There’s a rhythm to exiting Orlando Philharmonic executive director David Schillhammer’s seemingly nervous (but ultimately correct) conversational chorus. For more than a decade, Schillhammer has seen the Phil grow from next-to-nothing to ultimately becoming the most viable of Orlando’s cultural operations. Last year, the Phil made a bold move and transferred its operations to the Plaza Live on Bumby Avenue, eschewing expectations entirely (the Phil was supposed to have a home in the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, per publicly available documents explaining the center’s mission). This year, Schillhammer has decided to step down – not because of organizational chaos; just the opposite, really.
“It was time for me to, sorry to use the phrase, ‘Exit stage right,’ and to make room for the next voice,” he says. “And I’ve decided that there’s no shame in this. Though I am sad every minute, and I could cry at the drop of a hat, or with every email I receive from a patron or a volunteer, it doesn’t change my decision or my pride in what we’ve accomplished. And it certainly doesn’t change my unwavering love of the Orlando Philharmonic.”
That pride and love have resulted in a strong endowment, especially by Orlando standards, of $4.5 million, though Schillhammer obviously wishes that were a higher number. He waited to make his exit announcement until the Phil drafted impressive new music director Eric Jacobson, a task that was palpably close to his heart.
“I think we’re part of the fabric of the community,” he says. “We’re strong artistically. I can’t believe it. I pinch myself every day that we have Eric Jacobson as our new music director. He’s a world-class musician and cellist, a conductor and he has this amazing musical ability. It’s a chemistry that can’t be matched.”
A similar chemistry led Schillhammer to marry his husband in May, you might say. As for what’s next? Schillhammer is keeping his options open. But looking back, he’s fairly certain – and teary-eyed – about the symphony he helped to build in a town desperately in need of one.
“I was asked if I had a legacy, and that word is hard, but I know that my passion and drive on behalf of the Orlando Philharmonic has made a difference,” he says.
It certainly has.
