A bird’s-eye view of Kyle Wylie Pickett conducting the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
SOURCE: Springfield Daily Citizen Articles
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra wants to bring the riveting plots, captivating characters and intense emotions of the big and small screens to Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in its 91st season.
Titled “Bingeworthy,” Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s nine-concert subscription series runs from Sept. 13, 2025, through May 9, 2026.
“Under the direction of Music Director Kyle Wiley Pickett, the ‘Bingeworthy’ season invites audiences to experience a dynamic blend of story-driven music inspired by beloved characters and epic narratives,” the company said in a press release. “Much like a lineup of captivating, star-studded prestige television, the season will feature unforgettable musical storytelling by some of the world’s greatest composers. From iconic figures like Billy the Kid, Cinderella and Don Juan, each performance will bring timeless characters vividly to life on stage.”
From Don Juan to Cinderella, here’s what the Springfield Symphony Orchestra is preparing for its 91st season.
‘Don Juan’
Sept. 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
The season premieres with an episode full of seduction, passion and romance. Composer Richard Strauss’s tone poem brings to life “Don Juan,” possibly the most famous lover of Western lore. The performance features one of the yet-to-be-announced 2025 Van Cliburn winners in their season debut. The performance ends with the Springfield premiere of Valerie Coleman’s “Umoja,” the Swahili word for “unity,” a joyful and inspiring piece about hope.
‘The Music of John Williams’
Oct. 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s second concert of the season is entirely dedicated to the music of John Williams, one of Hollywood’s greatest composers. The orchestra will perform music from “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter,” “Jaws,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Schindler’s List,” “Indiana Jones” and more.
“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,” the company said in the press release. “This electrifying concert highlights the genius behind the music that has defined decades of movies and transforms the orchestra into the ultimate blockbuster experience.”
