F
or nearly 50 years,
the Northwest
Florida Ballet
(NFB) has grown
accustomed to setting the
standard for performing
arts in the area. From
hosting world-renowned
international guest artists
to establishing the area’s
first public school centered
on arts education, NFB has
consistently focused beyond
its company repertoire to raise the bar of distinction.
It’s this commitment to excellence that has driven NFB Artistic
Director/CEO Todd Eric Allen to bring his next great vision to life
– the addition of the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony Orchestra
(NFBSO), led by NFB music director Dr. David Ott.
“Three years ago NFB made a commitment to bring live music back
to our performances, and since then we have been overwhelmed by the
feedback. The addition of the NFBSO is a natural next step for us as it
provides a layer of depth to our productions with goal of enhancing the
audience experience,” Allen said.
Under Ott’s direction, the newly formed orchestra will provide
live musical accompaniment for two of the 2016-2017 productions.
The NFBSO will debut with the classical holiday favorite, “The
Nutcracker” Nov. 18-20.
The orchestra will return for the season finale on April 1 and 2 with
“From Russia With Love: A Celebration of The Ballet Russe de Monte
Carlo” featuring “The Firebird,” the balcony scene from “Romeo and
Juliet” and “Scheherazade.”
Ott has been cited among America’s most-performed composers
of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, and his works
have been performed or recorded by some of the most distinguished
American and European orchestras. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in
music as well as Grammys, Ott has a large portfolio of compositions
in every genre of music, from large-scale orchestra works to short
overtures.
“As a conductor this is truly and exciting opportunity,” Ott said.
Leading musicians through a beautiful score as dancers gracefully and
skillfully move across the stage combines the artistry of the ear and the
eye in an unforgettable way.”
In addition to his new role as NFB music director, Ott is also the
conductor of the Panama City Pops Orchestra and serves as the
organist/music director at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Santa
Rosa Beach.
For more information on the NFBSO or Ott, visit NFBallet.org/
orchestra. For tickets to the NFB productions, visit NFBallet.org/tickets.
The Next Step: The Northwest
Florida Ballet Premiers Its Own
Symphony Orchestra, Led by
David Ott
story by Sabrina McLaughlin
110 | DestinMagazine.com
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