Florida State University Artist Series Programs

The Florida State College for Women (FSCW) Artist Series began in 1923. Dean Ella Opperman was the first person in charge of organizing the series. The series was intended to bring renowned artists to FSCW. After FSCW became Florida State University (FSU), the FSU School of Music managed the series. However, in 1974 the FSU Artist Series Committee assumed control. Because of financial difficulties in the early 1990s, the Artist Series was briefly discontinued. The series was then entitled the "Community Concerts in Tallahassee" and included organizations outside the University. By the 1996-1997 season the Community Concerts in Tallahassee name was changed to the Artist Series. Although this new artist series is not a direct organizational descendant of the earlier one it is its spiritual successor.


The Artist Series has actively sought the services of many respected artists throughout its existence. Some of artists that performed at the series include: Florence Austral; Harold Bauer; Sari Biro; Robert Casadesus; Pablo Casals; Richard Crooks; Marcel Dupre; Mischa Elman; Ella Fitzgerald; Martha Graham; Percy Grainger; Vladamir Horowitz; Jose Itrube; Guioman Noveas; Eugene Ormandy; William Primrose; Benno Rabinof; Ruggiero Ricci; Ted Shawn; Beverly Sills; Mia Slavenska; Isaac Stern; and Lawrence Tibbett. Respected performing companies that came to FSU included: Ballet Folciorico Nacional de Mexico; Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra; Russian Symphony Choir; and the Vienna Choir Boys.