Welcome to TSOLive.org. The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is
a professional symphony orchestra dedicated to providing culturally
rich experiences of the highest quality to the citizens of North Florida
and South Georgia. The orchestra itself is composed of highly skilled
musicians from the professional community and the College of Music at
Florida State University.
Founded in 1979 by Nicholas Harsanyi, a expert violinist who was educated
with the astounding Hungarian composer Bela Bartok, the Tallahassee
Symphony Orchestra grew not only in size, but also in prestige. Harsanyi’s
eight years leading the TSO came to an end with his death in 1987.
Under new leadership in 1993, the Orchestra under went additional significant
changes, with the installation of new Music Director David Hoose. After
eleven years perfecting the organization, Hoose retired from his position
in 2005. He now resides in Boston, MA, working as Music Director for
Collage New Music, a group committed to the composition and performance
of contemporary classical.
The current TSO Music Director, Miriam Burns, made her debut in October
2006, becoming the fourth Director in the Orchestra’s history.
She is a highly esteemed Maestra, also leading the Kenosha Symphony
Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Redeemer in New York City.
A hard-working group of volunteers governs the Tallahassee Symphony
Orchestra. This Board of Directors offer up their passion for the Tallahassee
area, and are committed to providing cultural enhancement to the community.
The TSO has taken on a significant role in community enrichment and
is currently approaching its 30 year anniversary.
The TSO holds four concerts each year, two of which are dedicated to
the presentation of the Orchestra’s young musicians. The Tallahassee
Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO) is a vital program that provides musical
instruction to approximately 175 students, ranging from age six through
those in the highest level of high school.
This site also provides information on the Tallahassee Symphony Society
(TSS), an organization that was formed in 1992 to provide support to
the TSO through fundraising activities. The TSS is an open community
of residents who are committed to the long term vitality of the TSO.
The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra is also a member of the American
Symphony Orchestra League (ASOL) which provides professional networking
and community education programs on the importance of the orchestral
tradition.
Lastly, the TSO receives public funding through the Council on Culture
and Arts for Tallahassee/Leon County (COCO), the Florida Department
of State, and the Florida Arts Council.
This site was created to provide information on the Tallahassee Symphony
Orchestra. It is not affiliated with the Orchestra leadership, but maintains
the factual integrity of all its content. It was developed to help provide
an additional resource to community members and musicians alike, developing
and disseminating information on the important work being performed
by the TSO. Stop by often for updates on one of North Florida’s
most esteemed and reputable organizations.