The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra began in the fall of 1978 and gave its first concert in January 1979, as the Charlotte Chamber Orchestra. The group was formed by Fred Blake from string players of the Charlotte "Pops" Orchestra. Musicians were unpaid for many years, but financing for music and other expenses was raised by community garage sales and donations. Originally a chamber orchestra of 13 s
tring players, wind and percussion players were added in 1980 to enable an expanded repertoire to be played. The orchestra continued to expand during the next six years under the direction of conductor Fred Blake. The orchestra now includes 55-70 players, depending on the score requirements. The Charlotte Chamber Music Society, Inc., was organized in 1980 to support the Charlotte Chamber Orchestra and foster chamber music in Charlotte County. The Chamber Music Society was incorporated and registered as a nonprofit corporation under Florida Statues in Chapter 617 in 1987. On May 25, 1989, the Charlotte Chamber Music Society, Inc., was officially renamed the Charlotte Symphony Society, Inc., in order to reflect both the increased size of the orchestra and the repertoire being played. The name was again changed in August of 2003 to Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Inc. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra now performs four classical concerts, three "Pops" Concerts (Symphonic Fireworks on July 4th , Holiday Magic concert at Christmas time and a springtime "Pops" concert) and a September concert for all 4th grade students in Charlotte County. In 1993, due to failing health, Fred Blake was unable to continue conducting the orchestra. The Symphony Board announced the appointment of Janita Hauk, former concertmaster and assistant music director, as the music director/conductor. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, under her direction, expanded and is now comprised completely of paid musicians selected through an audition process. After 16 years Janita Hauk retired in April 2009 as Music Director/Conductor and the Charlotte Symphony hired it’s current Music Director/Conductor, Toshimasa Francis Wada whose first official concert was the July 4th Symphonic Fireworks performance at the Charlotte Event and Conference Center. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, in addition to providing symphony concerts to the Charlotte County area, is also involved in providing musical education and opportunities for young people. In 2006 the Friends of Music organization dissolved and left it’s remaining funds to the Charlotte Symphony to start and maintain a Summer Strings Program for Charlotte students that play string instruments. Future plans will expand the student program over the next several years to include instruments of all types. The Orchestra’s permanent performance venue for classical music is the Center for Performing Arts and Education located in Punta Gorda on the campus of Charlotte High School. The Symphony facilitated the selection and purchase of a nine foot Steinway concert grand piano for the Performing Arts Center when it opened in 2002. The new Charlotte Event and Conference Center is the venue for all the "Pops" concerts each year.
