Draft:Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

• Comment: Hi editor. I have added some maintenance tags throughout where you have not sourced the information properly. Please find sources or remove the uncited text.
  You also only have two references- both to the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra's website. We would need significant coverage in independent secondary sources not linked to the Orchestra to prove notability. See WP:N for more information. Qcne (talk) 21:23, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

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Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
Former name	Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra
Founded	1926 (1926)
Location	Pensacola, Florida
Concert hall	Saenger Theatre
Principal conductor	Peter Rubardt
Concertmaster	Leonid Yanovskiy
Website	pensacolasymphony.com

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra (officially known as the Greater Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, formerly known as the Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra, and often abbreviated as PSO) is a symphony orchestra based in Pensacola, Florida. It is a leading orchestra in Northwest Florida since its founding in 1926. The orchestra's home is the Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. The current principal conductor and music director is Peter Rubardt.

History

Early club foundings

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, instrumental music performances began to appear in the Pensacola art scene. Music study clubs sought the first meetings and events at this time as well. In 1919, the official Pensacola Music Study Club was formed and in 1925, musicians Edwin and Louise Northup began hosting musical gatherings at their abode in the downtown of Pensacola on the southwest corners of Spring and Gregory Streets.

Initial orchestral performances

In 1926, the Civic Music Association of America sent representatives to Pensacola to promote a classical concert series featuring world-class talent. They were able to sell 800 subscriptions to this feature at $5 each. After visiting the concerts, a man by the name of John W. Borjes, a German immigrant, formed the Pensacola Philharmonic Orchestra in 1926. Professor Borjes was a musician who studied at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany. He founded the orchestra upon recognizing the need for a classical and symphony music environment for the Pensacola community. His mission was to make this music available for people in the relatively small town of Pensacola at the time, since classical music was only majorly performed in large cities. Borjes proved he was an excellent fit for the early orchestra as he was the music director of multiple orchestras including New York's Shubert Theatre and Memphis' Orpheum Theatre.

The early ensemble consisted of 20 people and was debuted at a free concert at Pensacola High School.

New music director, a new home, and name changes

After the initial years of performances and success, the symphony underwent multiple name changes. In the 1950s, the legal name of the orchestra was changed to the Greater Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, which still remains today as its official name. The conductor at the time of these major changes was Dr. John Venetozzi. After the official establishment of the orchestra, many other organizations branched out of it. In 1956, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Orchestra was established, and in 1973, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Guild was formed. These early additions to the orchestra helped establish the reputation and logistical well-being throughout the rest of its lifetime.

After a renovation in 1982, the Saenger Theatre became the home of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Grier Williams. At the time, Williams was the founder and director of the music department at the University of West Florida.

Newest conductor and recent history

In 1997, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra welcomed its newest conductor and music director, Peter Rubardt. He is still the conductor today. He is a major figure in Pensacola and has helped majorly develop the orchestra as his career has progressed. The orchestra has continued to perform classical music as when it was founded, but it has adopted different styles of music, including jazz, pops, and contemporary classical music.

In 2003, a capital program was launched by the PSO with the help of Dr. Rubardt to assist in the orchestra's modern growth. New percussion equipment was provided, extra concerts were added to the seasons, musician compensation was increased, and community-involved programs--although already existent--were expanded in order the grow the orchestra.

Musicians

First Violin	Second Violin	Viola
Leonid Yanovskiy Concertmaster Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Guild Chair Petra Bubanja Associate Concertmaster Enen Yu Concertmaster Pensacola Opera Productions Maeanna Callahan Edward Charity Ken Davis Burcu Goker Molly Hollingsworth William Jackson Gosia Leska Natasha Marsalli Tania Moldovan Ingrid Roberts	Grace Kim Principal Brian Brown Juliana Gaviria Ellen Grant Joe Ortiguera Alejandro Romero Megan Sahely Barbara Withers Nathan Witter	Michael Fernandez Principal Marion Viccars Chair Victor Andzulis Brian Brown Rossana Cauti Amaro Dubois Courtney Grant Jim Lichtenberger Daniela Pardo Dave Rebeck
Cello	Double Bass	Flute
Aleksandra Pereverzeva Principal Helen N. Williams Chair Jose Sunderland Litvak Family Chair Chun-hsin Chang Juan Jose Gutierrez Paul Hanceri Daniel Martinez Ryan Snapp	Taylor Hollyer Principal Samuel Dahmer Michael Johnson Ernie Szugyi Doug Therrien	Stephanie Riegle Principal Bethany Witter Wood Gay and Bruce Burrows Chair Sarah Jane Young Mary Elizabeth Patterson Chair
Piccolo	Oboe	English Horn
Sarah Jane Young	Matt Fossa Principal Margaret Cracchiolo Bobby and Suzanne Kahn Chair Jillian Camwell Asher Kelly	Margaret Cracchiolo
Clarinet	E♭ Clarinet	Bass Clarinet
Richard Jernigan Principal Newell Hutchinson Melissa Turner Kim Whaley	Newell Hutchinson	Melissa Turner Kim Whaley
Bassoon	Contrabassoon	Saxophone
Jeff Keesecker Principal Paul W. Runge and Phyllis G. Runge Chair Abigail Walker Richard Hopkins Kristina Nelson	Richard Hopkins	Dave Camwell Principal Chris Sacco
Horn	Trumpet	Trombone
Jacquelyn Adams Principal Claudio Torres, Jr. M.D. Chair Jodi Graham Wood Stuart Kinney Tony Chiarito James Baker	Dale Riegle Principal Marea Jo Milner Chair Jonathan Martin Ned and Jan Mayo Chair Timothy Tesh Mike Huff	Bret Barrow Principal Dona and Milton Usry Chair Don Snowden Joshua Bledsoe
Bass Trombone	Tuba	Percussion
Wess Hillman	Mike Mason Principal	Timpani Laura Noah Principal Misc. Percussion Jordan Wood Principal Adam Blackstock Matt Greenwood Pete Krostag