Sarasota Orchestra Friends: new organization is the result of a merger of the previously separate Manatee and Sarasota auxiliaries

Comment Off 35 Views

CONTACT: Gordon Greenfield                                                                                                                                                             

 

(941) 487-2745

 

[email protected]

 

 

 

SARASOTA, FL – April 2014 – The Sarasota Orchestra announced today the formation of a new volunteer entity called the Sarasota Orchestra Friends.  This new organization is the result of a merger of the previously separate Manatee and Sarasota auxiliaries. 

 

 

 

Leaders from the two auxiliaries began meeting late in 2013 to discuss their respective visions for volunteerism and challenges that both organizations faced.  The auxiliaries merged to achieve efficiencies and eliminate duplicate efforts on newsletters, directories and other functions. 

 

Boards of the auxiliaries both voted unanimously in early April to suspend their bylaws and merge into the Sarasota Orchestra Friends.   The Friends will officially commence operations on May 1, 2014.

 

Mary Boose, a spokesperson for the Manatee leadership team said, “Our volunteers coming together under one group will create important efficiencies and allow us to put more effort into our mission and fundraising activities.  The environment has changed but our commitment and support for the Sarasota Orchestra has not.”    

 

The Task Force that conducted the review was comprised of Mary Boose, Dorothy Blum, and Kitty Ramos from Manatee County.  The leadership from Sarasota included Caroline Ryan, Becky Miller and Anne Scott.

 

This year the combined membership of the two Associations was more than 400.  Caroline Ryan, a spokesperson for the Sarasota leadership said, “We all shared the view that the overall success of the organization was most important.  We are all excited about this collaborative approach to our future.”

 

A steering committee made up of three members from each previous association will govern the new organization during a transition period.  Popular programs such as Musical Mornings, Classical Conversations and social gatherings will be continued under the new Sarasota Orchestra Friends.

 

The mission statement for the Friends will match that of the Sarasota Orchestra:  “We engage, educate and enrich our community through high quality live musical experiences.” 

 

 

 

About the Sarasota Orchestra:

 

After completing an international search, in 2013, the Sarasota Orchestra announced the appointment of Anu Tali as the fifth Music Director in the Orchestra’s 65 year history.  Tali, a native of Estonia, will conduct Masterworks performances and serve as the Music Director for the organization.  Each year the 80-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops and family concerts, and thrives as the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida.  For more information about the Sarasota Orchestra please visit www.SarasotaOrchestra.org. Come as you are. Leave different. 

 

 

 

 

 

###

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About the author

Free Newsletter Updated Daily