The Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra made its debut as a community
orchestra on April 15, 1961. Conducted by Arlo Deibler, the Symphony had
24 musicians and performed in community centers and schools. A year later,

the Symphony Chorus was formed and the organization became known

as the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Association.

Maestro Deibler led the Symphony for 25 years and then passed the baton to

Joseph Egger, who continued with the Symphony for the next four seasons.

In 1990, Paul Nadler, a staff conductor with the New York Metropolitan Opera

and founder of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, was appointed Music Director

and Conductor. Nadler launched the Sanibel Series in 1998 as an avenue in

which to take classical music out into the community.

In 2001, the Symphony welcomed ever-entertaining Pops conductor Carl Topilow

and Joseph Caulkins as Director of Choruses.  Caulkins launched the Stained

Glass Series in the fall of 2001 to showcase the talent of the chorus.

In our 2005/2006 season, we bid farewell to Carl Topilow and Maestro Nadler, who

have an enduring role with us as Conductor Emeritus.

Excitement reigned in 2006/2007 as we embarked on the search for our

new Music Director – only the 4th in our 46 year history. Over 250 applied. Seven

were invited to conduct. The unanimous response of our patrons and musicians

selected Michael Hall as the Symphony’s new Music Director and Conductor.

Maestro Hall brings talent, passion, energy and an infectious love of music with

him.  A new era has begun at The Symphony, and we are excited to once again

expand our reach, sharing our gift of music to more people in communities

through our expanded Sanibel Series and with our Symphony Around Town concerts.

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