The Venice Symphony 2024-2025 Season Brochure, 240319.1

Dear Friends,

As Music Director/Conductor of The Venice Symphony, it is my privilege to lead what I believe is one of the finest orchestras in the south. The incredible 75 musicians of The Venice Symphony come from all over the state of Florida to present a symphonic music experience that will stay with you long after the music ends.

We welcome you back in October with a concert that I hope will become a fall tradition, our symphonic “Spooktacular” where you will hear the chilling strings from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Mussorgsky’s haunting Night on Bald Mountain. In November, we will bring you a concert featuring the undisputed masters of the classical music universe, Beethoven, Brahms, and Haydn. It’s the perfect concert for those just discovering the joy and power of classical music and for those of you who have been listening for decades.

Of course, we will be here for you at the holidays with our popular program of seasonal favorites. This year’s guest vocalist is Tony and Grammy nominee and Emmy Award-winning actress and recording artist Liz Callaway.

Our next concert is something new for The Venice Symphony. I have programmed some of the most memorable works from the world of sports. You’ll hear music from Rocky, Rudy, and yes, even Beethoven. This season also brings you A Salute to the Pops and Hollywood In Venice, showcasing the greatest music from the big screen with guest vocalist, L.A.-based Soprano Suzanne Waters.

I’m excited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, an American classic, with a concert of all Gershwin music, featuring prodigy pianist Conrad Tao, who has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Boston Symphony. We conclude our season at the Venice Performing Arts Center with Cosmic Worlds as we welcome classical saxophonist Kenneth Radnofsky and perform the massive Planets by Gustav Holst, a Venice Symphony first!

Read on to learn more about the phenomenal music we have planned for you and our remarkable guest artists.

Troy Quinn, Music Director/Conductor The Venice Symphony

Welcome.

Welcome to The Venice Symphony. Music Director Troy Quinn has programmed a season of concerts blending the greatest classical works with contemporary music designed to appeal to everyone who appreciates the transformative power of truly great symphonic music.

The Venice Symphony’s reputation of presenting unforgettable concerts and a challenging repertoire has helped us build an orchestra of the country’s most superb musicians and attract world-renowned guest artists. Audiences keep coming back and newcomers to The Symphony, almost without fail, return for more.

More! At almost every concert, someone will say to me, “We want more.” In this program brochure you will read about our traditional series at the state-of-the art Venice Performing Arts Center and more.

For the first time, The Venice Symphony will begin its season in October, with Troy Quinn and the orchestra performing a Symphonic Spooktacular, growing our season to eight concert weekends and giving you one more opportunity to experience The Symphony.

We are also adding more non-traditional concerts. In addition to our annual celebratory Patriotic Pops concert in May, The Symphony will present The Rat Pack is Back. The Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra and Michael Andrew, former headliner and bandleader of the legendary Rainbow Room in New York City, will transport you to a time and place when crooners like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin dominated the world of music and pop culture.

There are also more opportunities for you to become involved with The Symphony and make your concert experience even more memorable. Attend our popular free pre-concert talk series featuring Troy Quinn and our guest artists. When you order your tickets, you can also join The Venice Symphony Chair Society, The Friends of The Symphony, our Musician Host Program, and our new Legacy Circle. You will find information throughout this program book, and of course, you can contact us year-round at The Venice Symphony office.

From the timeless works of Beethoven and Vivaldi to the uplifting themes of classic films, the spirited sounds of American “Pops” and the incomparable George Gershwin, you will find MORE of the music you love here at The Venice Symphony.

As always, I look forward to seeing you at the Symphony.

Christine Kasten, President & CEO

The

Venice Symphony

symphonic SPOOKTACULAR A

Gather witches, wizards, and ghosts for our newest addition to the concert season, a ‘not-so-scary’ Spooktacular featuring a harmonious collaboration of symphonic sounds and storytelling. Become entranced by Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho: A Short Suite for String Orchestra and travel to otherworldly dimensions with music from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and other mystical medleys.

