The Pinellas Park Orchestra, Inc. (also known historically as the PPCO) is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide musical performances for the public in the Pinellas Park area and to educate musicians and the public about musical expression.
History
The orchestra was founded by Dean Sisson in 1964 and was known as the
First Congregational Church Orchestra.
It continued on under the baton of Mr. Sisson until his passing and the baton was taken over by his wife, Marie. Marie continued to lead the orchestra until her passing in 1988.
The following September, Michael Ficcocelli, a violinist in the orchestra assumed the leadership of the orchestra until his retirement in 1992 and was succeeded by Richard VanDommelen.
In December of 1994, The First Congregational Church closed it's doors after one hundred and six years. The orchestra decided to stay together and moved to the City of Pinellas Park, becoming known as the Pinellas Park Civic Orchestra.
Art Hansuld began conducting the orchestra with Mr. VanDommelen in 2009, and assumed the full role in 2012. Martin Seggelke joined the orchestra as Assistant conductor in 2019 and became Conductor and Artistic Director in 2020.
The orchestra incorporated as a Florida nonprofit in 2011, and attained IRS 501(c)(3) status in 2015.
The orchestra performs concerts consisting of classical, show tunes, and pop selections October through April, at 7:30 PM in the Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Avenue.
Admission is free and contributions are gratefully accepted.
Rehearsals are at 7PM Mondays in the Performing Arts Center, from Labor Day to the end of March.
Strings-only rehearse Mondays 7PM from June through August.
© 2020 Pinellas Park Orchestra Inc.