Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

Chamber 5: Dvořák to Debussy
2026-05-02 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Galloway UMC, 305 N Congress St, Jackson, MS, 39201
Ticket sales open! 2025/26 concerts on sale now! Use the button below to purchase tickets online. For assistance with ticket purchases, contact MSO Patron Services by phone (601-414-6005) or email.

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Dvořák to Debussy
syncopated ensemble + string quartet
Hear the syncopated marriage of intellect and feeling in Trevor Weston’s Dig It for clarinet, percussion, electric guitar and more in an extraordinary musical conversation not to be missed. Plus, savor the dawn of modernism in an evening centered on the comforting serenades and old-world charm of Dvořák’s famous Wind Serenade and Debussy’s propelling and compelling String Quartet.
This performance is being recorded by Mississippi Public Broadcasting for future airing on MPB’s radio network.
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Sponsors

MSO’s Chamber Concert Series presented by:

Recording & broadcast by:

Concert Program

Trevor Weston, Dig it (2019)
Lowell Hollinger, soprano clarinet

Antonin Dvořák, Serenade for Wind Instruments, Cello & Bass, Op. 44 (1875)
Claude Debussy, String Quartet in G minor (1893)
Mississippi Symphony String Quartet
Alexander Ilchev, violin
Vince Massimino, violin
Ausra Jasineviciute, viola
Mert Ozkan, cello

Featured Musicians

Lowell Hollinger, soprano clarinet
MSO’s Second Clarinet Lowell Hollinger, of Miami, FL, has Bachelor Degrees in Biology and Music in Performance from Jackson State University, a Masters in Clarinet Performance from Louisiana State University, and is finishing a Doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is principal of the Mississippi Wind Symphony, teaches, and performs with orchestras in the region.
Mississippi Symphony String Quartet
Alexander Ilchev, violin
Vince Massimino, violin
Ausra Jasineviciute, viola
Mert Ozkan, cello

Tickets

Tickets are sold online using the “Purchase Tickets” button.
For assistance with ticket purchases, contact MSO Patron Services by phone (601-414-6005) or email.
Present your ticket with QR code on mobile device or printout.
6:30 pm – Venue Box Office opens
7:00 pm – Venue doors open
7:30 pm – Concert begins

Venue & Parking Information

The Venue: Galloway UMC, 305 N Congress St, Jackson, MS 39201
Parking: Galloway UMC parking lot and surrounding streets

Pops 2: Pepsi Pops
2026-05-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Old Trace Park at the Rez, 422 Post Road, Ridgeland, MS, 39157, United States
Ticket sales open! 2025/26 concerts on sale now! Use the button below to purchase tickets online. For assistance with ticket purchases, contact MSO Patron Services by phone (601-414-6005) or email.

Purchase Tickets

Pepsi Pops
blast in the park + celebrating USA’s 250th
Grab a friend, neighbor, date, parent – heck, the whole extended family – and embrace this beloved tradition of picnicking and soaking up the sunset on the banks of the Reservoir with MSO. Share time-honored movie-score favorites, plus more from the Great American Songbook, then stick around for the spirit-swelling patriotic tunes and thrilling fireworks finale saluting 250 years of America!
For more details, expand toggles below.

Sponsors

MSO’s Pops Concert Series presented by:

Concert presented by:

Concert sponsored by:
Media sponsors:

Concert Program

National Anthem
American Salute
​Shaker
Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan
Colonel Bogey March​​​​
Selections from The Sound of Music
​Armed Forces Salute
Fanfare for the Common Man
Strings on Fire
American Patrol March
River Flows in You
Music from Frozen​​​​
Bella’s Lullaby from Twilight
Maple Leaf Rag​​​
​Star Spangled Spectacular
Stars and Stripes Forever

Schedule

5:00 pm – gates open
5:45 pm – Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra woodwinds
6:30 pm – David Keary and Friends
7:30 pm – MSO Pepsi Pops concert begins
Fireworks – in conjunction with finale

Food Trucks

Mando’s
Small Time Hot Dogs
A’ha Bistro
Street Dough
Beach Babe Beignets
Pepsi products will be available for purchase.

Concert Tickets

Tickets are sold online using the “Purchase Tickets” button.
Advance tickets $15; students $5; gate tickets $20
For assistance with ticket purchases, contact MSO Patron Services by phone (601-414-6005) or email.
Present your ticket with QR code on mobile device or printout.

