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May 21, 2025 – The 50th Season of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Announced

OCALA, Fla. (May 21, 2025) – The Ocala Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce their 2025-2026 season with timeless masterworks, exciting repertoire, and world-class soloists under the baton of Maestro Matthew Wardell. The 50th season begins June 29, 2025, with Red, White, and OSO Blue, and subscription performances begin October 2025. The upcoming season will feature six subscription concerts, seven special events, and four chamber music concerts for guests of all ages. Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at the Reilly Arts Center located at 500 NE 9th St. Ocala, FL 34470.

The Symphony’s special concert selection is on sale now, including the annual Red, White, and OSO Blue celebration, Nutcracker with live orchestra, and the new chamber music series in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center.

“Planning our 50th Anniversary Season was both a joy and a responsibility. After much research, listening, and reflection, each piece I’ve programmed was thoughtfully chosen and has deliberate meaning. This milestone season reflects the heart of “Your Orchestra, Your Music.” It features repertoire that will absolutely thrill and delight, world-class soloists joining us from home and abroad, and a collective program that surpasses anything we’ve done before. The 2025-26 season is not only a celebration of our first 50 years but a bold statement that—with your continued support—your orchestra will be playing your music for the next 50 years and beyond” – Matthew Wardell, Music Director.

Current Ocala Symphony Subscribers can renew their subscriptions today by calling our box office at 352-351-1606 or visiting in person during our hours Tuesday through Friday 10 AM to 2 PM. New subscribers can begin purchasing on July 1 at 10 AM. Click here to complete the early bird registration form and be among the first contacted for new subscriptions. Season subscribers can save as much as 42% over single tickets, priority seating, free ticket exchanges, and other loyalty perks. Single tickets for subscription concerts will be available starting August 1, 2025. Season support is provided by WUFT Classic and Ocala/Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau.

We will also be hosting Open Rehearsals, sponsored by AdventHealth Ocala for students and families and Coffee/Cocktails with the Conductor events. These events are free, open to the public, and serve to give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at how a concert comes together, learn more about the composers and music that you will hear during concerts, and connect with the orchestra outside of a formal concert setting. For more information about season subscriptions, essential dates, and tickets for individual concerts visit www.reillyartscenter.com/ocala-symphony.

Click here to view the full media release.

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March 26, 2025 – First Annual Bruce Kaplan Memorial Golf Tournament Raises $15,592

OCALA, Fla. (Mar. 26, 2025) – The first annual Bruce Kaplan Memorial Golf Tournament, held on Friday, February 28, at Stone Creek Golf Club, was a resounding success, raising $15,592 for the Reilly Arts Center, the home of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

“Our friend Bruce loved the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and he was a frequent visitor at the Reilly,” said Cindy Stelmar, Co-Chair of the golf tournament Steering Committee. “We deeply appreciate the strong support of our sponsors, volunteers, and the entire Stone Creek community which came together to remember Bruce and support the performing arts in Marion County.”

The tournament, hosted by members of several Stone Creek Community Clubs and friends of Bruce Kaplan, brought together over 85 golfers for a day filled with sunshine, competition, and remembrance. The event, set on the beautiful greens of Stone Creek, was a testament to the spirit of giving, with all proceeds benefiting the Reilly Arts Center’s mission to provide exceptional arts experiences to the Ocala community. A heartfelt thank you goes to all the sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who made this event possible. Top sponsors of the event include Florida Express Waste & Recycling and Regions Bank.

“Never underestimate the impact that a passionate group of volunteers can have. We had no doubt that when this committee was formed in Bruce’s memory, that they would host a successful event. The committee has truly helped carry on the vision that Bruce had before his passing, and we know he would be thrilled with the final results. The Reilly Arts Center is so grateful for their volunteer service, and for this generous contribution to our organization.” shared Natalie McComb, executive director.

Bruce Kaplan was President of the Stone Creek Culture Vultures, and a frequent visitor to the Reilly Arts Center where his wife, Barbara, sings in the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He was also an active member of the Stone Creek Community Theatre and performed in numerous productions. Bruce was an avid golfer and co-founded “The PuttHeads” a golf social club at Stone Creek. Bruce is fondly remembered as a warm, caring and enthusiastic member of our community with his signature phrase, “Living the dream.”

Event Photos: https://bit.ly/4j7ubkY

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June 19, 2024 – Arts Funding Cut from State Budget: Help Support the Reilly

Email from Executive Director, Natalie McComb

Dear Friends:

As a patron of the arts, we need your help. On Wednesday, June 12, Governor DeSantis signed the 2024-2025 State of Florida budget into law. His line-item vetoes included the complete elimination of arts and culture grant funding totaling over $26 million. These cuts are immediate and will impact more than 600 organizations across the state.

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra and its home, the Reilly Arts Center are among those directly impacted by this unprecedented decision. Locally, this also impacts our friends at the Ocala Civic Theater, the Appleton Museum of Art, operated by the College of Central Florida, Marion Cultural Alliance and Arts in Health Ocala Metro.

While this state run, competitive grant program has seen significant 40-60% funding cuts in recent years, a complete veto of a long-standing program was not a decision any of us expected. Our organization now faces the immediate loss of our largest grant, $70,000 just weeks away from our new fiscal year.

As with most performing arts organizations, ticket sales provide only a fraction of the funding required for operations. The variety of local, accessible programming we offer is not possible without additional philanthropic and grant support. Already, we are indebted to the generosity of our donors, corporate sponsors, and loyal patrons who have allowed the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and our venues to serve the community for nearly 50 years. To ask more of our community at this time is a challenge we didn’t anticipate facing. Please consider supporting the organization in one or more of these ways:

Give

Become a member of the Reilly Arts Center, renew your membership, or make a gift today. If you have already generously donated to us this year, thank you! Your collective support will greatly assist us in addressing this challenge to our daily operations. To explore alternative giving vehicles, contact me (mailto:natalie@reillyartscenter.com) directly.

Support

Purchase a ticket to an upcoming concert, invite friends to join you, or learn more about becoming an Ocala Symphony season subscriber. Spread the word about our upcoming concerts and programs by following us on Facebook, and encouraging others to join our email list. All these can support the future programming we already have lined up for our venues.

Advocate

Spread the word about the impact these funding cuts will have on organizations you care about. Click here to read the latest articles from around the state about the governor’s budget and the impact this line-item veto will have on arts and culture organizations.

Stepping into this new role has been a privilege, and it has been a joy meeting many of you these last few months. I am inspired by the loyalty of the patrons, the dedication of our volunteers, and the ongoing support of our donors. We will face this latest challenge together, because the arts contribute in so many ways to the vitality of this community.

Thank you for your support.