News

Teaching Science Through Music

From October to December, second graders at Rock Lake Elementary School and Grand Ave Primary Learning Center are working with Orlando Philharmonic musicians, as well as professional teaching artists from Orlando Museum of Art, Maitland Museum of Art, and the Orlando Repertory Theatre as part of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Symphonic Stories program. The residency uses music, theater, dance, and visual art to teach students about scientific concepts such as the seasons, weather, and the life cycles of plants and certain animals. The program is constantly hands-on, giving students the opportunity to create original vignettes based on their lessons. At the end of the program, students present what they’ve learned through a “Sharing Session,” presented for fellow students, parents, and teachers. Students work closely with teaching artists and musicians to create original works, with musicians providing the “soundtrack” for the student Sharing Session.

Orlando Philharmonic Awarded $25,000 in Disney Grants Support

Organization recently received $25,000 from Walt Disney World Resort as part of the company’s 2014 Disney Grants program.

During a recent ceremony at the Orlando Science Center, Orlando Philharmonic orchestra and fellow Central Florida nonprofits and organizations were recognized with Disney Grants support and special Mousecar awards. In all, 87 organizations received $3.8 million in Disney Grants, including 17 groups that were selected based on the strength of the applications they submitted and their alignment with Disney’s philanthropic focus.

The funding was used toward the Philharmonic’s Party at the Plaza fundraiser, which featured 5 stages of live music, live auction and food to benefit the orchestra and The Plaza Live. The event attracted over 400 attendees and was the most profitable fundraiser the orchestra held in the past three years.

ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ANNOUNCES FIVE FINALISTS FROM INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DIRECTOR SEARCH

Today, the Orlando Philharmonic announced five internationally renowned conductors who will vie for the position of Music Director during the orchestra’s  2014-2015 season. The finalists, in order of appearance, are Alondra De la Parra, Steven Jarvi, Eric Jacobsen, Dirk Meyer and Leslie B. Dunner. The orchestra plans to appoint one of these finalists as its new Music Director in the spring of 2015.

The five finalists were chosen by a search committee comprised of orchestra musicians and community members who spent 9 months screening a slate more than 275 candidates from around the world. Each finalist will spend approximately one week with the orchestra between September and March next season, conducting at least one classical program and making various community appearances. Each finalist will be evaluated by the search committee based on feedback orchestra musicians, audience members, leaders in the community, and ultimately, the Philharmonic’s board of directors.

“Party at the Plaza” raises over $70K for Orlando Philharmonic & The Plaza Live

Over 400 guests attended the event on January 25, which featured 5 stages of music, 8 food vendors and a silent auction.

Photos from the event: Photos by Brion Price Photography

(February 5, 2014, Orlando, FL) – On Saturday, January 25, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and The Plaza Live hosted “Party at the Plaza,” a fundraiser at The Plaza Live Theatre (425 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando), featuring 5 stages of live music. Over 400 people were in attendance, and the event netted over $70,000, more than any of the orchestra’s past three galas. Money raised will help fund the orchestra’s general operations in 2013-2014, which includes continued operation of the Plaza Live Theatre. This was the first year the event was held.

David Schillhammer, the Philharmonic’s Executive Director, said the orchestra wanted to do something different than their typical “gala” this year.