Sarasota Orchestra has received a $70,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which comes from the Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman Fund II. In addition to being the Foundation Title Sponsor for Sarasota Orchestra’s 2023-2024 Dinner Series, the Community Foundation’s grant funding will support Celebrate 75, the Orchestra’s Special Concert & Gala event, and the return of the family concert, Peter and the Wolf. As the Orchestra continues its search for a Music Director, six of the world’s most compelling conductors are coming to be part of Sarasota Orchestra’s 75th Anniversary season celebration. With funding from the Community Foundation, the Dinner Series offers an opportunity to meet these renowned maestros and dine with them at Sarasota’s most distinguished venues. Each unique dinner features a short performance by select Sarasota Orchestra musicians and a moderated conversation with the featured guest conductor. Hear them share their perspective and approach to making music, as well as the stories behind their passion for the classics. By funding the Dinner Series, this generous grant from the Community Foundation also provides essential support for Sarasota Orchestra’s full artistic season, which began this month and runs through May 2024. Sarasota Orchestra’s season of programming includes performances in a variety of venues and formats and is comprised of concerts in five different series: Masterworks, Discoveries, Chamber Soirées, Pops and Great Escapes. The season concludes with the ever-popular Outdoor Pops concerts at Ed Smith Stadium. Following the success of the program last season, and with the backing of the Community Foundation, Sarasota Orchestra is thrilled to offer two performances of Peter and the Wolf this season, one in English and one in Spanish. Both performances will take place on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Holley Hall in the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center. Additionally, before and after each concert, children will get the chance to make some joyful noise in our musical "petting zoo," where they will be able to touch and interact with real instruments, meet Sarasota Orchestra musicians, and create their own music-themed arts and crafts! To serve all of our attendees and guests, Sarasota Orchestra will be doing a “petting zoo” in both English and Spanish.