The Jacksonville Symphony is set to launch its 75th Anniversary Season with two unforgettable programs that promise to make history. On September 13 and 14, the Symphony opens its Pops Series with the world premiere of Parrots + Palms: The Songs of Buffett & Fins—a vibrant celebration of Jimmy Buffett and “fins” that has been 18 months in the making. ... Read More The post Jacksonville Symphony kicks off 75th Anniversary Season with Mahler’s magnum opus and a world premiere appeared first on Jacksonville Symphony ..read more

The Jacksonville Symphony honors Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting a few of the influential Hispanic composers whose works the Symphony performs this season, Hispanic musicians performing on the Jacoby Symphony Hall stage along with the Symphony’s exciting programs centered on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Making a lasting impact: Hispanic composers in history Manuel de Falla (1876-1946), a prominent Spanish ... Read More The post The Jacksonville Symphony Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Jacksonville Symphony ..read more

Can you share the backstory behind the Golden Isles Youth Orchestra? What work do you perform at this camp?  “The Golden Isles Youth Orchestra (GIYO), formerly called the Coastal Youth Symphony, was founded in 2005 by the Coastal Symphony of Georgia to introduce classical music to the children of Glynn County and the surrounding area. In 2014, GIYO outgrew its affiliation ... Read More The post Q&A with Jorge Peña appeared first on Jacksonville Symphony ..read more

How have you been preparing for the role of concertmaster at the Des Moines Metro Opera? What specific challenges do you anticipate while leading such a diverse repertoire of operas this summer?  “We have started rehearsals already, but in my preparation, I tried to focus a lot on the narratives and backgrounds of operas because there is always a story to tell. An opera is normally based on a play or a famous story. So, I watched the operas to get a feel for what’s happening when the music is being played and tried to incorporate that into the music and how to lead.   Regarding ..read more

The 2023/24 Season just ended. How do you feel about it? “I’m definitely sad about it. The season went by incredibly fast for me. When you come in, you often have to adjust to what’s happening in the orchestra, the new environment, new colleagues and a new ensemble nucleus where things function in a specific type of way. Becoming a part of that was an incredible experience, so it was a great year. I’m really happy to have had the opportunity to play with my colleagues, work with Courtney Lewis and be a part of the organization.”     We heard you have plans in Memphis, Tennessee ..read more

Courtney Lewis, Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony This year has flown by with so many performances and great artists that it’s hard to believe we’ve come to the final classical concert of the season. As we approach our 75th Season next year, there is much to look forward to, but first, we end this season with one of my favorite symphonies and one of the most exciting pieces to be written within the last decade.   We start with a new work by the great English composer Thomas Adès. We’ve played a few of Adès’ pieces over the past few years, and I’m particularly excited to int ..read more

Program Notes: Symphonie Fantastique Thomas Adès’ The Exterminating Angel Symphony World Premiere July 28, 2016; Salzburg, Austria (20 Minutes) The son of an art historian and a poet, Thomas Adès is a native of London. He studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music and King’s College Cambridge. Adès achieved success early, having a retrospective of his music when he was only in his 30s. His operas The Tempest, Powder Her Face and The Exterminating Angel have all entered the repertoire. Adès is active as a pianist and conductor in addition to his composing. Thomas Adès has held a commanding ..read more

Courtney Lewis, Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Ralph Vaughan Williams occupies a unique spot in music history. He lived a long life from 1872 to 1958, straddling the Romantic and Modern periods, and with Edward Elgar, who was 20 years his senior, led a renaissance of English music with his nine symphonies, operas, concertos and countless songs. He loved English folk music, traveling around the country with his friend and fellow composer Gustav Holst writing down songs. His music could be anguished and modern, as in the Fourth Symphony, but more often strikes a pastoral note, often ..read more

  Steven B. Libman, President & CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony     Those who have attended a performance with the Jacksonville Symphony have likely seen the magnificent pipes of the Bryan Concert Organ that stretch behind the stage all the way to the ceiling. Affectionally called the heart of Jacoby Symphony Hall, the organ has the power to fill the space and even shake the rafters with its booming melodies. At the same time, it can perform warm and softer melodies, showing its versatile musical capabilities. Reflecting the Jacksonville Symphony’s initiative to be the ..read more

Program Notes: Adelya Plays The Lark Ascending   Edward Elgar’s In the South  World Premiere March 16, 1904; London, England (20 minutes)  In the early 20th century, Edward Elgar was England’s most significant musical figure. His best-known works are the Pomp and Circumstance marches and the Enigma Variations. Elgar did not achieve widespread success until his 40s. Edward Elgar composed In the South in Italy, and the piece is specifically intended to suggest the scenery, Roman history and culture that he absorbed while he visited the town of Alassio on holiday in the wint ..read more