VIP Parking Pass

VIP Parking Pass ($35) permits parking in the lot closest to the green space and is accessible through the gate located on Post Road.
Contact MSO Patron Services at 601-414-6005 or patronservices@msorchestra.com by May 1 to purchase in advance and receive by mail. Space permitting, parking passes may be available at the Post Road gate on the night of the concert.

Venue, Map & Parking Information

The Venue: Old Trace Park on the Rez, 422 Post Road Ridgeland, MS 39157
Parking: free parking lot + VIP parking with $35 pass

Symphony on the Green
2026-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | St. Andrew’s Upper School, 370 Old Agency Rd., Ridgeland, MS, 39157, United States
St. Andrew’s Parents’ Association and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra are set for a fabulous Pops concert on the Upper School’s North Campus lawn, beside beautiful Lake Sherwood Wise. The concert is FREE and open to all ages. Picnic baskets, blankets and chairs are welcome, plus food trucks will be on site.

Sponsors

Concert Sponsor: St. Andrew’s Parents’ Association

Music Program

First Half

John Williams — Here They Come
John Williams — Imperial March from Star Wars
Michael Giacchino — Jan Erso & Hope Suite from Rogue One
Hans Zimmer, arr. Paul Lavender — Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Katy Perry — Firework
Alex North — Unchained Melody
arr. Ralph Ford — Video Games LIVE

Second Half

Henry Mancini — Strings on Fire
Henry Mancini — The Pink Panther
Leonard Bernstein, arr. Robert Longfield — One Hand, One Heart
arr. Calvin Custer — Mission Impossible Theme
arr. Crafton Beck — Bach Remix
Traditional — Funiculi, Funicula
arr. Patrick Roszell — Born This Way
J. Leubrie Hill — Oh You Drummer!
Morton Gould — American Salute
John Williams — Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark
John Philip Sousa — Stars and Stripes Forever

Symphony at Sunset
2026-09-17 19:00 - 21:00 | The Cedars in Fondren, 4145 Old Canton Rd, Jackson, 39216, United States
Enjoy an evening of pops, patriotic and movie tunes uniquely set under the ancient trees of The Cedars in Fondren, Jackson’s oldest residential structure. The non-smoking event is FREE and refreshments are available for purchase. Bring your chairs, blankets, picnic foods, friends and family, and come bask in an unparalleled cultural experience!

Sponsors

Concert Sponsor: Fondren Renaissance Foundation

Music Program

First Half

Traditional — National Anthem
Franz Liszt — Friska from Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Johann Strauss — Champagne Polka, Op. 211
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky — 1812 Overture

Second Half

arr. Calvin Custer — Peter Gunn
Howard Shore, arr. John Whitney — Symphonic Suite from Lord of the Rings
arr. Crafton Beck — Bach Remix
arr. Ted Ricketts — A Tribute to the King: The Music of Elvis
Sabrina Carpenter, arr. Patrick Roszell — Please, Please, Please
Ennio Morricone — Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission
Danny Elfman — Theme to Spiderman
John Williams — Jurassic Park
John Philip Sousa — Stars and Stripes Forever

Baroque Splendor
2026-09-19 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Andrew’s Cathedral, 305 Capitol St., Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
A winning opener showcases strings with Italian and German treats that sweep from bright and lively to absorbing and deep. Harpsichord soloist Shawn Leopard holds the spotlight with J.S. Bach’s breathtaking Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in an evening that also brims with works by Vivaldi, Geminiani and Corelli. Telemann’s Overture Suite “La Bizarre,” renowned for its wit, harmonic surprises and more, wraps up the concert in a big, fun bow.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsor: Kay & Charles Mortimer + Joe & Renee Lee

Talent Bio

Shawn Leopard, harpsichord
Shawn Leopard received her BA in foreign languages from the University of Southern Mississippi and MA in musicology from Indiana University with special emphasis on early music performance. Leopard teaches piano and harpsichord at Jackson State University and performs in Jackson, MS. Her specialty in early music performance as a continuo player and harpsichordist has been admired in many concerts with various groups and orchestras throughout the South and Northwest. She and celebrated organist John Paul have collaborated, toured and recorded to critical acclaim performing music written for two harpsichords focused on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and sons.

