The Florida International Festival
featuring the London Symphony Orchestra

The Festival Board

Festival Founder/Director:
Tippen Davidson O.B.E.

Glenn S. Ritchey
2004 Chairman

J. Hyatt Brown
Chairman-Elect

Bill France, Jr.
Vice-Chairman

J. Lester Kaney
Vice-Chairman

Georgia M. Kaney
Treasurer

Katie Carlson
Secretary

2004-2005 Members:
John C. Adams
David Bridgeman
J. Hyatt Brown
Lonnie T. Brown
Dr. Jacques Caldwell, M.D.
Joe Cameron
Katie Carlson
Bill Chanfrau, Jr.
Bob Coleman
Bill Davison
Terry DeArmas
John Doctor
Dan Dunnivant
Jo Lynn Durrance
Agnes Ebbs
Jimmy Ford
Bill France, Jr.
Sally I. Gillespie
Dr. Thurman Gillespy, Jr.
John Graham, Jr.
Lorna Jean Hagstrom
Linda W. Hargreaves
Edward H. Hayes, Jr.
Clay Henderson
Mr. Reid Hughes
Michael D. Jackson
David Jones
Georgia M. Kaney
J. Lester Kaney
Blaine S. Lansberry
Carl W. Lentz III
Dr. Roger K. Lewis
Charles S. Lichtigman
Sherri I. Lloyd
Nancy Lohman
Mrs. Richard A. McMahan
Richard A McMahan
George Mirabal
Sharon Mock
David Perryman
Joe C. Petrock
Hiram Powell
Irwin Price
Leonard Sacks
Louis Samuels
David Slick
Dr. Alvin Smith
Margaret Smith
Tom Staed
Glenn Vincent
Dr. David L. Williams
Dr. James Woodward

Past Chairmen: Dr. Thurman Gillespy, Jr. (2003); John E. Graham, Jr. (2001); David Slick, Sr. (1999); Joe C. Petrock (1997); David A. Monaco Emeritus (1995); Tom Staed (1993); Jay Adams (1991); Roger K. Lewis, Jr., MD (1989)

Get your seats fast through the Subscription Brochure/Order Form, your ticket to more than 60 performances that make up this year's Florida International Festival in and around Daytona Beach.

See Argentine tango and Canadian dance. Listen to American jazz, Celtic tunes and throat singing from Siberia. Watch performances by Hispanic guitar masters and by an expert of Eastern European Jewish klezmer music. Laugh to the antics of comedy-oriented performance artists and share the joy of performing arts with children at special family shows.

Here's a look at what's in store.


FIF Guild party in estate setting
"Music in the Garden" is the theme of the Florida International Festival Guild's Garden Party, planned from 5 to 8 p.m. April 7.


The legendary London Symphony Orchestra has performed at the Florida International Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida since 1966. The LSO - founded in 1904 - marks the end of a year-long 100th birthday celebration at the 2005 Florida International Festival, July 15 - 30, with the best in symphonic music!

Centenary Celebration

We are happy to announce that we have contracts with the LSO and five major conductors for the 2005 festival. News will be posted on the site as soon as it becomes available.

For the past three decades, residents of the Daytona Beach area have enjoyed the cultural experiences offered by the Florida International Festival. The multi-day event, which occurs every other year, features the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who calls the area its "Official American Summer Home." Through a variety of world-class performances, entertainment ranging from music and dance to comedy and family favorites are presented through both free and paid programs.

On the Web
» http://www.lso.co.uk
» Hear what the LSO sounds like

Brief History of the Festival

In 1966, LSO musicians and their families made their first visit to the shores of Daytona Beach. It is believed to be the first European orchestra to settle in a U.S. city for such an extended engagement. During the next few years, Floridians continued to enjoy the annual cultural experience provided by the LSO.

In the 1970s, the event experienced some financial hardships, forcing suspension of the Festival. In 1982, the Festival was reborn under Central Florida Cultural Endeavors, Inc. with renewed enthusiasm and community support.

In 1985, the Festival became a biennial event, and has since served the area with expanded programs including community outreach, educational events and a broader variety of world-class talent. The Festival now takes place over a 17-day period and features more than 80 performances through both free and paid programs.

The London Symphony Orchestra and five world-famous conductors are in the lineup. News on additional artists and performers will be posted on this site as soon as it becomes available.

Festival 2003 featured five classical and one pops concert by the LSO, with world famous conductors Mstislav Rostropovich, Donald Runnicles and Yan Pascal Tortelier.

In addition to the LSO, Festivalgoers had a variety of artists to choose from, including Arturo Sandoval, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Mountain Heart, Noche Flamenca and the Miami String Quartet. Performances by Silk Road Music, bohola, Pascal Rioult Dance Company and a variety of smaller ensembles from within the LSO were also part of this year�s offerings.

For the last three decades, residents of Daytona Beach and surrounding areas have enjoyed the cultural experiences offered by the Florida International Festival.

The multi-day biennial event features the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who calls Daytona Beach its "Official American Summer Home." A variety of world-class performances -- entertainment ranging from music and dance to comedy and family favorites are presented through both free and paid programs.

The Florida International Festival is the creation of Daytona Beach resident and businessman, Herbert M. "Tippen" Davidson, Jr.

Davidson knew the natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle of Daytona Beach had already made it a popular destination for Spring Break and stock car racing. He and other area leaders decided the area needed a new event -- one that focused on music and culture.

A committee was organized and letters were written to the world's top orchestras, inviting each to visit Daytona Beach to play a little music and enjoy sand and surf.

The London Symphony Orchestra responded enthusiastically. In just eight days, the Daytona Beach community raised enough money to bring the orchestra and its leaders across the Atlantic Ocean.

What began in the 1960s as a modest venture started by just a few people has grown into a biennial, 17-day-phenomenon known as the Florida International Festival, now going into its 37th year.


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