Sarasota Orchestra Receives Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Sarasota Orchestra received a ­­­­­$50,000 Arts Appreciation grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

"Gulf Coast Community Foundation's Arts Appreciation grant to the Sarasota Orchestra is a testament to the power of our mission and the impact of our programs on the region," said Sarasota Orchestra President/CEO Joseph McKenna. "Gulf Coast is a key partner in the Sarasota Orchestra's success, helping to grow the orchestra's artistic excellence and connect with the community through our educational programs."

As an arts leader in the community, the Sarasota Orchestra's mission is to engage, educate and enrich our community through high-quality, live musical experiences. Grant funds support the presentation of the Sarasota Orchestra's 2017-2018 Season, including performances in a variety of formats, from Masterworks to Pops to Chamber Music and Great Escapes, and thrives as the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida.

The grant also supports the Sarasota Orchestra's extensive education programs for our three surrounding counties. 330 students participate in seven ensembles comprising the Sarasota Youth Orchestra. The three-week Summer Music Camp provides music education to over 300 students. Finally, some 9,500 area fourth and fifth graders utilize a year-long curriculum guide in conjunction with a live orchestral performance of the Young Persons Concerts.

Together with our donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation transforms our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1955 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, we have become the philanthropic home of more than 650 families who have established charitable funds here, and we have invested over $260 million in grants in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.

For more than 65 years, the Sarasota Orchestra has been engaging music lovers from around the region, and visitors from around the world. The Orchestra performs more than 125 classical, Pops, education and community engagement concerts each year, and thrives as the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida. Youth programs provide concert experiences for about 10,000 students per year, and includes an extensive youth orchestra program of seven ensembles and about 330 students. The Sarasota Music Festival is a world-renowned performance and teaching festival that attract young musicians and faculty from across the globe each June. For further information, please visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org.