Music Program

First Half

Antonio Vivaldi — Sinfonia in G, RV 149
Francesco Geminiani — Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 6, in E minor
Johann Sebastian Bach — Harpsichord Concerto No. 1, in D minor, BWV 1052 (Shawn Leopard, harpsichord)

Second Half

Arcangelo Corelli — Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 10, in C
Georg Philipp Telemann — Overture Suite in G Major, TWV 55:G2, “La Bizarre”

American Celebration
2026-10-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
A musical toast to America250 salutes the emergence of the nation’s 20th-century artistic voice on the international stage. Get swept up in the exuberant spark of Bernstein’s Candide Overture. Embrace the breathless intoxication of Barber’s unabashedly romantic Violin Concerto in the hands of captivating young soloist Basil Alter. Schuman’s big and bold Symphony No. 3, praised for its vitality and intensity, is the climax of a truly stellar evening.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Selby & Richard McRae Foundation
Music Lit. Sponsor: The Walker Foundation
TIM Talks Sponsor: Four Seasons of the Arts

Talent Bio

Basil Alter, violin
In the 2026-2027 season, Tennessee-born violinist Basil Alter enjoys a busy schedule between the US and Europe. Based in London, he is an artist for the Tillett Trust, the City Music Foundation, and the Hattori Foundation, and has been featured in the Strad Magazine and the Violin Channel. Upcoming performances include appearances at St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Memphis Chamber Music Society with Victor Asuncion and Alexander Hersh, and concerto appearances of Mendelssohn, Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, and Piazzola. He is supported in part by the Craxton Memorial Trust.

Music Program

First Half

Leonard Bernstein — Candide Overture (1956)
Samuel Barber — Violin Concerto (1939) (Basil Alter, violin)

Second Half

William Schuman — Symphony No. 3 (1941)

Sundown at Renaissance
2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Renaissance At Colony Park, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, 39157, United States
Round up your friends and family. Grab a snack and a go-cup, from Malco Renaissance Cinema Grill & Bar or nearby Renaissance restaurants, and make yourself comfortable on the green space for a FREE open-air concert with Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and renowned guest vocalist John Christopher Adams!

Sponsors

Concert Sponsor: Renaissance at Colony Park

Talent Bio

John Christopher Adams
A versatile tenor and frequent performer of opera, jazz, gospel, and musical theatre, John Christopher Adams has performed on stages around the world including Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Israel, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, and Seattle. A native of Fannin, Mississippi, he holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Opera from Mississippi College and the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. As the Executive Director of Opera Mississippi, Adams is focused on expanding community outreach, education, and supporting young artists.

Fearless Fusion
2026-10-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Duling Hall, 622 Duling Avenue, Jackson, MS, 39216
MSO returns to the Duling Hall stage with a fresh batch of surprising new musical gems. Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winner Shaw weaves classical forms and current riffs in Entr’acte for a modern minuet with unexpected turns and surreal appeal. Weston’s jazzy Dig It positively percolates, while Hudson’s Nothing Less brilliantly intermingles trumpet virtuosity in a beautiful and lively mosaic of collaboration. Go genre-morphing with Smith in Brandenburg Interstices and zoom to distant lands with Erberk Eryilmaz’s Thracian Airs of Besime Sultan, in a super fun evening with an earpiece to the future.
Doors open at 6:30 PM; concert begins at 7:30 PM.

Sponsors

Concert Partner: Ardenland
Concert Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union

Music Program

First Half

Caroline Shaw — Entr’acte (2011)
Trevor Weston — Dig It (2019)
Caleb Hudson — Nothing Less (2024)

Second Half

Gabriella Smith — Brandenburg Interstices (2012)
Erberk Eryilmaz — Thracian Airs of Besime Sultan (2015)

Monumental Elegance
2026-11-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
A knockout punch of symphonic music elevates the thrill of hearing MSO live – from the spell-binding allure of Weber’s Oberon Overture to the colorful, enticing blast of Walker’s Trombone Concerto featuring the bright talent of MSO Principal Trombone Jude Morris. Plus Brahms’ monumental and much-requested Symphony No. 4, with its profound depth and haunting beauty, stands among the 19th century’s greatest masterpieces.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Selby & Richard McRae Foundation
Music Lit. Sponsor: The Walker Foundation
TIM Talks Sponsor: Four Seasons of the Arts

Talent Bio

Jude Morris, trombone
Morris is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at the Yale School of Music, now studying with Scott Hartman. He earned his Bachelor of Music at the Manhattan School where he was a concerto soloist in Martin’s Concerto for Seven Winds. Morris opened the Yale Philharmonia’s season as principal on Mahler’s Third Symphony, conducted by Peter Oundjian. Beyond musical pursuits, Morris is a published and awarded photographer and a collector of film cameras.

