The Jacksonville Symphony performs at Jacoby Symphony Hall. | Jacksonville Symphony
Published on October 24, 2024 at 4:14 pm
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The Jacksonville Symphony has received its largest gift ever, a $5 million donation from longtime supporters Preston and Joan Haskell.
The donation will support the symphony’s endowment fund and capital improvements to Jacoby Symphony Hall.
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“The gift will provide a stable financial foundation for the symphony and will help ensure that the Jacksonville Symphony continues to deliver world-class performances, expand arts education programs and foster meaningful community engagement for generations to come,” the symphony said in a news release Thursday.
Preston Haskell has served multiple terms as president of the symphony’s board of directors. He was instrumental in the creation of Jacoby Symphony Hall, led the $22 million campaign in 1993 that brought the symphony’s new home to life, and significantly expanded the symphony’s endowment.
Joan Haskell also has played an impactful role. She served as president of the Symphony Guild from 1976 to 1978 and helped advance the symphony’s mission and its community outreach.
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The symphony is celebrating its 75th anniversary season.
“Every great city has a great orchestra, and the Jacksonville Symphony is a cultural gem in our community,” Haskell said in the news release. “The arts are essential to the human experience and not only enrich individuals but also stimulate economic growth and make cities more attractive places to live and work.”
Randy comes to Jacksonville from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where as metro editor, he led investigative coverage of the Parkland school shooting that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service. He has spent more than 40 years in reporting and editing positions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Florida.
