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MEET OUR NEW ARTISTIC/MUSIC DIRECTOR, RICHARD STOELZEL 

Richard Stoelzel, a highly accomplished musician and conductor, has recently been appointed as the Artistic/Music Director of the Punta Gorda Symphony. Formerly Pops conductor at The HARID Conservatory and Artistic/Music Director of The Florida Wind Symphony, he continues as the Artistic/Music Director of The Lakeshore Concert Band, Montreal, Canada, which position he has held since 2016. Currently holding the position of Professor of Trumpet and Brass Area Coordinator at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, Richard is highly regarded for his expertise in trumpet performance and instruction. With a rich educational background, Richard has established himself as a respected figure in the world of music.

Richard’s passion for the arts is complemented by his dedication to martial arts, tennis, swimming, pickleball, and biking. Having conducted in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, South America, USA, and Canada, he has gained a global perspective and diverse experiences.

His journey with the orchestra has been remarkable, starting as the principal trumpet and Personnel Manager before being appointed as the Artistic/Music Director. Richard is thrilled to collaborate with the talented musicians and work alongside the orchestra’s exceptional executive director.

Under his leadership, the orchestra is set to embark on an extraordinary journey, with an impressive lineup of guest conductors, soloists, and a captivating repertoire ranging from the music of John Williams to Mahler, Dvorak, and Gershwin. Richard’s vision includes forging partnerships with esteemed arts groups in Punta Gorda and Charlotte County, fostering a fresh and innovative direction for the orchestra.

With boundless enthusiasm and an exceptional team of musicians, Richard Stoelzel and the orchestra are poised to reach new heights, making this season the best yet and paving the way for a future filled with resounding successes.


MISSION

The Punta Gorda Symphony engages and connects our community through orchestral music and enhances its visibility as a cultural center of interest, vitality, and importance.


Who We Are

Punta Gorda Symphony is Charlotte County’s premier professional orchestra. From presenting world-class musicians to enriching the lives of young people and adults through educational initiatives, Punta Gorda Symphony strives to foster vibrant community connections through orchestral music.

Originally formed in 1978 as a small chamber group, we have grown in size to more than 70 professional musicians, drawing audiences from around the world.

 


 

2023/24 MUSICIANS

 

 

VIOLIN I

Ming Gao, Concertmaster
Liviu Dimitrel Onofrei, Asst. Concertmaster
David Qi, Asst. Concertmaster
Judith Yanchus, Asst. Concertmaster
Edwardo Castro
Garrett Charnin
Mitchell Cloutier
Michael Dejesus
Lisa Hallinan
Hua Jin
Israel Mendez
Maria Fernanda Urbina
Baoling Xu

VIOLIN II

Cindi Qi, Principal
Gregory Carreno
Ileana Ciumac
Karen Banos
Ariel Eliot
Jose Guedez
Xiaomang Ma
Ben Maynard
Sandra Rubio-Wang
Xiomara Sepúlveda Rueda
Sansa Wang

VIOLA

Rachel Cox, Principal
Iliana Barcenas
Julie Deeghan
Ana Ivanova
Colin Priller
Dr. Rafael Ramirez
Juan Carlos Siviero
Teal Vickery

CELLO

David Calhoun, Principal
Scott E. Crowley
Tetyana Clark
Valentina Hernandez Espitia
Roy García
Si-Cheng Liu
Mikel Clayton Thomas
Sarah Troeller
Clarissa Vieira

DOUBLE BASS

Laurence Glazener, Principal
Spencer Stowers
Joseph Trunk
Daniel Chiva Sanz
Jordan Nashman

 

