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Florida has more than a dozen official symbols… everything from a state tree to an official pie. Now two Tampa lawmakers want to make the Tampa Symphony the “Official Symphony of Florida”, but as Mike Vasilinda tells, ten other symphonies are not fond of the idea.

Hear it here: Suffering Symphonies 

Florida has a state sand: Myakka. A state fruit: the orange. And a questionable state song: There’s an official reptile, a state marine mammal… even an official pie: the Key Lime pie…and the list goes on.

So in addition to a state flower and a state fruit… and even the moonstone being the state gem, two Tampa lawmakers now want to make the Tampa symphony as the official symphony of Florida. The only problem is the other orchestras don’t like it.

There are 11 professional orchestras in Florida. Naming one as the official would be a slap in the face to the others. Mary Bedford is the President of the Tallahassee Symphony.  “Orchestras do not require this type of designation. It would be like designating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the official state football team.” says Bedford.

When we asked Governor Charlie Crist what he might do if the bill reaches his desk, he assured us he loved all music. “And Lynyrd Skynyrd too, I should say. You know, a great Florida band whose lead guitarist was a supporter during the campaign from the Fort Myers area. It’s a great outlet for our people.”

Similar legislation was vetoed by Jeb Bush, who said it wasn’t needed.