CONCERTS

Our must-see season premiere starts with an episode full of seduction, passion, and romance. Composer Richard Strauss’s tone poem brings to life Don Juan, possibly the most famous and unscrupulous lover of Western lore. We’re thrilled to present one of the 2025 Van Cliburn Winners (yet to be announced) in their debut season as a winner of this coveted international award, and we’ll round out the evening with Springfield’s premiere of Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, the Swahili word for “unity,” a joyful and inspiring piece about hope.

Tune in for an epic night dedicated entirely to the music of John Williams, one of Hollywood’s greatest composers, whose music instantly evokes adventure, nostalgia, and movie magic! From the triumphant brass of Star Wars to the haunting strings of Schindler’s List, John Williams’s symphonic film scores have shaped the sound of modern cinema. This electrifying concert highlights the genius behind the music that has defined decades of movies and transforms the orchestra into the ultimate blockbuster experience.

Saddle up, folks, ‘cause we’ve got a rip-roarin’ night of music headed your way! This concert is bringin’ together the grand tales of the old and the trailblazin’ sounds of the new. We’ll kick things off with the mighty fanfare of Wagner’s Meistersinger, a tune fit for a showdown at high noon. Then, hang onto your hats as Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al, featuring the quartet, Sandbox Percussion, rides in with a bold, high-energy twist that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. But the real wild ride begins with Copland’s Billy the Kid—a sweeping, gunslingin’ musical saga of the American West. So, dust off your boots—this is one showdown you won’t want to miss!

heartwarming concert filled with holiday cheer! Journey into the wonder of The Snowman, a classic British silent film, and relive timeless holiday favorites—all brought to life by the symphony. This concert is made even more special by the angelic voices of the Springfield Children’s Choirs, adding warmth, wonder, and a touch of nostalgia to this festive night.

Step into a world of mystery and high-stakes drama—where every note tells a story, and the truth hides between the lines. Stravinsky’s Petrushka unravels a dark tale of manipulation and jealousy with an ill-fated puppet whose desperate fight for love ends in tragedy. Adding another layer of intrigue, Wei-Yun Chang, the 2025 Hellam Competition Winner, takes the stage—an up-and-coming talent about to make their mark. One night. Three gripping stories. Don’t miss a moment of the action!

Experience the realm of the spiritual and divine with three visionary composers exploring the deepest questions about life and death. From Hildegard von Bingen, 12th-century German abbess, mystic, and composer, we will hear O Virtus Sapientiae, a work that transcends time with its beauty and deep spirituality. In Symphonie Mathis der Maler, Paul Hindemith explores the life of German Renaissance painter Matthias Grünewald, whose masterpiece Isenheim Altarpiece is considered one of the most poignant and moving depictions of the Crucifixion in religious art. And in Fauré’s Requiem, we hear a composer’s personal reflection on life and death—one that offers peace instead of fear.

Legendary Broadway composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim transformed musical theater with their unforgettable melodies and groundbreaking storytelling. From Webber’s soaring ballads in Phantom of the Opera and Evita to Sondheim’s razor-sharp wit in Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, this concert is a celebration of Broadway at its best. Don’t miss this electrifying night of collaboration with Missouri State’s Department of Musical Theatre in a concert of favorite songs from two of Broadway’s true giants.

Experience a night of bold sound, lush melodies, and unstoppable energy.

Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony is a work of defiance and triumph that forever changed Western music, shattering the boundaries of symphonic music and revolutionizing the world of musical possibilities. We pair this with Peter Boyer’s triumphant Fanfare, Hymn, and Finale, and finally, we are thrilled to welcome Aubree Oliverson back to our stage after her enormously popular debut with the Springfield Symphony for Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic, passionate, and beguiling Violin Concerto.  Our audiences fell in love with Aubree in 2025, and no one will want to miss another chance to see this spectacular rising star back on stage at Hammons!

Once upon a time, in a world of shimmering melodies and wondrous dreams, a tale of transformation, love, and a missing slipper unfolds in Prokofiev’s ballet, Cinderella. We are joined once again by the Saint Louis Ballet under the direction of Gen Horiuchi in this audience-favorite fairy tale. From romantic duets and dizzying waltzes to the silly antics of the loathsome stepsisters, Cinderella is full of moments that charm and delight, and you’ll be swept away in a dream come true at our stunning season finale. Just remember to be home by midnight!