Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra 2023-2024

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

Welcome From Music Director/Conductor, Todd Craven

Greetings, Northwest Florida Symphony and Mattie Kelly Arts Center supporters! We are excited to welcome you to our exhilarating 23/24 season entitled A Season to Sing! The season highlights a fantastic array of guest vocalists performing with the orchestra, along with our wonderful communityensembles: The NFSO Chorale, The Unified Gospel Choir, and Voices of Northwest Florida.

The 2023/2024 season is one of unprecedented collaboration and outstanding guest artists. Please join us for a special event on November 8: Sounds of the Spectrum, a concert to benefit the Emerald Coast Autism Center. The evening will feature internationally-acclaimed artists operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee and trumpeter David Spencer, as well as artists from the Pensacola Opera. It is an event not-to-be missed and all tickets and donations will go to a great cause!

Our first ever co-production with the Northwest Florida Ballet on March 8 and 9, 2024 will feature Carmina Burana. With original choreography by NWF Ballet Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen, this epic masterwork of the 20th century for orchestra, ballet, chorus and solo voices will utilize the Mattie Kelly Arts Center stage and pit to full capacity!

As always, the NFSO supports youth music education through our bourgeoning youth orchestra program, the NFSYO, and our annual education concerts in January and March. Know that every donation and ticket purchase to the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra helps benefit students and music education in our community.

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra has something for everyone! We thank you so much for joining us look forward to seeing you at the beautiful Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center. Thank you for your continued support of the Northwest Florida Symphony: the region’s premier professional orchestra.

Yours in music,

Season 2023-2024

There would be no without you!

Sponsorship Levels Music

Diamond - $7,500-$15,000

• 20 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice

• Conduct national anthem before concert

• Verbal recognition from stage before event

• Logo projection in theatre before event

• Full page ad in concert program (ad provided by sponsor)

• Pre-concert reception for sponsor (if desired)

• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account

• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship

Platinum - $5,000 -$7,499

• 10 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice

• Verbal recognition from stage before event

• Logo projection in theatre before event

• Full page ad in concert program (ad provided by sponsor)

• Pre-concert reception for sponsor (if desired)

• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account

• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship

Gold - $2,500 -$4,999

• 4 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice

• Verbal recognition from stage before event

• Ad in concert program (ad provided by sponsor)

• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account

• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship

Silver - $1,000 -$2,499

• 2 season ticket subscriptions in seating of choice

• Sponsorship mention on NFSO social media account

• All benefits in bronze level sponsorship

Bronze - $500 -$999

• Company name listed on NFSO website

• Recognition as sponsor in event program

• An invitation for two to the President’s Holiday Pops Concert reception

Concerto - $250-$499

• Recognition as sponsor in event program

• An invitation for two to the President’s Holiday Pops Concert reception

Friend’s Circle - $100-$249

• Recognition as sponsor in event program

For donations and sponsorships call Jeanette Shires at 850.729.6004 or visit Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Todd Craven, Music Director and Conductor

American conductor Todd Craven begins his third season as Music Director/Conductor of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Known for his musical sensitivity, passion for contemporary music, and community collaboration, Craven advocates for the 21st century orchestra by creating programs that introduce classical and symphonic music to people from all walks of life.

In the 22/23 season, Todd made his Jacksonville Symphony debut, stepping in to conduct Handel’s Messiah on a few hours’ notice, led the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for their Concert at the Springs, and conducted a series of sold-out holiday concerts with the Florida Orchestra in Tampa. In the 23/24 season, he will collaborate on recording projects with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Béla Fleck, and has been invited to conduct the Gioiania Symphony Orchestra in Brazil.

