OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s been a part of the Ocala landscape for a half century.
It was in 1975, when the Ocala Festival Orchestra was founded and performed at the Ocala Civic Auditorium, which is now known as the Reilly Arts Center.
Natalie McComb the Reilly Arts Center/Ocala Symphony Orchestra executive director, was the featured speaker at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership’s ExCEPtional Mornings Sept. 17.
The Reilly Arts Center has become synonymous with cultural enlightenment, music and entertainment, and as time went on things began to evolve, and in 2008 the festival orchestra’s name was changed to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. A year later, the gifted Matthew Wardell would be named as the symphony orchestra’s new music director and conductor, which set the stage for a decade of continued growth.
“After performing at many local venues including the College of Central Florida and the Ocala Breeders Sales Auditorium, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s Board of Directors, supported by many in this community, identified the opportunity to renovate this historic city building, and help kick-off what has now become a resurgence of the Tuscawilla Park area,” said McComb.
The building has been a part of the landscape for nearly a century and was erected in 1932 as part of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. The Ocala Civic Auditorium was no stranger to hosting prominent acts, as the Boston Pops and Buddy Holly would grace the facility’s stage, with the site also hosting a number of high school proms, securing a nostalgic but iconic place within the community.
However, over time, the facility sat vacant and was in need of extensive renovation. A $2.6 renovation fundraising effort was launched by the symphony, with the support of their board, and thanks to the generosity of donors, whose gifts both large and small, allowed the symphony to achieve their goal, allowing once again to have music played in a building whose presence has become synonymous with the arts, culture and the city.
And in 2013, a campaign would begin to renovate the Ocala City Auditorium, into Ocala’s first dedicated performing arts center, said McComb.
Named in the memory of his late wife, Bob Reilly’s generous gift led to the dedication of the Reilly Arts Center on Oct. 23, 2015, with the opening night featuring the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s 40th season, nearly 10 years ago, said McComb.
Those who’ve been closely involved with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra had the prescience, vision and understanding of the impact the performing arts center would have for future generations.
And even though it all started with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the organization known in the community as ‘The Reilly,’ produces more than 100 concert events annually, as well as serving as host to a variety of community and corporate events throughout the year, said McComb.
“We welcomed over 50,000 guests last year to experience the power of live performance, from rock and country, to jazz, blues and even ballet,” said McComb. “‘This stage has hosted nostalgic favorites as well as up-and-coming artists looking to make their big break.”
The arts continue to make a significant impact in the Ocala Metro area, supporting over 800 jobs and providing $21.2 million in income. More than $7.8 million is generated in local, state and federal tax revenue. The arts are responsible for $53.2 million in economic activity.
The opening weekend of the 50th season of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will be Oct. 18 and Oct. 19.