The Venice Symphony

The Venice Symphony has become the pride of South Sarasota County. Residents and tourists fill its performance hall for six sets of concerts each year, December through April.

The Venice Symphony provides cultural enrichment for South Sarasota County and enhances the area's cultural image for residents and visitors through performances of classical works and "pops" selections. It serves as a source of music appreciation education for the community and provides a stimulating musical experience for professional musicians, promising students, retirees with musical talents, and its audience. A free "Pops in the Park" outdoor concert is presented annually.

When the symphony was founded in 1974, the musicians were volunteers including an eighty-six year old French horn player and an eight year old boy and his grandmother, both playing violins. Initially, admission was free with area businesses and contributors covering the costs of music and printing. As operating costs increased and the orchestra became professional, with the seventy-five musicians receiving compensation, it became necessary to charge for admission. Today the Symphony is funded through ticket sales, private and corporate contributions, Tourist Development Council, Sarasota County Arts Council, Friends of the Symphony and other philanthropic organizations, and grants. In 1990 a staff was added to manage the Symphony and its library of music, engage orchestra personnel, and handle the staging of the concerts. The publisher of a local newspaper has praised Venice Symphony as being one of the most exemplary models for efficiency in the arts.

The diversity of musicians continues in ages, vocations, and backgrounds. Members have come from all over the United States and from Germany, France, Holland, England, Canada, former USSR, and Scotland. Vocations have included Research Chemist, Professional Photographer, Physician, Teacher, and Professional Musician. Music careers involved the Hartford Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Paul Opera, U.S. Marine Band, the Curacao Philharmonic Orchestra, and others.

Through the years the Symphony has been involved in school concerts, classroom presentations, music appreciation education, performances with other local performing groups, a musical instrument Petting Zoo, a Fall Festival, ensemble performances, a Sunday music series, various community activities, assisting teachers in the schools, summer music camp, and fund raising events. Under the current leadership of Maestro Bowermeister and with the support of generous friends and patrons, The Venice Symphony provides music for the community that represents the highest quality of musicianship and professionalism.

For additional information, call the Symphony office at (941) 488-1010 or e-mail us at venicesymphony@aol.com.