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The Florida State University Orchestras have enjoyed a long and illustrious history. The Florida State College Orchestra was formed in 1925 by violin professor Ethel Maud and in 1947, with the change from a college for women to a coeducational university, the College Orchestra became known as the University Symphony under the leadership of Robert Sedore. In 1949, Karl Kuersteiner formed the State Symphony of Florida, the predecessor of the FSU Chamber Orchestra. From 1967 until 1971 the Chamber Orchestra was led by former Boston Symphony Orchestra associate conductor, Richard Burgin. In 1972 Phillip Spurgeon assumed the post of director of orchestral activities. During his tenure, FSU’s orchestral program saw dramatic growth artistically and in scope. In 2000, the University Philharmonia was created under the direction of Alexander Jiménez and since 2004 Jiménez has served as director of orchestral activities conducting both the University Philharmonia and the University Symphony Orchestra, as well as leading the graduate orchestral conducting program. The University Symphony Orchestra has made numerous recordings on the Koch, Mark and Naxos labels. Ernő Dohnányi gave his final public performance conducting the University Symphony Orchestra in Tallahassee on January 30, 1960. |
