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Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

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The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is one of Northwest Florida's largest performing arts organizations and the premier symphonic group of the Pensacola area. The current conductor and musical director is Peter Rubardt.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

PensacolaSymphonyLogo.png

Established 1926
Type Performing arts
Location 205 E. Zaragoza Street
(The Tivoli High House)
Music director Peter Rubardt
Board officers Thomas Bailey, President
William Dollarhide, Vice President
Rick Harper, Treasurer
Robert de Varona, Immediate Past President
Ava Abney
Thomas Armstrong
John Cavanaugh
Rodger P. Doyle
Martha Ann Hunter
Tad Ihns
Angela Jones
Patricia Langhorne
Ann G. Litvak
Anne Patterson
James M. Potter
Douglas Rehm
Susan Stumpf
Robert W. Turner
Milton Usry
Roger Webb
Timothy Wright
Staff Christina Littlejohn, Executive Director
Bret Barrow, Director of Education & Development Administration
Kat Davis, Director of Public Relations & Foundation Officer
Crystal Lohman, Director of Patron Services & Marketing Manager
Michelle Thomas, Director of Finance
Dale Riegle, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Allison Giltinan, Music Librarian
Martin Rogers, Operations Manager
Budget $900,000
Website www.pensacolasymphony.com

Contents

History

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra dates back to 1926, when German-born John Borjes, who had studied at the Leipzog conservatory, established the Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra. A smaller, more informal group was also founded around that time by Edwin Northrup.

The groups continued to perform through the Great Depression with financial assistance from Works Progress Administration's Federal Music Project. The groups' names changed many times over the years before settling on the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Grier Williams, who became music director in 1977, oversaw the most dramatic growth of the organization. The orchestra had been performing in the auditorium of Pensacola High School for many years, but the City of Pensacola's purchase and renovation of the Saenger Theatre allowed them to move to the more elegant venue in 1982. Williams served as music director and conductor until 1996, when the position was occupied by Peter Rubardt.

The PSO currently enjoys audiences of over 35,000 per year, with an additional 45,000 listeners via the orchestra's radio broadcasts on WUWF. With renovations at the Saenger Theatre, the PSO's 2007-08 season will be held at other venues, including performances of the "Masterworks" series at First Baptist Church.

Leadership

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is operated by a 23-member Board of Directors, the current president of which is Thomas Bailey. The organization also employs five full-time staff members, including an executive director position, currently held by Christina Littlejohn.

Past Board Presidents

Funding

The PSO commands an annual budget of over $900,000, with ticket sales covering about half of operating expenses. Other funding comes from grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donations and fundraisers.

Guild

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Guild was established in 1973 to provide financial support to the Symphony. It currently has about 250 members, many of whom volunteer at the Symphony's performances or at the Tivoli High House headquarters. The Guild hosts a number of fundraisers every year, the largest being the Magnolias and White Linen luncheon.

Symphony Showhouse

The Symphony Showhouse is a biennial fundraiser in which interior decorators volunteer to renovate a Pensacola home. Each company decorates an individual room with its own theme. The finished house is then opened to tours, with ticket sales and sponsorships going to the PSO's budget.

External links