The Florida Orchestra held an Instrument Petting Zoo as part of the New Tampa Performing Arts Fall Festival. Five members of Tampa Friends of the Florida Orchestra were on hand to help over 150 youngsters try out violins, cellos, cymbals, a snare drum, and other percussion instruments. Lois and Peter Ancona, Barb Izzi, Joan Gutierrez, and Jane Strom, with Jenae Earl of TFO’s Community Education and Outreach Department were on hand from 9:30 to 3:00.
Less than three weeks after coming on board, TFO’s new President and CEO Ignacio Barron Viela hosted the presidents of all three volunteer support groups to discuss plans for the coming season. Ken Kwo, TFO Administrative Assistant and Guild Liaison was also in attendance.
On behalf of Tampa Friends of the Florida Orchestra, Jane Strom talked about how social and fundraising events have boosted membership and concert attendance, as well as contributing $8,000 to the Orchestra last season.
The North Suncoast Associates were represented by Lynda Olander, who discussed their popular Bravura Brunch event, while Bette Dolinsky, President of The Florida Orchestra Guild of St. Petersburg. Inc. invited Mr. Barron Viela to a joint event by all three organizations.
“Planned for mid-January, Harmony Across the Bay will unite over 100 music-lovers who volunteer their support for our Florida Orchestra,” explained Jane Strom, Tampa Friends of the Florida Orchestra President.
Pictured left to right:
Ken Kwo, Bette Dolinsky, Jane Strom, Mr. Barron Viela, Lynda Olander
Tampa Friends of The Florida Orchestra and representatives of The Florida Orchestra Presented a program to the Active Adults group at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC recently. The guest speakers were introduced by Jeffrey Berger, President of Tampa’s JCC & Federation.
Ross Holcombe, Associate Principal Trombone, played and talked about his instrument and took questions. Kelvin Hill, Interim General Manager of the orchestra, spoke about the logistics of producing the orchestra season. The audience was most appreciative and participated in lively discussions.
The Florida Orchestra has named Ignacio Barrón Viela as its new president and CEO, the orchestra announced today. He brings global experience to lead the state’s largest professional orchestra in a new era of growth in Tampa Bay, joining TFO in August.
Born in Zaragoza, Spain, Barrón Viela is a classically trained cellist who has spent more than a decade performing in orchestras and managing music projects worldwide. He comes to TFO from the Reno Philharmonic in Nevada, where as president and CEO he helped expand its artistic offerings with a wide variety of events and concerts, including a semi-staged opera. Post-pandemic audiences consistently grew, sometimes exceeding pre-pandemic levels. During his tenure, the Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Before that, he was the executive director of the Billings Symphony in Montana, where he created key partnerships with local and national associations, cultivated donor relationships with record-setting donations, and doubled the symphony’s net worth and endowment. Barrón Viela succeeds Mark Cantrell, who departed in April to be CEO of the Colorado Symphony.
“It will be an honor to lead Florida’s premier orchestra,” Barrón Viela said. “I am impressed by the orchestra’s stellar reputation and innovative programming, and I am inspired by TFO’s commitment to serving the needs of this growing community with such passion. I look forward to working closely with Michael Francis, the remarkable Florida Orchestra musicians, a great board and an energetic staff.”
“After a national search, Ignacio’s global experience and high standard of excellence clearly stood out. His drive to build community and connect lives through the power of music aligns perfectly with our mission and makes him the right leader for TFO as we grow for the future,” said TFO Board Chair Gregory Yadley.
Barrón Viela brings a range of skills beyond arts management. As an industrial engineer, he has worked as a senior management consultant and project manager for two of the largest private investor-owned energy companies in the world. With projects in conventional power plants and renewable energy assets spanning Europe, Asia, South America and the U.S., he specialized in operational excellence and performance management, skills that he applies to the orchestra field.
“I am delighted Ignacio Barrón Viela will join us as president and CEO of TFO,” said Music Director Michael Francis. “From our first meeting, it was clear that Ignacio has a genuine passion for music, a strategic mindset, and a charismatic ability to communicate deeply about our wonderful art form. With his fascinating background as a musician, engineer, senior management consultant and successful orchestra CEO, Ignacio will bring a highly skilled, experienced and dynamic approach to leading The Florida Orchestra. I am excited to partner with Ignacio as we build upon the outstanding artistic quality of The Florida Orchestra.”
Barrón Viela holds a Master of Industrial Engineering degree from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business, with an emphasis in arts leadership through the USC Thornton School of Music. In 2020, he was nominated as one of the “40 Under 40” most successful leaders in Montana, and in 2022 he was recognized with the Community Builder Award by the Downtown Billings Association.
Barrón Viela and his wife, Brianna, enjoy exploring the great outdoors, running road races, and learning from and engaging with people from all walks of life. They will make the move to Tampa Bay over the summer.
Let Alice Heyer know how you can help: heyerchopin@aol.com
Social Committee (plan meetings, menus, décor, etc)
Governance Committee (nominations of Officers, Directors; bylaws)
Membership (Retention, Recruitment, Maintain Membership List)
Website, Emails
Publicity
Community Engagement (arrange musical presentations to
condos, senior communities, and other groups)
Fundraising (planning events and ideas to raise funds)
