Upcoming Events

One of the ways by which the Friends raise money for the Orchestra is to host events throughout the year. The events include Galas and Parties, the Up Close and Personal series, and the Friends Music Appreciation Series. Events are open to all and all proceeds benefit the Orchestra.

You can make reservations for Friends' events in two ways:

Order and Pay On-line - Click the appropriate "Friends" or "Non-Friends" button to add your choice to your shopping cart. Once you are done adding items to your shopping cart click the "Go to Payments" button on the shopping cart page to be directed to the PayPal site where you can either use a PayPal account or any valid credit card for payment. You can access your shopping cart at any time by clicking the "Review Cart" button on the right side of this page.
Order and Pay By Mail - Use your browser's File, Print menu command to print this page. It will result in a simple order form you can fill out and mail with your check or credit card information to: Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic, Attn: Events, 3168 Whisper Wind Dr, Saint Cloud, FL 34771. Please note that your order and payment must be received at least 5 days before the event.

Call our treasurer, Duncan DeWahl, if you must cancel your attendance to an event. Please note that since guest counts are guaranteed to the caterer 5 days prior to the event, cancellations made 5 days or less prior to the event cannot be refunded.

Can't Make the Event?

If you can't make an event but would like make a tax deductible cash contribution to the Friends then click here.

Events Mail-In Order Form

Fill in the number of attendees for the desired events, calculate your total payment and send this form along with your check or credit card information to:

   Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
   Attn: Events
   3168 Whisper Wind Dr
   Saint Cloud, FL 34771

_____ Check enclosed

_____ Please charge my credit card:

VISA | MC | Discover | AmEx

Name on Card: _________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State: _____ ZIP: _______

Card No.: _____________________________________________________

CCV: ____________________ Expiration Date: ______ / ______

Signature: ____________________________________________________

Friends Music Appreciation Series
Musical Insights 2021
The Plaza Live
January 25, 2021; February 22, 2021; March 22, 2021; April 19, 2021

Please join us for Season 11 of the Friends “music appreciation” series, designed to enhance knowledge and enjoyment of music and the OPO! Classes will be in person but will include the option of being viewed on-line. In-person attendance will follow state guidelines at the time of the event. All classes are held at the Plaza Live, and begin at 5 PM with refreshments at 4:30 PM. $175 per person; $135 for Friends members.

January 25, 2021 - Gershwin! The Life and Music of George Gershwin: Join nationally renowned pops conductor Michael Krajewski, known for his entertaining programs and clever humor, as he introduces us to all things Gershwin. Included will be some of his most famous works such as Rhapsody in Blue, American in Paris and the Fantasy on Porgy and Bess. Always fresh and entertaining, Gershwin’s music ranks among the most American and most popular of all times.
February 22, 2021 - Beethoven: The Man, The Myth, The Music, The Legend:Celebrate Beethoven’s 250th anniversary with us as Chris Confessore explores how Beethoven’s life and music have created an almost mystical hold on our imaginations, one that resonates even into the popculture of today. Maestro Confessore, long a Musical Insights favorite for his compelling presentations, has a special affinity for Beethoven. Through musical illustrations and an insightful look into Beethoven’s life, we shall meet the true revolutionary who upended many of classical music’s cherished rules.
March 22, 2021 - OPERA! With Gabe and Grant Preisser: The artistic leaders of Opera Orlando give us a peek into the sumptuous world of opera, encompassing both sight and sound, music, visual art, and theatre. Opera Orlando’s upcoming opera Carmen is a perfect vehicle to learn about such operatic elements as orchestral adaptations, set design development, costuming and staging, along with some delightful musical examples. As one of Orlando’s most engaging and entertaining artists, Gabe Preisser, joined by his brother Grant, will be sure to artfully enlarge your operatic vocabulary – don’t miss this!
April 19, 2021 - Composer Anna Clyne:Described as a “composer of uncommon gifts” by the New York Times and “Dazzlingly Inventive” by Time Out New York, London-born Anna Clyne is this year’s composer in residence with the OPO and is considered one of this generation’s most exciting composers. Her Restless Oceans, to be performed here in April, was first performed at the Opening Ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Davos. This season’s world-premiers include compositions for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the Calidore String Quartet, the Knights, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as well as the OPO.

_____ Friends Members @ $135/person = $ _______
_____ Non-Members @ $175/person = $ _______
Total = $ _______

Earlier Events This Season

In addition to the events listed above we also sponsored a number of other events earlier this season. We hope that you were able to join us for our earlier fabulous fundraisers which are shown below. The money raised at these, and all of our events, go to the operation of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic.

You can see photographs taken at many of our events on our Photo Albums page.

Holiday Market
The Plaza Live
Thursday, December 3, 2020: 1 to 6 PM

Our first fundraiser was the Holiday Market where we sold Santa’s Bakery Goods, Boutique Items, Holiday Décor and Gifts Galore to support the Orlando Phil!