After nearly 11 years of service, The Florida Orchestra's (TFO) longest-serving CEO is stepping down.
“This is the right time,” Pastreich, who took the helm in October 2007, said in a release. “As I’ve reflected on an astounding 50th anniversary season, I see how far TFO has come in my nearly 11 years here, and I’m proud and honored to play a key role in its success. Now it’s time to take a break, recharge and explore my own opportunities. It’s an exciting world."
In charge of the day-to-day running of the organization will be Interim President Sherry Powell, who has been TFO’s success as chief marketing officer for 12 years. Pastreich, who began a long-planned summer sabbatical July 1, will help with a smooth transition through September.
$1.5 MILLION MAN
Concert Review: Sting and The Florida Orchestra rock the Mahaffey
Under Pastreich, TFO went from nearly insolvent to strong on every front. In its 50th anniversary season, TFO enjoyed record concert attendance (including a December 2017 performance with Sting) and an endowment that has grown from $8 million to $21 million since his arrival.
In May, a new collective bargaining agreement earned Florida Orchestra musicians a 12-percent raise, which increased musicians’ base pay from $35,282 to $40,040 over three years (still far behind other metropolitan orchestras, such as the $159,016 base pay for Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians or $166,400 at the San Francisco Symphony, as the Tampa Bay Times' Andrew Meacham points out).
TFO kicks off its 51st season at the end of September with Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 5," led by Music Director Michael Francis.
This article appears in Jul 19-26, 2018.