Florida is home to many symphony orchestras, from local community and amateur groups to youth, school and professional orchestras in Florida. If you have a love of music, there are many unique ways to blend your musical interest with your business life.

Stay on top of Florida symphony orchestras news and trends to look for opportunities to profit directly from the production of symphony concerts. Use a symphony orchestra as a tool for the marketing or advertisement of your business in the following ways:

1. Use Florida state orchestra concerts as an opportunity to entertain business associates, potential clients or book a symphony to entertain at a corporate event.

2. Offer tickets to symphony orchestras in Florida to valuable customers or to show employee appreciation.

3. Take part in supporting orchestras in Florida as a creative form of advertising and networking.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join a local Florida orchestra association

There is a huge number of reputable local and regional orchestras throughout the state of Florida. Sign up for a membership with your local symphony's society or association and, for a small donation, enjoy many benefits including access to tickets first, the best seating reserved, weekly newsletters and invitations to special events.

I recommend: Some of the largest regional and local orchestras in Florida with associations include: the Southwest Florida Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra and the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Hear about live Florida state orchestra events

The key to truly appreciating and supporting symphony orchestra music is to attend many concerts. Stay on top of Florida symphony orchestras news and trends to hear of the latest concert hall events, special events, outdoor park venues, guest artists and special concerts to raise money to support a cause.

I recommend: There are different levels of membership available with the Concert Association of Florida, which for a small donation will get you discount tickets to Florida symphony events, the best seats and early news of live events throughout the state. WUSF Public Broadcasting is a classical radio station covering southern Florida with listings of all classical events in the area on their website. Search Florida Festivals and Events Association listings regularly for regional symphonies in Florida.

Read about Florida orchestras in the news

Stay abreast of music news, including performance reviews, ticket prices, visiting artists and upcoming events, by reading about Florida classical orchestra and symphonies in the news. Save time and find the news easily by knowing exactly where to look for music news and the latest updates on Florida symphony orchestras.

I recommend: Find the latest Florida music news at EIN News. Find southern Florida classical music news at Metromix. Read classical music performance reviews at the Miami Herald.

Florida may be best known for its many celebrity residents and its sizzling nightlife, but Florida orchestras are some of the most high-quality and diverse in the country. Florida symphony orchestras range from professional, nationally renowned groups to those dedicated to providing opportunities for young musicians or community members.

Orchestras in Florida also offer small business owners opportunities they may never have thought of, such as entertaining potential clients or business associates, or showing appreciation for valued customers or clients with gifts of season or individual tickets. And, by supporting symphonies in Florida, business owners are also supporting the communities they serve and hope to draw clients from.

Symphony orchestras in Florida include:

1. Professional groups that frequently host internationally known singers and musicians
2. Community orchestras, such as the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, a central Florida orchestra, that offer free public concerts
3. Youth symphonies that offer high-caliber entertainment
4. Small orchestras hired to play private events
   

Action Steps
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Enjoy internationally known entertainment at a professional Florida classical orchestra

Florida symphony orchestras offer the same professional level of entertainment found in other major cities, featuring classical, modern and even experimental compositions, and hosting some of the world's most famous musical artists.

I recommend: Attend professional musical performances by the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra or the Florida West Coast Symphony.

Support amateur musicians by attending a community FL symphony

Florida is just as committed to spotlighting its amateur musicians as it is to showcasing its professional artists. Florida's community orchestras are just as skilled and versatile as professional groups, while also reflecting Florida's diverse population.

I recommend: The Ocala Symphony Orchestra is a professional-level orchestra composed of community members and music students; the Florida orchestra also holds free community concerts and a Young Artist Competition. The Gulf Coast Symphony is a community orchestra serving southwest Florida.

See the future of orchestral music at a Florida youth orchestra

Florida is an ideal place for budding musicians to gain professional training and experience, through the state's many youth orchestras. These orchestras are just as respected as their adult counterparts, and tackle many of the same challenging musical works.

I recommend: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra serves central Florida, and the South Florida Youth Symphony is home to young musicians from Dade and Broward counties. There's also the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra, showcasing college-age young musicians.

Book a Florida orchestra for your next corporate event

Many smaller orchestras specialize in private events such as awards ceremonies, banquets or other corporate functions, and can transform even the most routine company event into an evening everyone will remember -- and look forward to next year.

I recommend: The Steven Chase Orchestra serves Miami, and was named "Best Society Band" by Miami Magazine. The Craig Turley Orchestras, serving central Florida, play over 300 events each year.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many orchestras in Florida depend on volunteers to help them not only operate, but also provide community outreach programs such as music classes or free concerts. Enlisting your employees to serve as volunteers for a Florida state orchestra helps encourage a work-life balance and creates a connection between your company and the community.

