In The Beginning The history of the Suncoast Symphony Orchestra really begins with the Clearwater Symphony Orchestra. The Clearwater Symphony was founded in 1984 by a small group of musicians and educators wishing to provide an outlet for the performance of symphonic music in the community. The first program was presented in 1985 at the Royalty Theatre in downtown Clearwater. Since then the orchestra has performed in many locations in the Dunedin-Largo-Clearwater-Palm Harbor-Oldsmar area, and also at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. Name Change Near the end of the 1993-94 season, the orchestra changed its name to the Suncoast Symphony Orchestra to better reach the Greater Tampa Bay Community. The orchestra presents a series of three programs during the season with each series performed at a number of locations in the area. The orchestra is a member of the Pinellas Arts Foundation. All members of the orchestra donate their time.