Music Program

First Half

Carl Maria von Weber — Oberon Overture (1825)
George Walker — Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra (1957), Jude Morris, trombone

Second Half

Johannes Brahms — Symphony No. 4 (1884)

Spirited Jubilation
2026-11-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Cade Chapel MB Church, 1000 W Ridgeway St, Jackson, MS, 39213, United States
Copland’s much loved, Pulitzer Prize-winning Appalachian Spring, in its original setting for 13 players, sets the stage for a concert overflowing with American spirit. At the heart of the program is a trio of songs based on Walker’s poetry and Klein’s music performed by JSU Chorale and soloist. Cade Chapel Chorale selections bring it home at the close and all are welcome for a post-concert chat.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsor: Dr. Jason Taylor

Talent Bio

Randy Klein, Composer, Pianist, Record Producer, Author
The career of music educator Randy Klein spans jazz, pop, R&B, hip hop, cabaret, rock, and art songs. He has written a dozen musical theatre shows with productions scheduled nationwide, scored three PBS documentaries, and recorded and released numerous solo piano albums. In June 2026, his folk opera based on Margaret Walker’s landmark novel Jubilee debuted at Jackson State University, as part of the Yale Alliance for Scholarship, Collaboration, Engagement, Networking and Development (ASCEND) Initiative.
Jackson State University Concert Chorale
The award-winning Jackson State University Concert Chorale returns to perform with MSO under the direction of Dr. Harry Cecil. Through the years, the award-winning choir has been featured at music conventions, civil rights conferences and churches across the U.S and Europe.

Music Program

First Half

Aaron Copland — Appalachian Spring (Original Setting for 13 Players) (1944)
Poems by Margaret Walker (1966), Music by Randy Klein — I Want to Write; If I Hear a Rumbling from Jubilee; For My People, JSU soloist + JSU Concert Chorale

Second Half

Selections, Cade Chapel Chorale

Mozart by Candlelight
2027-01-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Belhaven University Center for the Arts, 835 Riverside Dr., Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
Candles’ glow plus irresistible music make this concert a midwinter must. Saint-Georges was a virtuoso violinist and a pioneering composer to which his vibrant L’amant Anonyme Overture attests. Mozart’s Divertimento is a crowning achievement from the master and a Sinfonia Concertante by Johann Sebastian Bach’s youngest son features MSO’s own Alexander Ilchev and Mert Özkan. Mozart’s sparkling Symphony No. 29, embodying both his youthful vigor and early maturity, commands the concert’s second half.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsor: Emerson (Bud) & Judy Robinson + StateStreet Group

Talent Bio

Alexander Ilchev, violin
MSO Concertmaster Alexander Ilchev, of Bulgaria, possesses a virtuosic approach to performance, greatly influenced by his father Professor Alexander Petrov Ilchev, and has a wide-ranging repertoire from Baroque to Contemporary music. Winner of multiple competitions, he holds two Masters Degrees and has performed at notable venues including Chamber Hall Bulgaria, Library of Congress, and Carnegie Hall.
Mert Özkan, violoncello
Acting Principal Violoncello Mert Özkan, of Turkey, has Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees from Trakya University State Conservatory plus a Masters from Southeastern University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate at University of Southern Mississippi. He serves in several orchestras in the Southeast, including Louisiana Philharmonic, and is a devoted cello instructor.

