The Sarasota Orchestra announced that a donor has given a total of $60 million to advance the planning and construction of orchestra's new Music Center. When complete, the center will be the area's first concert hall built specifically for acoustic music. 

The $60 million gift is one of the largest to any orchestra nationwide, and a record-setting philanthropic contribution for performing arts organizations in Florida.

Moved by Sarasota Orchestra’s dedication to build a future home for the Music Center, the donor—who wants to remain anonymous—initially made a $10 million gift to help the orchestra purchase the land for the center, at 5701 Fruitville Road, debt-free. They later committed $50 million to advance the planning of the Music Center for a total of $60 million.

“These gifts are not only a humbling display of the donor’s generosity, but also underscore their belief in Sarasota Orchestra’s artistic and educational excellence," says Sarasota Orchestra president and CEO Joseph McKenna. 

The donor, a longtime orchestra supporter, says they see their gifts as a legacy project. Expected to open in the 2029-2030 season, the Music Center will comprise a concert hall, flexible-use performance space, native landscaping and multiple rehearsal and practice rooms. The facilities will add needed capacity for Sarasota Orchestra and other regional performing arts organizations that face challenges securing performance and rehearsal dates. The center will also provide expanded space and opportunities for the growth of youth orchestra programs.

The construction of the building will be led Stages Consultants, architects William Rawn Associates and HKS, and landscape architect OJB Landscape Architecture. The orchestra’s previous feasibility study estimated project costs between $375 million and $425 million, with a final project goal to be determined and approved by the orchestra's board of directors in early 2026.