Florida Orchestra

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) is a premier cultural institution in the Tampa Bay area, dedicated to enriching the community through the power and beauty of live symphonic music. With a mission to inspire, entertain, and educate a broad and diverse audience, TFO is committed to preserving the legacy of orchestral music for future generations to enjoy, celebrating the human spirit in all its magnificence. TFO's roots trace back to the 1930s, when Tampa already boasted a strong orchestral scene with a Works Progress Administration (WPA) orchestra. By the mid-1940s, the Tampa Symphony Orchestra emerged, later renamed the Tampa Philharmonic in 1959. Across Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, community and city orchestras had been established by the late 1940s, leading to the formation of the St. Petersburg Symphony in 1950 by members of the Carreno Music Club. The idea of merging the two orchestras began to take shape in 1964, driven by the vision of conductors Alfredo Antonini of the Tampa Philharmonic and Thomas Briccetti of the St. Petersburg Symphony. A symbolic union of the two institutions was conducted on November 23, 1966, when representatives from both orchestras met in the center of Tampa Bay to signify their merger. This event marked the birth of the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony, which was officially established two years later. The inaugural season of the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony commenced on November 14, 1968, under the leadership of Music Director Irwin Hoffman. The opening program featured classical masterpieces such as Berlioz's "Overture to Benvenuto Cellini," Respighi's "Pines of Rome," and Shostakovich's "Symphony No. 5, Op. 47." The orchestra initially presented five concerts from November to April, performing each concert three times. In 1984, the orchestra rebranded itself as The Florida Orchestra. Irwin Hoffman continued as conductor until 1987, and Jahja Ling succeeded him in the 1988/89 season. Ling's tenure brought the orchestra to international fame when they performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" with Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV, marking the first time a symphony orchestra played at such an event. Following Ling's departure in the 2001/02 season, Stefan Sanderling took over as music director until his departure in 2012. Michael Francis was announced as the new music director in June 2014, continuing the orchestra's tradition of artistic excellence. The Florida Orchestra has been involved in numerous initiatives to enhance its community engagement and accessibility. In 2011, it embarked on a cultural exchange with the Cuban Institute of Music and launched an Accessibility Initiative to reduce ticket prices for Masterworks and Pops concerts. TFO has also collaborated with the Tampa Bay Lightning to produce the team's theme song, "Be the Thunder," and released CDs featuring works by composers such as Frederick Delius and holiday-themed recordings. Today, The Florida Orchestra is recognized as Tampa Bay's leading performing arts institution and the largest professional symphony orchestra in Florida. It is known for its vibrant and innovative performances that resonate with audiences across the state. TFO performs nearly 100 concerts annually across Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg, offering a variety of concert series including Masterworks, Pops, matinees, rock concerts, free Pops in the Park concerts, and educational youth concerts. Through its dedication to musical excellence and community engagement, The Florida Orchestra serves as a beacon for the musical arts in Florida and beyond.