FLUTE

Carrie Wiesinger, Principal
Francesca Arnone
David A. Suárez-Rios

PICCOLO

Beth Larsen, Principal
Nicole Granroth

OBOE

Kendra Hawley, Principal
Dawn Hardy
Erika Yamada

ENGLISH HORN

James Drayton
Dawn Hardy

CLARINET

Stacey McColley, Principal
Tony Negron
Claire Valentine

BASS CLARINET

Asher Carlson

BASSOON

Laura Winters, Principal
Chris Eberle
Kathryn Stepp

CONTRABASSOON

Shawn Karson
Kathryn Sleeper

HORN

Jennifer Miller, Principal
Troy Messner
Matthew Marshall
Lisa Ormston Bontrager
Javier Aragon
Dann ODonnell

 

TRUMPET

Robby McCabe, Principal
Brian Copeland
Vince DiMartino
Raul Rodriguez
Pamela Smitter
Jeff Uban

TROMBONE

Timothy Conner, Principal
Katherine Rodriquez*
Michael O’Connor

BASS TROMBONE

Aaron Chan, Principal

TENOR TUBA

Michael O’Connor, Principal

TUBA

Todd Handley, Principal

TIMPANI

Miguel Angel Pagua Molina, Principal
Claudio Martinez

PERCUSSION

Chris Nolin, Principal
Kyle Cherwinski
Gabriel Stoelzel

HARP

Dickie Fleisher, Principal
Giuseppina Ciarla
Tasha Robinson

PIANO/KEYBOARD

Diego Davila, Principal
Judi Glover

 

*Personnel Manager

 


 

AUDITIONS

Professional musicians may send resumes to Personnel Manager Katherine Rodriguez at katherine@PGSymphony.org.

 

 

 


 

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Landsberg, Chairman
Rudy Askew, Vice Chairman
Elaine Rice, Treasurer
Shaune Freeland, Secretary

Directors:
Christopher Constance, M.D.
Donna Peterman

General Counsel:
Forrest Bass, Esq.

 

STAFF

Richard Stoelzel, Artistic and Music Director
Conductor@PGSymphony.org

Janet Wilcox, Business Manager
office@PGSymphony.org

Jenifer Welch, Development Manager
Jwelch@PGSymphony.org

Katherine Rodriguez, Personnel Manager
katherine@PGSymphony.org

Rachel Cox, Music Librarian
librarian@PGSymphony.org

Janet Wilcox, President, Symphony Friends
friends@PGSymphony.org

 


 

HISTORY

The Punta Gorda Symphony began in 1978 as a small chamber group under the direction of Fred Blake. The group consisted of six retirees and two local high school students. From this humble beginning, the group expanded in size, competence, and repertoire. In early 1987, it became incorporated under the name Charlotte Chamber Music Society, Inc. By the late 1980s, it had become a full-fledged volunteer orchestra with a small and devoted following. In 1989, it was renamed the Charlotte Symphony Society, Inc., and in 2003, it became the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

Maestro Blake turned over his baton to concertmaster Janita Hauk in 1993. Maestra Hauk continued the work of Maestro Blake, bringing the Orchestra to professional status with paid musicians and increased performances.

After 16 years at the podium, in 2009, Maestra Hauk announced her retirement and was elected to Emeritus standing by the Orchestra’s Board of Directors. Maestro Toshimasa Francis Wada was brought in as the third director. Maestro Wada continued the work begun by Maestra Hauk: expansion, improvement, and innovation of the music presented to the public. In 2012, Maestro Raffaele Ponti became the orchestra’s Music Director. Under his direction, the orchestra flourished and grew in size to over 70 professional musicians. In October 2019, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra was renamed Punta Gorda Symphony.

In 2023, Richard Stoelzel was named the Symphony’s Artistic/Music Director. Today, the Symphony educates, inspires, and distinguishes itself through symphonic excellence and innovation. In a recent note, a patron expressed it best: “Our busy lives offer little respite for times when we can just enjoy and go to the places in our hearts and minds where music alone can take us. Going to a symphony performance is far beyond just a night out.”


Punta Gorda Symphony is proud to have been part of The Patterson Foundation’s Advancing Mission Thrivability initiative.

2023-2024 Season has been Cancelled.

Click here for more information.

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