The EMMA Concert Association
The EMMA Concert Association brings a variety of classical concerts and events to St. Augustine throughout the year. From the Gainesville Orchestra to the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, we offer a variety of musical selections for every age range.
History of EMMA Concert Association
“EMMA has always been a nonprofit all-volunteer organization with a mission to produce quality music and dance performances at modest ticket prices.”
Although EMMA has been doing business for years as the EMMA Concert Association, the organization’s original name was Emil Maestre Music Association. Started by a small group of music lovers, among them Frieda Bringmann and Irene and Peter Allemano in April 1979, the organization was named after a famous Spanish cellist, Emil Maestre, who retired to St. Augustine. EMMA was incorporated in September of the same year. EMMA has always been a nonprofit all-volunteer organization with a mission to produce quality music and dance performances at modest ticket prices. Since then the organization has lived up to this commitment and never failed. The volunteers serving on the EMMA board of Directors change as times goes by, but they all embrace the work with the same enthusiasm and spirit of accomplishment that bonds the group together.
Location
“In 1993 EMMA found a permanent place for its performances at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College”
Originally EMMA Concert Association held concerts in many different places in St. Augustine including the Lightner Museum, the Presbyterian Church, Kirk Auditorium (The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind), the Episcopal Church and the Riverview Club; it was not until 1993 that EMMA found a permanent place for its performances. After forming a partnership with Flagler College, the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College has become EMMA’s home for all musical concerts and events.
For the 2022-23 concert season, EMMA will be offering five performances featuring a variety of local, national, and international orchestras. These performances also count as co-curricular events for students of Flagler College.
How EMMA Works
The EMMA Board is responsible for programming, finances, ticket sales, concert operations, publicity, advertising, publication of brochures and the EMMA playbill, “Footnotes”. Also among the Board’s duties are Sponsorship and the ‘Gift of Music’ Endowment Fund. Find out more about these programs and the work EMMA does under “Musical Education”.
EMMA Board of Directors
Officers:
President – Joanne Everett
Vice President – Carl Liberatore
Secretary – John Nolton
Treasurers – Jay Grossman
Directors:
Concert Operations – Linda Bartimus
Endowment Funds Treasurer – Helen Smith
Grants – Philip Garces. For further information please contact Philip at philip.garces@siemens.com
House Manager – Kathryn Trillas and Joe Moore
Historian – Mary Siess
Member-at-large – Olga Kostrubsky
Publications – Ingrid Moynihan
Schools Outreach – Tommy Bledsoe and Kathryn Trillas
Scholarships – Joanne Everett
Season Program – Jay Grossman and Jean Taliaferro
Sponsorship – Karen Meade
Tickets and Subscriptions – Managed by Guild members Judy and Mike Fegen
Words and Music – Joanne Everett and Mary Siess
Websites and Facebook – Mary Siess
Business Partners:
Accounting Counsel – Cowan & Pacetti, Inc
Financial Advisors – Thompson Baker
Insurance – Herbie Wiles, Inc
Marketing and Advertizing – Presented for us by Renee Unsworth, reneeunsw@gmail.com
EMMA Guild Officers:
President – Gaye Farris
Vice President – Helen Smith
Secretary – Eileen Chrzanowski
Treasurer – Marian Patrick