Music Program

First Half

Joseph Bologne Saint-Georges — Overture to L’Amant Anonyme (1780)
Wolfgang Mozart — Divertimento in Eb, K. 113 (1771)
Johann Christian Bach — Sinfonia Concertante in A Major for Violin and Violoncello with Orchestra, W.C. 34 (1775), Alexander Ilchev, violin; Mert Ozkan, cello

Second Half

Wolfgang Mozart — Symphony No. 29, in A, K. 201 (1774)

Brilliant Pianoforte
2027-01-30 19:30 - 21:00 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Entrancing Venezuelan-born pianist Gabriela Martinez, one of the world’s top Chopin performers hailed for her magical touch and knowing technique, shines in his poetic and beloved Piano Concerto No. 2. Bookending the night are a pair of treasured and often-requested works by Beethoven – the scintillatingly dramatic Coriolan Overture and his exhilaratingly perfect Symphony No. 7.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Selby & Richard McRae Foundation
Music Lit. Sponsor: The Walker Foundation
TIM Talks Sponsor: Four Seasons of the Arts

Talent Bio

Gabriela Martinez, piano
Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez has a reputation for the lyricism of her playing, her compelling interpretations, and her elegant stage presence. Her playing has been described as “magical… a remarkable pianist, with a cool determination, a tone full of glowing color and a seemingly effortless technique” (LA Times) and “…versatile, daring and insightful” (New York Times). Gabriela has a vast repertoire, and a deep commitment to expanding the canon through new commissions and multi-disciplinary collaborations. She also has a strong belief in the importance of arts education, and bringing classical music to younger audiences, as well as to people and places that might not normally experience it.

Music Program

First Half
Ludwig van Beethoven — Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 (1807)
Frederik Chopin — Piano Concerto No. 2, in F minor, Op. 21 (1829), Gabriela Martinez, piano
Second Half
Ludwig van Beethoven — Symphony No. 7, Op. 92, in A Major (1812)

Video Games LIVE
2027-02-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Get your game on, and your costume, too, for this engaging concert experience celebrating the music of the most popular video games of all time, including Halo, Skyrim, Castlevania, The Last of Us and more! Co-created by star game composer Tommy Tallarico, this award-winning program amps up the symphonic power of MSO with the punch of synchronized video and lighting. Performers, electronic percussion, live action and interactive play add to a sensory rush guaranteed to hook gamers and non-gamers alike.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union

Talent Bio

Tommy Tallarico, Game Industry Veteran & Superstar
TV personality, live performer, show producer, creative director, game console CEO, accomplished musician, sound designer and composer, Tommy Tallarico brings his in-depth knowledge, years of experience, and a love of cutting-edge multimedia and pop culture to the masses. A veritable video game industry icon, Tallarico helped revolutionize the gaming world with unique audio landscape compositions that enhance the video gaming experience far beyond bleeps and bloops. Producer, co-creator, writer and co-host of 3 internationally award-winning syndicated and network television shows, as well as creator, producer and host of the worldwide touring sensation Video Games Live, Tallarico has become a highly sought after live show creative director/producer for clients including Disney, MGM, Blizzard/Activision, and Capcom.

Music Program

First Half
Halo
Warcraft
Skyrim
Kingdom Hearts
Metal Gear Solid
The Last of Us
Second Half
Undertale
Shadow of the Colossus
Mass Effect
Castlevania
Okami
and more!

Picturesque Grandeur
2027-02-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Think of the opening, natural-world charm of Delius’ On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring as a tasty appetizer for the following full-immersion feast of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4. Subtitled “Romantic,” this great and massive work evokes a storied thread of medieval scenes – breaking dawn, knights on horseback and forest hunts – yet echoes landscapes so lush, vast, emotionally rich and resonant this joie de vivre journey becomes transcendent.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Selby & Richard McRae Foundation
Music Lit. Sponsor: The Walker Foundation
TIM Talks Sponsor: Four Seasons of the Arts

Music Program

First Half
Frederick Delius — On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring (1912)
Second Half
Anton Bruckner — Symphony No. 4, in Eb “Romantic” (1874)

Shining Lights
2027-03-06 19:30 - 21:00 | St. James’ Episcopal Church, 3925 Oakridge Dr., Jackson, MS, 39216, United States
An evening of refreshing selections herald the vernal season’s arrival. Respighi’s shimmering Il Trittico Botticelliano evokes a trio of Botticelli masterpieces, including The Birth of Venus. Italian composer Allegro’s radiant October Light, 2025 winner of MSO’s Premier Orchestral Institute International Composition Competition, spreads warmth and positivity. Ries, friend and student of Beethoven, signals the emergence of his own musical voice with the drama and energy of his most popular Symphony No. 6, in a joyous finish that matches the exuberant glory of spring.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsor: Frances & Cooper Morrison

Talent Bio

Michele Allegro, POI 2025 International Composition Competition Winner
Sicilian pianist-composer Michele Allegro teaches at the Instituto Compressive Rita Levi-Montalcini Partanna. With a II-level degree in piano, as well as Chamber Music from the premier Italian music institution Arrigo Boito Conservatory, he carries out an intense career in composition, and regularly performs in Italy and abroad. Winner of numerous international composition awards, he released his first album in 2022. As a pianist he performs and collaborates at festivals and theaters across Europe.

