Jacksonville, Fla (January 21, 2025) – The Jacksonville Symphony is thrilled to announce that $3 million in generous donations have been received from longtime supporter Ann Hicks, and couple Michael Ward and Jennifer Glock. These gifts will strengthen the Symphony’s endowment, ensure continued artistic excellence and enhance music education and community engagement programs for generations to come.
Ann Hicks’ $2 million gift honors Music Director and Conductor Courtney Lewis’ 10th Anniversary Season. Ann Hicks is a Jacksonville native and life-long supporter of the Symphony. She has made significant contributions to the Symphony through her philanthropy and leadership, with her more recent contributions supporting the purchase of a Steinway concert grand piano, in addition to key artistic initiatives including the establishment of the David M. Hicks Piano Series.
“It is very gratifying to be able to celebrate Courtney Lewis’ decade with the Jacksonville Symphony,” said Ann Hicks. “Under his leadership, the orchestra has reached new heights, elevating it to the level that Jacksonville deserves.”
“Ann’s gift is an incredibly meaningful way to mark my tenth anniversary,” said Lewis. “Celebrating a decade with the Jacksonville Symphony alongside such a generous gesture reinforces the journey we’ve taken together. Her support honors not only the past but also the future we are building for this orchestra and for Jacksonville.”
Ward and Glock’s $1 million gift includes continued support of the Jennifer Glock Endowed Clarinet Chair, underscoring their legacy of sustaining the Symphony’s artistic excellence. Over the years, the couple has championed several initiatives, including a $1 million donation for COVID-19 relief efforts, which were used to keep the Symphony thriving during the challenges of the pandemic.
“Jacksonville is our home, and we believe that supporting the Symphony is an investment in the heart of our community.” said Ward. “In addition to enriching lives through music, this organization plays a vital role in strengthening our local economy by bringing people downtown and creating a vibrant cultural scene.”
Their commitment goes beyond the love of music—it reflects a deep belief in the Symphony’s role as a cornerstone of the community.
“We are proud to support the Jacksonville Symphony,” said Glock. “Music has a unique way of bringing joy and hope to life. It is our hope that this gift will inspire others to support the Symphony in the same way.”
The Symphony is grateful to Michael Ward, Jennifer Glock and Ann Hicks for their unwavering support, which will help propel the organization forward in its mission to inspire, enrich and unite the community through music.
“These gifts reflect a shared belief in the Symphony’s mission and its impact on our community,” said Steven B. Libman, President and CEO. “Their generosity exemplifies a passion for strengthening our community through the power of music. These contributions will have a lasting impact on both our artistic endeavors and our educational outreach.”
“For our musicians, donations are not just financial contributions – they represent the community’s belief in the Symphony’s value and its ability to enrich lives in our community and beyond.” said Courtney Lewis, Music Director and Conductor. “I must add my personal thanks to Ann Hicks and Jennifer Glock and Michael Ward for their continued generosity and outstanding support of the Symphony.”
With these transformative gifts, the Jacksonville Symphony is poised to continue its legacy of artistic excellence, inspire future generations of musicians and enrich the cultural life of Jacksonville for years to come.
About Ann Hicks Ann Curry Hicks, a Jacksonville native, is a philanthropist and community leader whose contributions have left a mark on the region's educational and cultural landscape. As a Trustee of the Hicks Charitable Foundation, Ann has supported numerous organizations throughout Northeast Florida, championing causes in education, the arts, and social services.
Ann, alongside her late husband, David Hicks, has been a driving force behind transformative initiatives at the University of North Florida (UNF). The couple co-chaired UNF’s “Access to Excellence” capital campaign and generously donated $7 million to establish the Hicks Honors College in 2015. They also originated the Pathways to Success Scholarship Program, funded by a $10 million endowment, which provides scholarships for students from public housing and HabiJax residences. Additionally, they created the Gray Study Abroad Scholarship to honor Father Neil Gray, an inspiring adjunct faculty member. In recognition of their leadership and support, UNF named Building 53 Hicks Hall in 2012.
Ann's dedication to education extends to her tenure as former president of the UNF Foundation Board and her decade-long service on the UNF Board of Trustees, following her 2001 appointment by Governor Jeb Bush. Her visionary leadership has been pivotal in shaping UNF’s mission and outreach.
Beyond her work with UNF, Ann has actively served on the boards of several prominent Jacksonville organizations, including the Jacksonville Area Planning Board, Junior League of Jacksonville, HabiJax, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and The Bolles School.
Through her tireless service and generosity, Ann Curry Hicks continues to inspire and uplift her community, fostering opportunities for growth, education, and cultural enrichment across Jacksonville.
About the Michael Ward & Jennifer Glock Foundation Jennifer Glock earned an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She was a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Jacksonville, FL for over 47 years. Recently retired, she is doing things she loves, including spending time outdoors gardening and hiking in the mountain woods of her native West Virginia. Glock has three daughters and six grandchildren, whom she sees as often as possible, but “not often enough.”
Michael Ward served as the chairman and chief executive officer of CSX Corporation for 14 years. Over his 40-year career, Ward headed CSX’s operations, coal sales and marketing, and finance departments. Ward’s commitment to personal philanthropy and corporate citizenship has been recognized with City Year’s
prestigious Lifetime of Idealism Award. He is a member of the Board of Directors of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) and also serves on various not-for-profit boards including City Year, One Love, Edward Waters College, Hubbard House, and the Civic Council of Jacksonville.
Through their private foundation, Michael Ward and Jennifer Glock have donated to various charitable causes. The focus of their giving has been increasing educational opportunities and results in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and college, as well as promoting healthy relationships, preventing domestic violence, and in support of the military and the arts.
About the Jacksonville Symphony The Jacksonville Symphony is North Florida’s leading nonprofit performing arts organization offering live performances at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and other venues throughout the area. Led by President and CEO Steven Libman and Music Director Courtney Lewis, the Jacksonville Symphony reaches over 165,500 individuals through over 95 performances each season. In addition, the Symphony provides music instruction for youth and operates the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras. For more information about the Symphony, visit JaxSymphony.org.
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Media Contact: Savannah Silliman Marketing and Public Relations Manager Jacksonville Symphony ssilliman@jaxsymphony.org