Orchestra's leader goes from cellist to conductor

As a young, classical music conductor in a town known more for Mickey Mouse than Mahler, Eric Jacobsen faces a double challenge: Live up to the promise of his youth and innovative background, and somehow discover the magic formula to lure young audiences to the concert hall.

"Some people feel that since I'm young, I'm going to somehow have the answers for bringing in a younger audience," Jacobsen said recently in an interview at a converted Space Age movie-house that is now the administrative home of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

"That's a challenge, always."