Mr. Craven’s accomplishments include First Prize in the 2019 Los Angeles Conducting Competition, assistant conductor positions with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Florida Grand Opera, and Music Director positions with the University of Michigan Life Sciences Orchestra and Michigan Pops Orchestra. Past guest conducting highlights have included engagements with the Detroit Symphony, Toledo Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois, Peabody Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, Mr. Craven is passionate about performing the works of living composers. Orlando Arts Magazine said of the “captivating” world premiere of Donald Yu’s Four Seasons, that Craven “held the ensemble together with precision, allowing each instrument to resonate while minding the role of the soloist.”

Previously a prize-winning trumpet player, Todd began his professional career as Principal Trumpet of the Sarasota Orchestra and performed with the New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony and as a frequent guest artist at the Sarasota Music Festival. Mr. Craven studied orchestral conducting at the University of Michigan and the Peabody Conservatory. His mentors include Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, Kenneth Kiesler, Donald Schleicher and William Wiedrich.

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

About us...

The mission of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is to connect people of all ages to classical and orchestral music. The 65 piece ensemble draws from excellent musicians across the Panhandle and produces a concert series from October through March/ April at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.

In addition to featuring world-class soloists and offering an exciting and impactful concert experience, we are committed to promoting music education and orchestral performance opportunities for all young people through our youth orchestra program (NFSYO) and annual education concerts. The NFSO strives to forge new collaborations and connections with our immediate and surrounding communities with the goal to enrich the cultural lives of everyone in the Northwest Florida region.

The Northwest Florida Symphony Guild is designed to support the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and its educational outreach programs such as the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Annual Concerto Competition. If you have a love for music and want to pass on the appreciation to future generations, join the Guild today!

For more information, visit mattiekellyartscenter.org/nfso.

Board of Trustees

Chair Thomas “Rudy” Wright, Vice-Chair Charlotte Flynt

Litke Jack “Tanner” Peacock

Jon

Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

Ward

NFSO Concert Schedule 2023 - 2024

War & Peace Oct. 21

HANDEL: Overture to the Royal Fireworks Music

SHUYING-LI: Purple Mountains (commission)

PROKOFIEV: Symphonic Suite from War and Peace (selections)

HOLST: The Planets

Join us for our epic season opener with an emotional roller-coaster of music from the Baroque to the 21st century! Hear the premiere of a new work by rising star composer Shuying-Li about the Nanking Massacre in her native China during WWII; bathe in the incredible ballet music of the great 20th century Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev with the full NFSO chorale; experience Gustav Holst’s famous nine-movement suite The Planets coordinated with the latest NASA imagery of our solar system.

6 p.m. Pre-concert lecture with Maestro Todd Craven in Tyler Recital Hall

7p.m. Concert

MKAC Mainstage

Tickets $30

18 & Under $16

Stars of Tomorrow Feb. 10

Star-Crossed Lovers

MOZART: Overture to the Marriage of Figaro

CONCERTI: TBD

PROKOFIEV: Selections from Romeo and Juliet, Suites No. 1 and 2

The first half features the outstanding junior, high school and collegiate winners of our John Leatherwood Concerto Competition. Experience the powerful ballet music from the great Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev in his musical depiction of the story of Romeo and Juliet.

6 p.m. Pre-concert lecture with Maestro Todd Craven in Tyler Recital Hall

7 p.m. Concert

MKAC Mainstage

Tickets $30

18 & Under $16

For Orchestra tickets visit

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at mattiekellyartscenter.org

Handel : Messiah Dec. 2 - 3 Holiday Pops Dec. 8

The NFSO Chorale and guest soloists/ Darrin Scott Isaac, Director

What better way to ring in the holiday season than being a part of the great tradition of Handel’s Messiah featuring our NFSO Chorale and outstanding local soloists. The orchestra travels to two beautiful local church venues to perform this great music.

Dec 2 – 7 p.m.

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Niceville, FL

Dec 3 – 2:30 p.m

Point Washington United Methodist Church, Point Washington, FL

The NFSO is pleased to present Holiday Pops ’23: A Towne and Country Christmas!

This year we go on a grand tour of musical selections inspired by holiday life in the city and the country.