October 11th 2024

7:30pm

October 12th 2024 3:30pm

Photo Credit: Elliott Corn

Instrumental INFLUENCERS #

Meet the original classical #influencers. From Beethoven to Vivaldi, Haydn, and Brahms, at this concert you’ll discover their common connection! Celebrate the legacy of classical music and composition with timeless works from the masters.

November 15th 2024

7:30pm

November 16th 2024

3:30pm + 7:30pm

holidays home the for

4 Performances!

Experience the most wonderful time of the year with family and friends at our annual celebration of music and togetherness. Become immersed in beloved Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes such as The First Noel, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Sleigh Ride and We Wish You A Merry Christmas that are sure to fill your heart with joy and memories. Our guest vocalist, Liz Callaway, will sing you into the holiday spirit!

December 20th 2024

7:30pm

December 21st 2024

3:30 + 7:30pm

December 22nd 2024 3:30pm

With Venice Symphony Concertmaster, Marcus Ratzenboeck

Liz Callaway

Guest Artist

Orchestrated sports

Celebrating some of the most recognizable music of sports, from football fight songs to figure skating waltzes, and inspirational renditions from Rocky to Rudy, you’ll huddle up for those moments of triumph and heartache. You’ll also cheer for An All-Star Suite featuring Beethoven and Respighi.

January 10th 2025

pops! A Salute to

Take a trip down memory lane with The Venice Symphony’s Salute to the Pops! concert. Hear popular orchestral music throughout the years, including the Boston Pops March, Bugler’s Holiday, Leroy Anderson’s Yankee Doodle, Seventy Six Trombones from The Music Man, and more!

January 31st 2025

February 1st 2025

inVENICE HOLLYWOOD

Relive some of the most well-known big screen musical classics of all timethe music that made the movies, from composers of the silver screen’s golden age to emerging talents. This cinematic journey includes music from A Summer Place, Ben-Hur, Mary Poppins, Thor: The Dark World, Top Gun: Maverick, Madagascar, and Hooray for Hollywood.

Our guest vocalist for this concert is Suzanne Waters.

February 21st 2025

7:30pm

February 22nd 2025 3:30pm + 7:30pm

Suzanne Waters

Guest Vocalist

CRAZY for gershwin

The Venice Symphony pays tribute to beloved American composer George Gershwin with a blend of jazz and classical music selections from audience favorites An American in Paris, Girl Crazy, and Rhapsody in Blue. Guest artist and former prodigy Conrad Tao will accompany the symphony on piano for a show-stopping performance.

“The kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music”

–New York Magazine

March 14th 2025

7:30pm

March 15th 2025

3:30pm + 7:30pm

Conrad Tao

Guest Artist

3,2,1…lift off! Get ready to travel to a galaxy far, far away with The Venice Symphony. This concert features cosmic classics from award-winning composers John Williams, Franz Waxman, and Gustav Holst’s epic piece

The Planets. Our guest artist is Kenneth Radnofsky, American classical saxophonist. Get ready for a truly ‘out of this world’ concert experience.

April 25th 2025 7:30pm

April 26th 2025 3:30pm + 7:30pm

Kenneth Radnofsky

Guest Artist

one performance only

Rat Pack the back is special event

This concert is for the ultimate crooner at heart! For one night only, swing to the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other legendary artists as Pete Barrenbregge leads The Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra for an evening you won’t forget. Our guest vocalist for this concert is Michael Andrew, famed headline singer and bandleader of New York City’s Rainbow Room.

March 22nd 2025 3:30pm

Led by Pete Barrenbregge, Music Director of The Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra.

Michael Andrew

Guest Artist

Guest Artists

2024-2025 Season

Liz Callaway

Tony Award nominee, Emmy winner and newly-minted Grammy nominee Liz Callaway made her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. Liz sang the Academy Award-nominated song “Journey to the Past” in the animated feature Anastasia. Other film work includes Aladdin, The Swan Princess, Beauty and the Beast, and The Rewrite with Hugh Grant.

Marcus Ratzenboeck

Concertmaster Marcus Ratzenboeck has had a prolific career for over two decades as a performing, touring, and recording artist. He has worked with several major record labels and countless artists. He earned top five spots on Billboard charts with a platinum selling band. Marcus received his Master of Music degree from Indiana University. He held the position of Principal of The Louisville Orchestra and faculty at the University Of Louisville.

