Symphonic Shorts
FPO Bankruptcy Update
Philharmonic Hall Sold
The courts have approved the sale of the rehearsal hall to FramFed7 for $1.35 million. The backup bid for the building was by Alex Nichols for $1.34 million. Both of these significantly exceeded the John Galt benchmark bid of $1 million, ensuring that more funds will be available for distribution to creditors.
Music Library Sold
The library sale to the Dade Community Foundation for $200,000 was approved by the courts. The library will remain in south Florida for at least the next five years, in hopes that a new orchestra will be formed to take possession of it.
Auction
An auction was held on January 22 to liquidate the remainder of the Philharmonic’s assets, including equipment and instruments. The three-hour auction brought in $170,000.
News & Announcements
The Master Chorale of South Florida has been formed by former members of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus. The group plans to perform major works for chorus and orchestra in the tri-county area.
Arts Councils/Advisory Boards have been formed for the first time by Deerfield Beach, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Weston, and Wilton Manors. These organizations will provide financial and technical assistance and public services to help provide access to the arts.
A New Broward County Grant Program has awarded $96,000 for arts education projects. Recipients include Hallandale Beach, which will offer after-school choral and instrumental classes, and Plantation, which will offer after-school music theater classes in collaboration with Imagine Stage Company.
The City Of Hollywood will break ground for its ArtsPark this spring.
Gary Margolis was elected Vice President of Arts for a Complete Education/Florida Alliance for Arts Education, which develops coalitions to advocate arts education.
The Jacksonville Symphony, facing a $2 million deficit, has asked musicians to take a ten percent pay cut, as well as eliminate pension contributions and paid leave and reduce the season by two weeks.
NEA 2004 Creativity Grants
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Florida West Coast Symphony, $10,000
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New World Symphony, $60,000
Musicians Wanted
The Hollywood Playhouse is looking for classical ensembles for a concert series it is planning. If you have an ensemble, please send a promo pack to Local 655, which will handle bookings. Please include in your promo pack:
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Photo of ensemble
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Biographical material
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Repertoire list
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Audio demos (CD preferred)
Send material to Local 655 at:
5861 SW 21 St
Hollywood FL 33023
Call us at (954) 925-1996 if you have questions!
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