Our first half will feature Voices of Northwest Florida, Dr. Devin Stephenson on piano, then the prodigious talent of a winner from our Stars of Tomorrow concerto competition.

The seccond half highlights our NFSO Chorale, Unified Gospel Choir and guest country artists The Swon Brothers, performing their popular country hits with holiday favorites accompanied by the full forces of the NFSO!

7 p.m. Tickets $45

18 & Under $16

Tickets $20

18 & Under $10

Voices of Northwest Florida

Carmina Burana Mar. 9 & 10

VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis ORFF: Carmina Burana

A first-ever co-production with the Northwest Florida Ballet featuring original choreography by Artistic Director, Todd Eric Allen and Gregory Schramel, Artistic Director of New Orleans Ballet Theatre.

On the second half, we join the Northwest Florida Ballet to present Carl Orff’s 1934 masterpiece Carmina Burana; an uprorious and intoxicating depiction of a medieval paradise based on texts dating back to the 11th century. This eclectic partnership features the full forces of the NFSO, led by Maestro Todd Craven along with the Northwest Florida Ballet dancers, soloists from the New Orleans Ballet Theatre and rising operatic stars Sarah Vautour, Lunga Eric Hallam and Ben Taylor. The Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale round out this incredible ensemble of artists. Maestro Todd Craven conducts.

6 p.m. Pre-concert lecture with Maestro Todd Craven in Tyler Recital Hall

March 9, 7:30 p.m.

March 10, 2:30 p.m.

MKAC Mainstage

Tickets $45

12 & Under $20

Hurry to save the best seats in the house to every exciting concert this season!

The Swon Brothers

MKAC Mainstage

For Orchestra tickets visit

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at mattiekellyartscenter.org

Nov..

A not-to-be-missed event featuring world-famous operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee and internationally acclaimed trumpet soloist David Spencer. Accompanied by the full forces of the Northwest Florida Symphony and Chorale, we feature music from opera, musical theater, gospel and Americana.

Artists from Pensacola Opera and the NWFSC Unified Gospel Choir will be joining us.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available. Guests will be treated to a post-concert reception of champagne and dessert and an opportunity to meet guest artists Lawrence Brownlee and David Spencer.

The Northwest Florida Ballet and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra come together every year to perform this timeless classic! Enjoy the incredible music of Tchaikovsky performed by live orchestra. The NFSO performs under the direction of NFB conductor, Maestro David Ott.

November 17 7:30 p.m.

November 18 7:30 p.m.

November 19 2:30 p.m.

MKAC Mainstage

Tickets $45

12 & Under $20

Feb. 18

NFSO Education Concerts 2023-2024

5th Grade Education Concert Jan. 17 Carnegie Hall Link Up Mar. 26-27

“Going for a Ride!”

We are going on a fun adventure together with the help of our wonderful Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra! We will be transported by all kinds of crazy things: A Russian sleigh, a flying horse, an old steampowered train, and even a flying bike! Inspired by the music, you can use your imagination to create your own personal amusement park! Joining us is the talented junior division winner of our annual John Leatherwood Concerto Competition.

Students in grades 3–5 are given the opportunity to join the orchestra in this highly participatory program, in which they learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom and perform with a professional orchestra from their seats in a culminating concert at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Orchestras across the country and around the world are also taking part in Link Up, in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

The John Leatherwood Concerto Competition

Nov. 4

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra hosts an annual Panhandlewide concerto competition for young artists. Please join us for the live final round, free to the public, in Tyler Recital Hall (on the NWFSC campus) on November 4th this year!

Winners are selected to perform alongside the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra in the annual Stars of Tomorrow concert on the Mattie Kelly Arts Center’s Main Stage on February 10, 2024.

November 4 10:00 a.m.

Tyler Recital Hall

For more information about the competition go to: https://mattiekellyartscenter.org/ home-2/northwest-florida-symphony-orchestra/ john-leatherwood-concerto-competition/

Concert not open to the public

Concert not open to the public