Sarasota Orchestra

RoseAnne McCabe • Nicole Eibe • Cathy Wilson 

Sarasota Orchestra has played a pivotal role within the rich arts and cultural scene in the Sarasota area since its inception in 1949. It is also the oldest running orchestra in Florida and the parent program of the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival. 

Every year, Sarasota Orchestra and its 76 musicians perform more than 100 classical, pops, chamber music, and community outreach concerts. It has taken the hard work and dedication of many individuals over the years to maintain the Orchestra’s thriving success in the community, but here we honor three outstanding women who help keep the wheels in motion. 

RoseAnne McCabe currently serves as Vice President of Artistic Operations and joined the team at Sarasota Orchestra in 2000. Her roles within the Orchestra have varied over the years. She extended her professional musician career by playing the double bass as a part-time member while also working in the administrative office. 

In her current role, RoseAnne oversees the Artistic Administration department that works behind the scenes to make Orchestra performances happen. She oversees the teams responsible for concert planning and production, as well as year-round artistic operations and logistics. RoseAnne also oversees the education program that includes the eight ensembles of the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, the annual summer camp, and the Sarasota Music Festival.

“Music has always been my vocation as well as my avocation. However, one of the things I love so much about living in Sarasota are all the opportunities for yoga and meditation. My husband is a meditation teacher, and I love to spend time on the beaches, walking, hiking, and spending time outdoors,” says RoseAnne. 

Cathy Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, joined Sarasota Orchestra in 2011 with an extensive background in manufacturing accounting. She made the switch to nonprofits around 2000 and worked for the YMCA before becoming CFO of the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. She is passionate about giving back to the community and continues volunteering for several different local organizations. 

In her current role, Cathy leads the teams responsible for Human Resources, Information Services, Box Office, Patron Services, and Facilities functions. She directs the Orchestra’s financial planning and accounting practices along with its relationship in banking or investment institutions, stakeholders, the Board of Directors, and finance. 

“I have three rescue dogs and love spending time with them and getting outdoors. I also have been working with sea turtle rescue efforts for over 30 years, assisting with the Sarasota County tagging efforts to track breeding life spans of turtles, nest viability and frequency, and much more,” explains Cathy. 

Nicole Eibe, Vice President of Advancement & Strategic Initiatives, joined the team in December 2011. Nicole is a Sarasota-Manatee native and has a long history with Sarasota Orchestra that began well before taking a full-time job there. Nicole is an alum of Sarasota Orchestra’s Youth Orchestra Program and summer Music Camp, and she interned for the Sarasota Music Festival. 

In her current role, she leads the Donor Engagement team that sets fundraising strategies. This includes everything from donor cultivation to stewardship initiatives, which help the Orchestra meet its fundraising goals year after year. 

“Outside of work, I raise two little boys, five and two years old respectively. Much of that time is dedicated to spending quality family time with everyone, especially outdoors. We love to explore all the beautiful parks we have here in Sarasota-Manatee. Lately we love checking out the fun splash pads that are popping up all over the place, which are lovely in the hot summer months,” says Nicole.  

Text by Tom Reese | Photo by Nancy Guth

709 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.487.2730
sarasotaorchestra.org