more information about the Palm Beach Symphony, including concert schedules, educational programs, and ways to support, interested individuals can visit the organization's official website or contact the Symphony through the provided channels.