Chris Jepson: Whither thou goest, David Schillhammer?

Just about anything goes better with a symphony. Champagne. Frivolity. And, of course, Christmas. I had the good fortune to attend last Saturday’s Home for the Holidays concert at the Bob Carr Theater presented by the splendid Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. It was essentially a program of Christmas songs arranged for an orchestra. There were choirs of joyful children (The Florida Opera Theater Children’s Chorus) and gloriously harmonizing adults (The Holiday Singers). Michael Andrew, the nationally recognized cabaret singer, gave his delightful all on a number of Christmas standards. The conductor Albert Schram was the maestro of spontaneity, leading the orchestra with professional aplomb.

Aside: I highly recommend the Sunset & Symphony Holiday Concert at Bok Tower Gardens, Dec. 5, in Lake Wales. Take your friends, a picnic feast, and champagne and revel in splendor of the Gardens, all the while surrounded by magic of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a gem of an experience.

I had the good fortune to talk with David Schillhammer, the executive director of the Orlando Philharmonic during the intermission of Saturday’s Home for the Holidays Concert. Schillhammer arrived in Orlando just over 16 or so years ago. I was then working with United Arts when he arrived on the Central Florida art scene. He was hired to give energy and leadership to the struggling Orlando Philharmonic.

To say that Schillhammer has turned in a virtuoso performance as executive director is an understatement. In the 15 years at the helm, Schillhammer has transformed that organization beyond anything imaginable at the time of his arrival. He has advocated tirelessly for the arts community in general, and for the orchestra specifically. He’s an opinionated, in-your-face, let’s git ’er done personality. I like and respect such individuals.

So, I was surprised and immensely disappointed to read that Schillhammer is abruptly leaving (in February 2016) the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. While talking with him during the intermission, Schillhammer made it clear that his desire, professionally, is to remain in Orlando. Any local organization (nonprofit/for profit) will benefit from his leadership.

For our Central Florida nonprofit organizations to thrive requires a three-legged stool (to employ an over-used analogy). Visionary, committed volunteer leadership, a visionary, committed staff and a community that gives a damn.

The latter, a community that gives a damn, has been the challenge (tough sell) for the Central Florida arts community. We do not have a “long” history of supporting the arts (by an established donor class). Most of us here today in Central Florida arrived after Disney “came to town.” We now see in every direction miles and miles of banal suburban sprawl. We are told that that constitutes a community. Central Florida leadership undeniably aspires to be something more than another nondescript Florida conurbation of suburban sprawl, footnoted merely for its theme parks. Consider our Central Florida arts organizations as the necessary cement by which you build a community that transcends city and county limits.

A final note: right now Orange County and the Florida legislature are each considering changes to how tourist tax revenue is allocated. Disney, Universal, the hoteliers want it “all” (for all intents and purposes) spent on putting “heads in beds.” This is not only civically shortsighted, it is repugnant. Our arts community deserves far, far better than what it now receives through the tourist tax distribution formula. Speak-up. Call your Orange County commissioner today and forcefully, unequivocally advocate for the arts.

And to David Schillhammer, may 2016 find you prospering in Orlando.