Music Program

First Half
Ottorino Respighi – Il Trittico Botticelliano (1927)
Michele Allegro – October Light (2025), 2025 POI Composition Competition Winner
Second Half
Ferdinand Ries – Symphony No. 6 (1822)

Prized Treasures
2027-04-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Woodworth Chapel Tougaloo College, 6550 Tougaloo Blvd., Jackson, MS, 39214, United States
The spotlight truly homes in on MSO players in a program showcasing their standout skills and talents. Spohr’s Nonet, a landmark 1813 chamber work for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and strings, is adored for its inventive, beautiful melodies, soulful themes and cheerful finish. Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet highlights MSO Principal Clarinet Jorge Diez and the Mississippi Symphony String Quartet in a richly rewarding dialogue that lingers long after the last note.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsor: Lesly Gaynor Murray in memory of Stephen C. Edds

Talent Bio

Jorge Diez, clarinet
MSO’s Principal Clarinetist Jorge Diez is a native of Colombia. He has performed across three continents and in six countries, and collaborated with notable orchestras under the baton of renowned conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel. With an undergraduate degree from El Sistema de Orquestas and a Doctorate in Clarinet Performance from the University of Alabama, Diez is also a performing artist for Selmer Paris and D’Addario Woodwinds.
MSO String Quartet: Alexander Ilchev, violin; Vince Massimino, violin; Ausra Jasineviciute, viola; Mert Ozkan, cello

Music Program

First Half
Louis Spohr – Nonet, Op. 31, in F Major (1813)
Second Half
Johannes Brahms – Clarinet Quintet, in B Minor, Op. 115 (1891), performed by Jorge Diez, clarinet, and the Mississippi Symphony String Quartet

Majestic Showpieces
2027-04-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 East Pascagoula Street, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Compelling French-born harp soloist and audience favorite Emmanuel Ceysson returns to center stage with two handpicked French showpieces – Pierné’s dreamy Conzertstück and Saint-Saëns’ flashy Morceau de Concert. A delight at every turn, this concert also stirs visual flights of fancy, from Dukas’ mischievous The Sorcerer’s Apprentice to Ravel’s famous orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Selby & Richard McRae Foundation
Concert Sponsor: Grace & Shinn Lee
Music Lit. Sponsor: The Walker Foundation
TIM Talks Sponsor: Four Seasons of the Arts

Talent Bio

Emmanuel Ceysson, harp
Internationally acclaimed guest harpist Emmanuel Ceysson is currently with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, after years as Principal Harp with Opéra National de Paris and New York MET Opera Orchestra. Born and raised in France, his advanced music education and international distinctions began at age 16, paving the way for a globe-spinning career as a recitalist in major concert venues, a soloist with leading orchestras, a feature at important music festivals, and a recording artist with broad discography. Emmanuel invests time and energy in masterclasses worldwide and teaches a harp studio at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Music Program

First Half
Paul Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1897)
Gabriel Pierné – Conzertstück in Gb Major, Op. 39 (1903), Emmanuel Ceysson, harp
Camille Saint-Saëns – Morceau de concert, in G, Op. 154 (1903), Emmanuel Ceysson, harp
Second Half
Modeste Mussorgsky, orchestrated by Maurice Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition (1874)

Moonlight, Music & Meteors
2027-04-16 19:30 - 21:00 | “The Den” in LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, Riverside Park Circle, Jackson, 39216, United States
Imagine a Friday night under the stars with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and sample concessions from vendors. Kick back, peer into the skies, and visit with area physicists, astronomers, and NASA Solar System Ambassadors — all during the Lyrid meteor shower!