Most people go to Florida for Disney World, beaches, and sunshine, but that doesn't mean you can't catch a little culture while you're there, too. With its big cities, retirees and vacationers, Florida is packed with things to do -- even when you're away from the beach -- and many Florida cities have world-class symphonies. Before you visit the sunshine state, learn about their symphonies so you can plan your cultural excursions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Southwest Florida Symphony

Located in Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida Symphony has a full calendar of classical and pops symphony events. Founded in 1961, it features a youth orchestra a

I recommend: Learn more about events and ticket prices at Southwest Florida Orchestra.

Sarasota Orchestra

The Sarasota Orchestra, which calls itself 'the new Florida West Coast symphony' was founded in 1949. It performs in several venues in the Sarasota area, including Holley Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and the North Port Performing Arts Center.

I recommend: Learn about the history of the orchestra at Sarasota Orchestra.

Florida Orchestra

The Florida Orchestra performs in the Tampa Bay area, including Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. It's offerings include classical, pops, education, youth concerts, and films with live orchestra accompaniment.

I recommend: Check out the event calendar for tickets to the Florida Orchestra.

Pops

Traditionally, symphony orchestras perform classical music from masters such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Brahms. Now, however, almost all symphonies now offer 'pops' concerts of popular music designed for a wider audience. Pops concerts can include everything from big band music to recent radio hits.

I recommend: Learn more about pops in South Florida at Sunset Entertainment.

Florida Youth Orchestra

As the name implies, youth orchestras are made up of young people. In the case of the Florida Youth Orchestra, which is located in Hollywood, Florida, the musicians are 6-19 years old. Although it's based in Hollywood, the Florida Youth Orchestra has played for more than 70,000 people at Dolphins Stadium.

I recommend: If you plan to be in the Hollywood area check out the Florida Youth Orchestra for performance information.

Ocala Symphony Orchestra

If you're passing through Ocala, check out the Ocala Symphony Orchestra at one of the many events they put on every year. Their events include 'Symphony Under the Stars' on Mother's Day, children's concerts, a Young Artist Competition, and pops offerings.

I recommend: Find out about special events at Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

Florida symphony orchestras are many and varied. You can find professional, community and even a few youth based orchestras located in the state of Florida. The need for supplies and equipment for Florida orchestras is large and diverse. You need instruments such as violins, flutes, trumpets, pianos, oboes, piccolos, horns, tubas and many more. Orchestras usually also have a percussion section.

When considering the needs of a Florida state orchestra you must consider effects other than just musical instruments. An orchestra needs music, metal folding stands, rosin, wireless microphones, rock stops, proper attire and a baton for the conductor. Florida Symphony Orchestras' supplies and equipment can be located easily by following a few simple guidelines.

1. Keep an accessible inventory of supplies and equipment needed for your Florida classical orchestra.

2. Hold on to the names and contact information of your previous suppliers while keeping an eye out for quality and less expensive FL symphony equipment.

3. Be sure to maintain non-musical items as well, such as apparel and basic apparatus.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with suppliers who provide a varied and organized inventory for orchestras in Florida

Suppliers should be helpful and knowledgeable regarding their merchandise. Some suppliers organize their products by brand name, equipment and instrument. Look for a company that offers a large selection of orchestral instruments and equipment.

I recommend: U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies organize their instruments by brand name and also have a dealer locator on their website, which enables you to locate suppliers in Florida. Beethoven & Company in Tallahassee has a diverse selection of instruments and music for the Florida orchestra of your choice.

Purchase from trusted Florida orchestra suppliers, but be aware of cheaper offers and deals

It is best to have a bevy of trusted suppliers of orchestra retailers. It is also helpful to explore new companies and businesses that propose varied deals and offers. This will enable symphonies in Florida to save money and take advantage of bargains and promotions.

I recommend: Check out Florida Music Supply, which offers competitive prices as well as gift certificates that you may redeem for yourself. Bringe Music Center in St. Petersburg serves the professional and amateur musician. They are one of the best instrument repair services in the area and have an exceptional rent-to-own program. Their pricing is affordable and reasonable.

Renew essential non-musical equipment for your Florida orchestra as well as your instruments

The basic equipment needed for Florida Symphony Orchestras is multifarious. You must maintain stands, wagons, rosin, batons, podiums, music, carrying cases, apparel and much more. These supplies can be managed by knowing your orchestra's needs and having access to an exceptional equipment supplier.

I recommend: Take a look at SamAsh.com in Orlando, which has a large selection of supplies and an accessories section just for band and orchestra. MusicMasters has an orchestra supply section with a very diverse selection of batons and other accessories. Hoggtowne Music in Gainesville also carries supplies such as metronomes, stands, cases and cleaning supplies.