Gulf Coast Symphony

The Gulf Coast Jazz Collective has been celebrating famous jazz musicians this season. In June, it’s Thomas “Fats” Waller.

Beginning May 30, Gulf Coast Symphony is bringing Southwest Florida the “Sounds of America” in observance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Last year, Gulf Coast Symphony founded the Gulf Coast Youth Orchestra. On Tuesday, May 12, its gifted young musicians will perform for the first time onstage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. They’ll be joined by the Gulf Coast Youth Jazz Ensemble for a free concert that starts at 7 p.m.

Gulf Coast Symphony is celebrating America250 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall with a fully staged production of “1776” on April 18 and 19.

Gulf Coast Symphony performs “A Composer’s Travelogue” in the Music & Arts Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 21. It's a symphonic journey across continents and cultures.

Andrew Kurtz has opera roots. He attended his first opera at the age of 10. His first job was for a professional opera company. “I even ran an opera company in Philadelphia for 16 years,” said Kurtz. His long-range plan is to include fully staged opera performances in Gulf Coast Symphony’s repertoire as early as next season.

Ragtime star Joshua Henry to star in "Get Up, Stand Up!" backed by Gulf Coast Symphony on Sunday, January 25, at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

This year, there are 27 performances of this holiday favorite by eight ballet companies and three symphony orchestras.

For 15 years, Gulf Coast Symphony has opened the holiday season with “Deck the Halls” at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The symphony’s director and maestro, Andrew Kurtz, works hard to make the annual concert unique. He’s outdone himself this year with aerial violinist Janice Martin.

Gulf Coast Symphony opens this year’s Masterworks Series on Nov. 15 with “Symphony of Firsts.” It’s a journey through the ages conducted by Maestro Andrew Kurtz.