Sponsors

Concert Sponsor: MS Museum of Natural Science Foundation

Music Program

First Half
Richard Strauss – Introduction to Also Sprach Zarathustra from 2001, A Space Odyssey
Johann Strauss, Jr. – Blue Danube Waltz from 2001, A Space Odyssey
arr. Crafton Beck – Beethoven Remix
arr. Crafton Beck – Bach Remix
arr. Calvin Custer – Star Trek Through the Years
arr. Patrick Russell – David Bowie Hits
Stephen Schwarz, arr. Ted Ricketts – Highlights from Wicked
Second Half
Wolfgang Mozart – Allegro Vivace from Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”
Camille Saint-Saëns – Volières, Aquarium, Tortues, and Fossiles from Carnival of the Animals
Mary Chapin Carpenter – When Halley Came to Jackson
Hans Zimmer – Suite from Interstellar
Michael Giacchino – Jyn Erso & Hope Suite from Rogue One
John Williams – Imperial March from Star Wars Episode V; March of the Resistance from Star Wars Episode VII; Superman

Sundown at Renaissance
2027-04-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Renaissance At Colony Park, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, 39157, United States
Round up your friends and family. Grab a snack and a go-cup, from Malco Renaissance Cinema Grill & Bar or nearby Renaissance restaurants, and make yourself comfortable on the green space for a FREE open-air concert with Mississippi Symphony Orchestra!

Sponsors

Concert Sponsor: Renaissance at Colony Park

Pepsi Pops
2027-05-07 17:30 - 21:00 | Old Trace Park at the Rez, 422 Post Road, Ridgeland, MS, 39157, United States
Nothing beats the breezy appeal of dusk on the Rez as favorite melodies drift over the scene and waters lap the shoreline at Old Trace Park. The tradition continues with a new mix of movie, TV, Broadway and songbook standards to serenade families, friends, dates and more who wouldn’t miss this annual treat. Picnics, takeout or food truck fare make an evening of it, and the fireworks finale unites the crowd with a swell of patriotic pride climaxing a salute to 250 years of America!
Gates open at 5:30 PM; music begins at 7:30 PM.

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsor: Brown Bottling Group, EastGroup Properties, and Explore Ridgeland

Music Program

First Half
Traditional – National Anthem
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Selections from Phantom of the Opera
Ennio Morricone, arr. Henry Mancini – Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission
arr. Larry Moore – Lord of the Dance
Traditional – Nil ‘Na La / Toss the Feathers
Leroy Anderson – Sandpaper Ballet
Leroy Anderson – Home Stretch
arr. Bob Lowden – Armed Forces Salute
Second Half
Alan Menken, arr. Michael Kosarin – Overture to Beauty and the Beast
arr. Ralph Hermann – Eleanor Rigby
arr. Ralph Hermann – Michelle
arr. Ralph Hermann – Yesterday
arr. Calvin Custer – Beach Boys Medley
Michael Giacchino – Jyn Erso & Hope Suite from Rogue One
Klaus Badelt – Pirates of the Caribbean
John Williams – Jurassic Park
John Philip Sousa – Stars and Stripes Forever

Symphony at Sunset
2027-05-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Vicksburg Military Park, 3201 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39183, United States
Against the backdrop of a balmy sunset, a starry night sky and the rolling hills of Vicksburg, MSO treats listeners young, old and in-between to a lineup of favorites from stage, screen and the top of the charts. Bring the kids, bring the parents, bring a date, bring some friends, or your whole neighborhood if you like — this outdoor charmer fits all. Count on a fireworks finale to unite the crowd with a swell of patriotic pride climaxing a salute to 250 years of America!

Sponsors

Series Sponsor: Keesler Federal Credit Union
Concert Sponsors: Friends of the Vicksburg National Military Park, Four Seasons of the Arts, and Vicksburg National Military Park

Music Program

First Half
Traditional – National Anthem
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Selections from Phantom of the Opera
Ennio Morricone, arr. Henry Mancini – Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission
arr. Larry Moore – Lord of the Dance
Traditional – Nil ‘Na La / Toss the Feathers
Leroy Anderson – Sandpaper Ballet
Leroy Anderson – Home Stretch
arr. Bob Lowden – Armed Forces Salute
Second Half
Alan Menken, arr. Michael Kosarin – Overture to Beauty and the Beast
arr. Ralph Hermann – Eleanor Rigby
arr. Ralph Hermann – Michelle
arr. Ralph Hermann – Yesterday
arr. Calvin Custer – Beach Boys Medley
Michael Giacchino – Jyn Erso & Hope Suite from Rogue One
Klaus Badelt – Pirates of the Caribbean
John Williams – Jurassic Park
John Philip Sousa – Stars and Stripes Forever
