Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra is a mentoring orchestra that performs a challenging classical repertoire, as well as nurtures a variety of other musical genres through performance, public master classes, community involvement, and an annual concerto competition open to secondary- and conservatory-level musicians. Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra also mentors extraordinarily talented young artists, affording them the opportunity to initiate their professional musical careers in an array of venues like the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Lincoln Theater on South Beach's famed Lincoln Road.
Ars Flores is also the resident orchestra of Nova Southeastern University. Ars Flores' popular Music for Munchkins series was launched in October 2004. Music for Munchkins concerts are held mid-morning and are 30-minutes, followed by receptions of juice and Munchkin donut holes. Conductor Dr. Lynn Luce, affectionately known as Dr. Mom, interacts with the young audience during the performance and teaches some basic principles of classical music in a light-hearted fashion. The friendly Maestro has some tricks up her sleeve to entertain this special audience. These child-friendly concerts are sure to endear young listeners to orchestral music, cultivating the concert-goers of tomorrow.
Ars Flores' master classes are teaching forums where an experienced musician instructs and critiques a few select musicians in a public group setting. These master classes are open to the public at no charge and offer keen insight into how musical knowledge is passed from one generation to the next. Concert goers who wish to learn more about music might enjoy attending a master class. A parent with a child interested in music could stimulate and enhance that interest by bringing the young musician to a master class.
Ars Flores' Board of Directors includes Jens Moe, Chair, Burt Luce, Vice Chair, Robert Andai, Judy Frishman, Dr. Nadine Girgis, Ellen Itzler, George Lopes, Dr. Lynn Luce, Dr. Terri Mitchell and Maria Mosley.
Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra is sponsored by Broward County, Florida, The Miami Herald, Bank Atlantic, the Hagen Family Foundation, Wal-Mart, Hugh's Catering, Cultural Affairs of Miami-Dade County, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Arts & Culture Division of Cultural Affairs, The Children's Trust, Miami-Dade College's North Campus, Miami-Dade County's Cultural Affairs, the Chopin Foundation of the United States and Air Jamaica.