After Nearly Three Decades Orlando’s

Festival of Orchestras Announces

It Will Go Out On A High Note

Economic times are forcing beloved non-profit to cease operations

ORLANDO, Fla. – 3/28/11– After a recent near sell-out spectacular performance of the world famous Boston Pops, the 27-year-old organization announced it must cease operations at the end of the month due to waning finances directly related to the struggling economy, the organization’s Board of Directors announced.

As responsible stewards of the non-profit organization, the board recently announced to patrons that the Festival’s 27th season for presenting world-class orchestra performances would be its finale.
The economic environment compounded by a significant reduction in donor support, as well as the inability to secure performance dates at the Bob Carr Auditorium, were all factors in the decision. It has become a significantly greater challenge to compete for discretionary entertainment dollars of families, according to board members.

“We have made so many positive improvements to the operation and structure of this organization over the past several years, but in the end the economy, the loss of our traditional venue and a decrease in available funding have made operating successfully too great a challenge,” said Louis Supowitz, board chairman.

“At this point we feel that what is most important is discontinuing operations with grace and to not leave any debt or confused patrons or donors wondering what happened,” said Supowitz.  “Our desire is that the fine classical music these international orchestras have enthralled audiences with over the years will return to this community one day, and we hope that it will be enthusiastically embraced and supported by community members,” he went on to say.  In the meantime, Supowitz encouraged the community to support the many other great cultural institutions in Central Florida, including the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bach Festival Society and the Orlando Ballet.

Any further donations to the organization will be used to pay existing expenses and to properly preserve the organization’s 27 years of history.  If any funding remains, it will be used to present classical music through other arts organizations in the community.
Over the past 27 years the Festival of Orchestras has presented more than 100 major symphony orchestras from all around the world, including the finest European, Russian, South American and North American orchestras, such as the New York Philharmonic, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.  Over a quarter million patrons have attended these performances over the years generating an enormous cultural and economic impact for Central Florida.

Offices will remain open for a brief period of time in order to properly close out the affairs of the organization.