The VCO is a multigenerational orchestra. Our mission is to promote musical participation, education, and enjoyment in the Venice area community through our weekly rehearsals and periodic performances. We rehearse weekly from August to April in a very congenial and supportive environment. In the summer, with fewer numbers, we continue to rehearse and perform chamber music.

The VCO was started in 2011 by John Mabardi, an amateur cellist who formed a group of string players who wanted to get together to make music in a friendly environment. The group now includes a small number of professional musicians who also enjoy playing just for the fun of it. The VCO has always been a string orchestra, and even with the addition of a piano a few years ago, we primarily focus on repertoire for strings. The orchestra is open to anyone who can read music and enjoys playing classical, symphonic and traditional repertoire. There are no auditions, all levels are welcome to join.

The repertoire includes the full range of classical music, from the Renaissance to the 21st century, and an equal portion of popular music, from the Beatles to highlights from the great Broadway musicals.

For the last four years we have focused on presenting a very substantial concert each April, with proceeds from freewill offerings going to local charities. In the fall we have always performed several holiday concerts for community dinners at the Salvation Army and local churches.

The Venice Community Orchestra is a totally nonprofit organization, even if not by any legal definition, we manage to keep expenditures to a minimum. For many years one part of our mission to the community has been to give concerts for community dinners at the Salvation Army and local churches during the holiday season.

The VCO has also made a direct financial contribution to the community by donating all proceeds from our spring concerts to several local charities including; Inter Faith Outreach programs, South Sarasota Lunch for the Homeless program and Family Promise of South Sarasota County.