The closure of the Punta Gorda Symphony in January 2024 left residents of Charlotte County without a professional symphony for the first time in nearly half a century. Just four months after the Punta Gorda Symphony went out of business, the new Florida Philharmonic performed its first concert on Memorial Day. Now, as musicians with the organization prepare for a highly anticipated second season this fall, we hear from Florida Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Richard Stoelzel about future plans for the symphony and his personal life journey through music. Like most musicians with the Florida Philharmonic, Stoelzel was previously a musician with the Punta Gorda Symphony. Stoelzel is also co-founder and President of the World Trumpet Society and a Yamaha International Performing Artist.