Florida Philharmonic Orchestra
| Company type | Symphony orchestra |
|---|---|
| Industry | Classical music |
| Founded | February 15, 1985 |
| Defunct | May 14, 2003 |
| Headquarters | Fort Lauderdale , United States |
Area served | South Florida metropolitan area (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties) |
Key people | James Judd (Music Director), Emerson Buckley (Founding Music Director), Joseph Silverstein (Acting Music Director) |
Number of employees | 80 full-time musicians |
The Florida Philharmonic Orchestra (FPO), initially established in 1985 under the name Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida, was a symphony orchestra headquartered in Fort Lauderdale. It catered to audiences throughout the South Florida metropolitan area, encompassing Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The ensemble consisted of roughly 80 full-time, tenured musicians and was predominantly directed by British conductor and music director James Judd. Financial challenges ultimately led to the orchestra's closure, with its final performance held in Boca Raton, FL, on May 9, 2003.
History
Formed through the consolidation of the Fort Lauderdale Symphony Orchestra and the Boca Raton Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida ('POOF') officially came into existence on February 15, 1985, although its operations had effectively begun in August 1984. This new organization stepped in to fill the void left by the dissolution of the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982. At its height, it stood as Florida’s largest performing arts institution and ranked as the 20th largest orchestra nationwide. Rehearsals took place at Philharmonic Hall, a modest but acoustically challenging venue on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, formerly used by the Fort Lauderdale Symphony. Early concerts were hosted at Fort Lauderdale’s War Memorial Auditorium.
In addition to its subscription concerts throughout the Tri-County area, the orchestra served as the resident pit ensemble for the Florida Grand Opera until 2000—a vital revenue stream. The organization also prioritized education by delivering numerous Tri-County concerts aimed at introducing classical music to hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren across South Florida.
Early years
Emerson Buckley, who had been music director of the Fort Lauderdale orchestra since 1963, led the newly formed orchestra until 1986. In pursuit of broader national acclaim, British conductor James Judd was appointed in May 1987 following several guest conducting appearances. At the onset of his leadership, Judd expressed confidence in the potential growth of classical music within South Florida.
The 1990s
The orchestra adopted its new name, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, in December 1990.
Among its notable achievements were several highly praised recordings, including Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, recorded in September 1993. Released in August 1994, this recording earned accolades as the best Mahler recording of that year from the Gustav Mahler Society and was designated Recording of the Month by Stereophile, recognized as "one of the finest orchestral recordings of the digital age."
From 1991 through 2000, pianist Peter Nero spearheaded a multi-location pops concert series titled Peter Nero and Pops at the Philharmonic, which became the organization’s leading source of income.
Throughout the 1990s under Judd’s direction, both the orchestra’s size and artistic quality expanded considerably. Audience attendance grew markedly, and plans for international tours were explored. Nevertheless, persistent financial struggles and conflicts between musicians and management culminated in a strike during autumn 2000.
Toward the end of the decade, Judd revealed intentions for the Florida Philharmonic to become the resident ensemble at a forthcoming performing arts center in downtown Miami—initially named Miami PAC, later known as Carnival Center, and eventually renamed Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Although groundbreaking was postponed until 1999 and construction commenced earnestly in 2001, the orchestra disbanded before completion of this facility. When it opened in late 2006, The Cleveland Orchestra was designated as its resident company instead of the Florida Philharmonic.
2000 Strike
During the summer of 2000, contract discussions frequently stalled, leading to heightened friction between the musicians and orchestra management. The primary contention centered on the orchestra's compensation, which had remained below average and fallen behind comparable ensembles such as the Atlanta Symphony since at least 1991. Management's final proposal prior to the 2000-01 season offered a 5% wage increase over a single year, a suggestion that union representative Andrew Lewinter dismissed as "extremely disrespectful," especially in light of recent financial surpluses and previous salary freezes. Consequently, the musicians' union initiated a strike on September 25; nevertheless, musicians independently organized volunteer performances for the community without management involvement.
After a strike lasting one month, the orchestra agreed to a 30% salary raise spread over five years, though musicians expressed dissatisfaction with compromises made regarding job security. Concerts recommenced on October 26, 2000, featuring Beethoven's Fifth and Sixth Symphonies at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Judd resignation
Following the strike, financial difficulties in 2001 prompted reductions in musician pay and staff layoffs by management. In November of that year, music director James Judd resigned after serving nearly fifteen years. Philharmonic board chairman Bob Levinson appeared taken aback by this development. Relations had deteriorated due to management's criticism of Judd’s expensive and somewhat "mildly adventurous" programming choices, as well as constraints placed on his ability to independently terminate musicians. Judd’s departure came shortly after an artistic committee was established to share control over programming decisions.
