Harmonious Legacy: Henry Kahwaty and Sarasota Orchestra’s Symphony of Success

By Joshua Thomas Bray | Photo by Lori Sax | November 2023

In a world where music often serves as a universal language, weaving together harmonies that resonate with the soul, Sarasota Orchestra stands as a melodious movement in the community, composing a legacy that spans over seven decades. Founded in 1949 as the Florida West Coast Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra has entertained music lovers and enriched the regional arts scene for 75 years, establishing itself as a cornerstone of musical excellence. As the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, it has not only entertained music lovers across the region but also attracted and inspired people like Henry Kahwaty, an avid music enthusiast, skilled musician, and current orchestra board member. 

Kahwaty, moved from Washington D.C. to southern Florida in 2012. His passion for music and connection to the Orchestra runs deep. Kahwaty fondly recalls his introduction to Sarasota Orchestra through his cousin, who played violin with the Orchestra, and her son who went through the Orchestra’s educational programs and won the concerto competition. Though Kahwaty has played the trombone from a young age, he admits that since moving to Sarasota his horn has remained untouched in its case, a testament to his busy life. 

Now a Sarasota Orchestra devotee, Kahwaty emphasizes the unparalleled magic of live performance. He recalls numerous visiting soloists and conductors sharing how formative it was to experience live orchestral performance as a child, sparking his own interest and many of his friends’ eventual careers in music. This musical impact is something he hopes to continue through Sarasota Orchestra. 

Like a well-composed symphony, Sarasota Orchestra’s journey is marked by a series of significant milestones, each adding a unique note to its grand musical composition. The Orchestra’s beginnings trace back to Ruth Cotton Butler, who partnered with community leaders George Gibbs, Sam Hill, and Dr. W.D. Sugg to create an orchestra serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Their vision became reality in 1949 when the Florida West Coast Symphony held its inaugural performance in collaboration with the Manatee River Choral Club. Since its inception, this institution has been a crescendo of culture and education, echoing through time with a rich history and a promising future. In 2008, the orchestra was rebranded as Sarasota Orchestra, marking a new era of artistic growth. The Orchestra’s primary goals are to engage, educate, and enrich the community through high-quality, live musical experiences. Its threefold mission is dedicated to exquisite performance and first-class musical education.

In the 1960s, the Orchestra expanded its repertoire and outreach. Its artistic director Paul Wolfe launched the Sarasota Music Festival, which has garnered an international reputation as a prestigious event for artists to participate in intensive study and public performances. Each June, the Festival welcomes 60 pre-professional fellows from around the globe and 40 faculty artists representing the top conservatories, music colleges, and classical music ensembles for three weeks. This Festival has become a meeting ground for the world’s budding and established musicians, creating a global symphony that resonates with excellence and innovation. 

As a board member, Kahwaty is actively involved in the Orchestra’s initiatives and future plans. He is particularly enthusiastic about the proposed new Music Center complex, which he sees as a pivotal step in furthering the Orchestra’s mission to bring music to the community. He dreams big about varied programming in the Music Center’s performance spaces showcasing everything from chamber groups to jazz to theatrical performances. For Kahwaty, this isn’t just about having an adequate facility for performances. It’s about having space for educational programs, instrument workshops, and community engagement. He wants to ensure the Orchestra can continue to deliver on its mission to bring music to the people, especially the next generation. 

“Our mission is broader than just providing concerts for those who want to go out on a Saturday night. It’s important that we do more and place greater emphasis on educating youth. If you bring a thousand kids out to Van Wezel Hall and have them attend a concert,” says Kahwaty, “that experience might ignite a spark of interest in playing an instrument or listening to more orchestral music.” 

Education has always been a vital string in Sarasota Orchestra’s bow. The Orchestra introduced a program in 1953 that gave children their first taste of orchestral music. Over the years, this program evolved into the Young Person’s Concerts, which today enchants over 10,000 children annually, giving them a firsthand experience of the magic of live orchestral performances. These educational initiatives have nurtured young talents and brought the joy and wonder of symphonic performances to the students of Sarasota and Manatee County. Through the Young Person’s Concerts, thousands of children experience the magic of live orchestral performances every fall, a testament to the Orchestra’s dedication to nurturing a love for music in the community. 

The Sarasota Youth Orchestras is a prominent musical initiative serving students from third grade through high school, providing a structured environment for young musicians to develop their orchestral skills. A highlight of their program is the top-tier Youth Philharmonic, tailored for those aged 11-18, emphasizing both technical proficiency and musical dedication. As Sarasota Orchestra focuses on community engagement and education, the Youth Orchestras remain integral, fostering the musical growth of upcoming generations. The transformative effect of these youth concerts has particularly left a strong impression on Kahwaty. “There’s something about a live performance,” he explains. “Seeing their expressions and hearing how the music sounded to them, it’s amazing, and all part of an experience you can only get from a live performance.”

The annual fourth- and fifth-grade concerts have been highlights for many young attendees over the decades. However, cancellations due to hurricanes and other logistical challenges have been inevitable. The lack of a dedicated facility adds difficulty in rescheduling. In recent years, Sarasota Orchestra has embarked on a new overture, marking significant developments that promise a bright future. Sarasota Orchestra announced plans to establish a new music center in Sarasota County, a move that signifies its growing influence and commitment to the community. Once built, the new Music Center complex will provide the desired flexibility for these needs and will serve as an accessible hub for performances and education programs. 

Kahwaty’s excitement about innovative ways to expand access and engage the community is palpable. He draws inspiration from a recent visit to see the Kennedy Center’s new annex, which features a video projection wall where audiences can enjoy free simulcast performances with a picnic dinner outdoors. While there are no concrete plans for such an initiative in Sarasota, his enthusiasm for such innovative approaches is evident. Kahwaty has bold visions for similarly utilizing the outdoor spaces surrounding the Music Center complex to further engage families and students. “I’d love to be able to do something like project an opera or symphony performance onto a large screen at low cost so people can experience the arts in a relaxed setting.”  

The Orchestra’s annual Summer Music Camp, an educational initiative to make music accessible to learners of all ages and abilities, further amplifies the Orchestra’s commitment to education, offering a platform for young enthusiasts to hone their skills and immerse themselves in the world of music. 

Kahwaty recounted his own recent inspirational experience hearing a bluegrass session in Nashville, Tennessee. The spontaneity and intimacy of live music provide an experience that simply cannot be replicated by listening to recorded music at home. He hopes to bring more people into the Sarasota Orchestra fold by attracting new faces with expanded programming at even more affordable prices. If people can catch a glimpse of the Orchestra’s passion, that may be the spark that ignites a lifelong interest in classical music.

In addition, the Orchestra provides music lessons and partners with schools on multiple outreach programs that aim to bring the beauty of music to a wider audience. These programs have encouraged individuals to explore and develop their musical talents and remain instrumental in the development of a robust musical culture in Sarasota and Manatee counties. “While we can’t fund all the music teachers, we can at least provide them some materials to work with,” says Kahwaty. 

Sarasota Orchestra provides a noteworthy role in the community, not only showcasing symphonic masterworks but also inspiring musicians and fans of the future. Thanks to people like Henry Kahwaty, Sarasota Orchestra’s harmonious legacy will continue to echo powerfully for generations to come. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the Sarasota Orchestra, the 2023-2024 season, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org