Conrad Tao

Conrad Tao has appeared worldwide as a pianist and composer and has been dubbed “the kind of musician who is shaping the future of classical music” by New York Magazine, and an artist of “probing intellect and open-hearted vision” by The New York Times. As a composer, his work has been performed by orchestras throughout the world.

Suzanne Waters

With over 200 major motion picture and TV credits to her name, Suzanne Waters has a unique ability to sing a variety of styles with musical authenticity. As a member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, she performs regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and has been a featured soloist for several LA Master Chorale concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Michael Andrew

For two years, Michael Andrew was the headline singer and bandleader at the world famous Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center in New York City where he entertained audiences nightly and hosted a live Radio Broadcast, “Live From The Rainbow Room.” He performs often as a guest artist with symphonic orchestras across the country and with his own orchestras Swingerhead, The Atomic Big Band, and The Gershwin Big Band.

Kenneth Radnofsky

Kenneth Radnofsky has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras including the Leipzig Gewandhaus and New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur, Jerusalem Symphony with Gisele Ben-Dor and Boston Pops with John Williams. The 100 plus solo works he has commissioned also include those by Netzer, Trester, Colgrass, Harbison, Martino, Gandolfi, and more.

to the SYMPHONY Subscribe

Season Subscriptions and Packages Available

• Save 10% on subscriptions for all 8 concerts (priority seating)

• Save 5% on packages of 4 to 7 concerts (priority seating)

• No online fees

• Free ticket exchanges for season subscribers

Ticket Discounts

• Group Discount – 10% for groups of 10 or more

• Student Discount – 50% off all tickets

• FL Educator Discount – 25% off all tickets

Questions?

Call 941.207.8822 or email music@thevenicesymphony.org

For more information, visit thevenicesymphony.org

Scan the QR code to visit our website.

Subscription Order Form | The Venice Symphony 2024-2025 Season

Only FULL SEASON SUBSCRIBERS that purchase all eight programs may renew their same seats. While we will do our best to honor seat requests for purchases of less than full season, we are unable to guarantee them. Please return your completed order form by May 15, 2024. Seating assignments begin June 1, 2024.

Seating Information | Regular Season

Please circle and label your first and second choices for seating.

I/WE are:

A renewing full season subscriber (all 8 concerts) and wish to keep my seats. Seat(s) ______

A new subscriber; assign to me the best available seats in my preferred section(s).

Requesting wheelchair accessible seating for ______ seat(s)

Further explain your request:

Seating Information | TVS Jazz Orchestra

The Rat Pack is Back Sat, March 22 @ 3:30pm

Please circle and label your first and second choices for seating.

Payment Method

A check made payable to The Venice Symphony is enclosed, check #

Transfer amount to reverse side.

This is a stand‐alone concert, separate from the 24‐25 season, and with no discounted seating.

Tickets will be assigned based upon preference circled or noted.

Mail to PO Box 1561, Venice, FL 34284

Credit card # Expiration Date

Cardholder’s Signature Security Code

If you pay by check, please note that if there is a discrepancy between your ticket selection and what was assigned, differences of $20 or less will be considered a donation to the symphony. If payment is made by credit card, the exact amount will be charged to your card. Credit card payments will be processed when seats are assigned.

Refund / Exchange Policy There are NO REFUNDS unless the concert is cancelled or postponed. Free ticket exchanges are offered for Season Subscribers – full season or package of 4, 5, 6 or 7 concerts. There are NO exchanges during concert weekend.

theSYMPHONY Support

The personal investment of our patrons, donors and community partners is vital to The Venice Symphony, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Your gifts and contributions are essential to acquiring top talent, purchasing orchestrated scores, adding additional performances inside and outside the concert hall as well as ensuring our next generation of young musicians have access to quality music education. Together, we can ensure this community’s symphonic legacy continues for generations to come.

Please renew your support or consider making your first contribution today.

