From anniversary reunion concerts with acclaimed musicians who helped launch its first concert 25 years ago, to thought-provoking musical premieres spotlighting Florida’s majestic beauty to backing alt-rock indie darling Natalie Merchant, the award-winning South Florida Symphony Orchestra has a rich history rooted deep in the community but far-reaching across the globe.
The Prologue – Scoring a Dream
The dream began in 1997 when Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso founded the Key West Symphony Orchestra with the support of family, friends, and civic leaders interested in making live symphonic music accessible to the community. At that time, she was studying for her doctorate at the prestigious Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, one of the country’s most selective music conservatories, and was being courted to develop the Northeast’s burgeoning classical music scene. Instead, this fifth-generation Conch (born and raised in The Keys) chose to return home to her beloved community to create an opportunity for them to have access to an art form she loves so passionately but did not have exposure to while growing up.
A fundraising concert performed in March 1998 led to the debut of a full orchestra in December of that year at the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West. The first Masterworks concert was performed by cellist Zuill Bailey playing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto. Bailey went on to become one of the classical music world’s most lauded award-winning cellists, recently returning to perform with SFSO during its 25th anniversary season.
“I’ll never forget riding my bicycle around town and meeting with those interested in having an orchestra in their community, raising funds for a dream I was so incredibly adamant about actualizing. So many in the community thought it was a crazy idea to start an orchestra in The Keys. Others had never even experienced a symphony concert or listened to classical music before,” Alfonso shared. “The sold-out opening night concert was an incredible outpouring of love and music, packed with attendees with whom I spent my childhood. I will forever cherish the support I received from my family, friends, and everyone who helped this organization become what it is today.”
A Duo in Harmony
President and CEO Jacqueline Lorber joined Alfonso in 2009 and the duo spent the next 13 years expanding SFSO’s reach and impact throughout the mainland. From its humble beginnings, the organization now has an operating budget of over $2 million. Lorber has been crucial to the organization’s expansion and growth. In 2015, Alfonso and Lorber also made their business and romantic partnership official by exchanging vows.
Of the Top 20 U.S. orchestras, only two currently have women music directors, and only five serve as president or CEO. Alfonso and Lorber are among a small minority of women leading orchestras of any size in the country today.
“Having more women in artistic and administrative leadership roles within the nonprofit performing arts sector can stand to be improved upon. That’s no secret. But, thankfully, the artistic quality of the music we put forth and the dedication and professionalism we inspire in everything we do speaks for itself, ” said Lorber. “By living authentic lives of diversity and inclusion, shaped by our experiences and paired with a veritable United Nations of musicians who contribute to our narrative through expressions of their regional identity, we are creating a lasting legacy while expanding social, economic, and educational opportunities. The result is an enriched cultural landscape helping communities better understand themselves,” she added.
A Symphonic Journey In The Key of Success
In this momentous 25th anniversary year, SFSO has hit several high notes with milestone accolades and achievements.
Its Fort Lauderdale audience doubled and Miami tripled, spurring the announcement of performances at the Michael Tilson Thomas Performance Hall at the New World Center. With its state-of-the-art acoustics, cutting-edge media equipment and dramatic views of the iconic Miami Beach Art Deco skyline, SFSO’s growing Miami patron base enjoys an elevated musical experience and increased seating capacity. During its inaugural performance at the venue in November, SFSO was bestowed with a commemorative proclamation from the City of Miami Beach touting its artistic contributions. Previously, in Broward, SFSO had already leveled-up its performance experience by being named a “Partner in the Arts” for The Parker, managed by Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which had completed a stunning $30 million renovation in 2021. It was the first organization to be named as such.
As a pioneer in its commitment to classical music for children in underserved communities, Alfonso has steadfastly championed giving back. Since its founding, SFSO’s signature music education program, Symphony in the Schools, has reached over 100,000 students and has provided more than $3.5 million in services and resources in the past five years. The curriculum utilizes thematic music education programming, including a “Power of Perseverance” presentation highlighting impactful young people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who strive to make a difference, and masterclass components that work with children side-by-side to improve musicianship.
For the first time in its history, SFSO received a National Endowment for the Arts projects award of $10,000 to further its educational initiatives. This grant supports “Preserving Our Coral Reefs,” a multimedia program led by music educator Donna Wissinger, that raises awareness about the plight of Florida’s 350+ mile-long coral reef, the environmental stressors that have created the precarious situation, and the future hope for survival that rests upon the concept of coral micro-fragmentation, a process discovered by marine scientist Dr. David Vaughan. The program, set to an emotional score by composer Robert Kerr, was brought to life when the organization transported 850 Miami-Dade schoolchildren to the Miami Beach bandshell in February. And in April, its “Power of Perseverance” program reached 2,000 schoolchildren through a partnership with Broward County Schools’ Student Enrichment Through the Arts (SEAS) program.
In the fall, SFSO will have a BizTown storefront at Junior Achievement World, which educates young people about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness and reaches every 5th-grade Broward County Public School student, plus multiple private and charter schools. That’s 22K students per year. SFSO will be the first arts organization to participate in the program.
“A core mission of the Symphony is to provide children with access to classical music,” Lorber related. “In fact, our first concert was for children before we opened to the public at the Tennessee Williams Theatre 25 years ago. Back then, we transported hundreds of children by bus from up and down The Keys. And we never stopped. We have, however, improved and expanded exponentially. Our STEAM-based Symphony in the Schools and soon-to-be presence at JA World, will reach so many more kids, furthering our commitment to breaking down barriers, providing transformative programs, and inspiring a love of classical music in children throughout South Florida!”
More meaningful memories were created in April when SFSO celebrated regional arts and culture advocates who champion musical creativity and innovation as part of its inaugural “Sound of Success,” awards, part of its 25th anniversary gala to benefit its artistic, community engagement and education initiatives. And, capping off the year, Alfonso and Lorber were dually honored at Diversity Honors, the globally renowned soiree that benefits Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, exclusively hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, for their efforts in transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness.
A Segue to the Future
While this season shone with brilliant firsts and heartfelt reunions, SFSO is now focused on wowing concertgoers with a renewed passion and dramatic program for its 2023/24 season.
Continuing its journey of musical excellence, SFSO is proud of its upcoming season featuring Beethoven, Brahms, Bernstein, Schubert, Stravinsky and more. The season will feature audience favorites plus thrilling orchestra premieres by trailblazing African American female composers Florence Price and Jessie Montgomery and the return of the must-attend concert of the holiday season, Handel’s glorious “Messiah” (a subscription add-on).
“We aim to excite and delight with some of the world’s most iconic works, including what many consider the greatest piece of music ever written, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, in celebration of the masterpiece’s 200th anniversary, Brahms’ arousing Symphony No. 1, Bernstein’s ode to New York City, Three Dance Episodes from the hit Broadway musical On the Town, and Stravinsky’s enchanting Firebird Suite,” Alfonso excitedly added.
The thrills begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, with Schubert’s romantic Symphony No. 9 “The Great.”
Discounted subscription packages are on sale now and may be purchased by visiting https://southfloridasymphony.org/ or by calling (954) 522-8445.
South Florida Symphony Orchestra gives thanks to its patrons, partners and the public who have kept classical music flourishing.
Content Courtesy of Goodman PR