On November 27, veteran violinist and conductor Joseph Silverstein was promptly named Acting Music Director for a two-season tenure.
Collapse and bankruptcy
By early 2003, the orchestra was experiencing critical financial hardships. Although musicians accepted cumulative salary and benefit reductions amounting to $3.2 million, chairman Daniel R. Lewis announced in April that an additional $20 million was essential to prevent bankruptcy by May. The organization had already engaged a bankruptcy attorney, with management openly acknowledging the impending crisis.
Subsequently, the funding requirement was lowered to $4 million; however, Executive Director Trey Devey reported "no significant progress" toward securing these funds. The orchestra’s final performance took place on May 9, 2003, in Boca Raton, Florida. After an emotionally charged concert met with prolonged applause, Devey appealed for a "hero" to save the institution. Ninety minutes later, it was announced that all musicians’ contracts were terminated.
On May 14, 2003, the orchestra formally filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Despite aspirations for restructuring, the Florida Philharmonic never resumed operations—a situation exacerbated by the Cleveland Orchestra’s announcement in 2007 of a decade-long residency in Miami.
Controversy regarding bankruptcy
The orchestra’s dissolution provoked criticism toward management’s approach to its financial emergency. Chairman Dan Lewis’s ultimatum on April 22 demanding $20 million or facing immediate bankruptcy was perceived by some as aggressive and potentially alienating to potential donors. Lewis defended his strategy as necessary given limited time, stating, "I feel good about what we did. I feel terrible about the outcome, but I think we did a good job."
Cleveland Orchestra and potential conflicts of interest
Following the dissolution of the Florida Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra's residency in Miami was announced, resulting in a shift of donor funds away from efforts to reestablish a symphony orchestra based in South Florida. A former member of the orchestra remarked that this development would "undoubtedly hinder Miami and South Florida from having a symphony orchestra anytime soon." Additionally, a previous artistic advisor commented that it "discourages and possibly deters individuals from providing the financial support and energy essential to developing a high-caliber orchestra in Miami."
Daniel Lewis, originally from Cleveland and a former board member of the Florida Philharmonic, made unprecedented financial contributions to the Cleveland Orchestra, including a record $10 million gift. This raised concerns regarding conflicts of interest due to Lewis' monetary support of Cleveland, questions about his involvement in managing the Florida Philharmonic's financial difficulties, and his role in launching Cleveland’s Miami residency during and after the Florida orchestra's failure. While some dismissed these worries as unfounded, others—including former musicians—claimed Lewis intended to "eliminate the orchestra," thereby paving the way for Cleveland’s financially thriving Miami residency.
Organizational challenges
A 2003 editorial by the Miami Herald identified management shortcomings as a critical factor in the orchestra's demise. The financial crisis appeared to catch leadership by surprise, shifting rapidly from optimism to public announcements of impending collapse. Frequent turnover within management impeded the establishment of a sustainable long-term growth plan.
Concerns were expressed regarding chairman Daniel Lewis' fundraising demand issued on April 22, requesting an immediate $20 million to avoid disbandment. A prominent South Florida arts patron described this demand as "unrealistic" given the limited timeframe. When local supporters did not meet this target within ten days, Lewis reduced the required amount to $4 million with just one week to raise it, indicating possible deficiencies in financial planning by management.
Beethoven by the Beach
Beethoven by the Beach was an annual music festival inaugurated by the Florida Philharmonic in July 1997 and held every summer throughout its existence. The event featured performances of Beethoven’s compositions alongside lectures, films, and eventually broadened its repertoire to include works by other composers.
Beethoven Festival Youth Orchestra
In 2002, as part of the festival, the Florida Philharmonic launched the Beethoven Festival Youth Orchestra. Under the direction of FPO violist Steven Svensson, this youth ensemble performed at the Broward County Main Library on July 7 and collaborated in a side-by-side concert with the FPO on July 13, shortly before the orchestra declared bankruptcy in 2003.
Performance venues
| Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Fort Lauderdale, FL. | |
| Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
West Palm Beach, FL. | |
| Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL. | |
| Gusman Center for the Performing Arts
Miami, FL. | |
| Miami-Dade County Auditorium
Miami, FL. | |
| Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Coral Springs, FL. | |