Annual Fund Contributions to the Annual Fund during various campaigns throughout the year are The Venice Symphony’s primary source of operating revenue and outreach. Contributions may be given monthly, quarterly or annually.

Donor Advised Funds and IRA Distributions A contribution from your IRA or DAF, is a simple way to satisfy your RMD while achieving your charitable giving objectives. *

Employee Match Many corporations will match their current employee’s or a retiree’s donation. This can potentially double and sometimes triple the amount you give.

Living Trusts and Bequests Please let us know if you are interested in leaving a legacy gift through a will bequest, a life income gift, or by naming the Venice Symphony as a beneficiary of a retirement or life insurance plan. By doing so, you will become a Founding Member in our new Legacy Circle.

*

NEW! Monthly Giving Option An easy way to offer your support is to donate monthly through simple, recurring payments. Just choose this option when giving online or when visiting or calling our administrative offices.

Play it Forward Donate an instrument through our Play it Forward program. Your gift could make the difference to a young musician in our community.

Corporate Engagement Support our Symphony through Annual Giving, Special Events, Concert Sponsorships, Advertising and other underwriting opportunities.  Let us curate a special Corporate Giving Package for your business.

Stock and Securities Gifts of appreciated stocks are welcomed, simple and may be advantageous to the donor from a tax point of view. *

For more information on any of these opportunities, speak with a Development Team member by calling 1-941-207-8822 or visit our Administrative Offices.

*Because each situation is different, please consult your financial advisor about tax benefits.

The Venice Symphony Orchestra

Legacy Circle

Become a Legacy Circle Founding Member

The Venice Symphony is excited to announce our newest and most elite giving society: our LEGACY CIRCLE.

YOU can become a Founding Member of the Venice Symphony Legacy Circle by pledging to remember the Symphony in your will, life income gift or trust, or naming us as a beneficiary of a retirement or life insurance plan.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes knowing you have a plan in place that will have a lasting impact on something that is important to you.

Whether you would like to be recognized by name in our Legacy Circle or prefer your pledge remain anonymous, please know your gift will significantly impact the future of the Symphony and arts in our community for generations.

2024-25 Season Giving Levels

Contribution levels and benefits are based on The Venice Symphony Fiscal year from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025

in printed concert program book

> Invitation to one Thursday Evening Reception and Dress Rehearsal

to dinner with Music Director Troy Quinn and CEO Christine Kasten

Venice Symphony

of Florida. Website: www.800helpfla.com

Chair Society Join The

When you join this Giving Society of more than 100 of our most generous supporters, you will be making a commitment to securing exceptional talent for our orchestra and supporting our musicians today and in the future. Chair Society members also attend exclusive events with Troy Quinn and Symphony musicians.

The strength of the Chair Society reflects your commitment to excellence and the Venice Symphony’s mission to inspire and transform lives through exceptional music.

MEMBERSHIPS

 New  Renew

 Individual $250

 Household $500

CHAIR SPONSORSHIPS*

(Includes Society Membership)

 Section Chair $1500

 Assistant Principal $2500

 Principal Chair $3000

 Associate Concertmaster $5500

 Concertmaster $7,500

 Music Director/Maestro $10,000

Existing Sponsor has first option to renew the chair position they currently sponsor.

The Venice Symphony Season

2024-25

Chair Society Membership and Sponsorship run annually June 1st – May 31st Benefits Members Sponsors

As Members of this elite Giving Society, you will experience the Symphony more intimately through exclusive events and interactions with Music Director Troy Quinn and Venice Symphony Musicians.

First notification of upcoming special events and Symphony news!

Invitation to Fall Luncheon with guest musicians

Invitation to Spring Luncheon with Maestro Troy Quinn

Name in concert book as Chair Society Member

Invitation to a concert dress rehearsal

Name next to musician in concert book as the Named Chair

Invitation to an exclusive Sponsor & Musician Reception

Invitation to Season Celebration Event

Lunch with the Maestro and CEO

Member Household Section Chair Assistant Principal Principal Associate Concertmaster Concertmaster Maestro

Please check the box on your ticket order form to renew your sponsorship or if you would like more information regarding membership and sponsorship opportunities.