26-27 Schedule

Iman HABIBI The Promised Hand
BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”

A century after it first took flight in Jacksonville, the Symphony gives The Flying Ace a powerful new voice. The Jacksonville Symphony brings the film vividly to life with the world premiere of a newly commissioned orchestral score. Written collaboratively by six of today’s leading composers and performed live alongside a screening of the original film, the music unfolds in real time—reimagining a silent classic with the full power, color and emotional range of a modern symphony orchestra. Learn more

This is more than a film screening. More than a concert. It is a once-in-a-century cultural event—honoring Jacksonville’s artistic legacy while creating something entirely new for our community and the national stage.

Courtney Lewis Conductor
Carlos Simon Lead Composer
Jongnic Bontemps Composer
Kathryn Bostic Composer
Nathalie Joachim Composer
Allison Loggins-Hull Composer
Levi Taylor Composer

A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams' charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Jacksonville Symphony Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who's accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves.  Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family!
© 1990 Twentieth Century Fox

MOZART Overture to Così fan Tutte

SCHUBERT "Unfinished" Symphony

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4

Experience the wonder of the season with A Grand Symphony Christmas, a breathtaking celebration featuring the combined power of our Adult and Children’s Choruses.

Tis the season for this treasured collaboration of Brass, Organ & Percussion! Organist Greg Zelek joins our Symphony musicians to deliver a joyful selection of holiday favorites with the extraordinary sound of the Bryan Concert Organ. It’s a performance brimming with music, magic and cheer!

Greg Zelek Organ

The cherished First Coast Nutcracker is back, filling the air with the wonder and joy of the season! For more than 50 years, this iconic Jacksonville Symphony tradition brings families and communities together to experience holiday enchantment. Tchaikovsky’s timeless melodies come to life as snowflakes dance, slippers sparkle and festive costumes twirl. This heartwarming celebration features live music and over 130 ballet dancers, making it the only local production of its kind. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of family, music and magic—an absolute must for this season!
Rhonda Stampalia Choreographer

The Jacksonville Symphony welcomes back Tony DeSare for a performance filled with effortless style, heart and timeless appeal. With his velvety voice and irresistible charm, DeSare brings Frank Sinatra’s most famous, nostalgic tunes from the Great American Songbook to Jacoby Symphony Hall, including “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” “Luck Be a Lady” and “New York, New York.” Join us as we honor classic crooners in an evening of swinging sound!
Tony DeSare Piano & Vocalist

Repertoire featuring:

TCHAIKOVSKY Queen of Spades Overture

GLINKA Kamarinskaya

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2: II. Andantino marziale

TCHAIKOVSKY Waltz from Eugene Onegin

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony 4: Finale 

Join Rick Steves live on stage together with the Jacksonville Symphony for an unforgettable musical tour across Europe. Repertoire featuring:

WARD America the Beautiful

STRAUSS II Emperor Waltz, Op. 437

WAGNER "Prelude to Act III" from Lohengrin

SMETANA "Die Moldau" from Má vlast

ELGAR Pomp and Circumstance, March No. 1 in D major, Op. 39 No. 1

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnole, Op. 34 mvts. 4-5

VERDI Nabucco: Overture

GRIEG "Morning Mood" from Peer Gynt, Op. 23

SAINT-SAENS "March militair française" from Suite algérienne, Op. 60

BEETHOVEN "Ode to Joy" from Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

Rick Steves Host/Narrator

Fabio Luisi Conducts
Jean-Yves Thibaudet Piano

J. STRAUSS Selection of Waltzes (arr. Schoenberg)
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major
R. STRAUSS Suite from Der Rosenkavalier

Fabio Luisi Conducts  
John Matthew Myers Evangelist
Hanno Müller-Brachmann Jesus/Christus
Deanna Breiwick Soprano
Jennifer Johnson Cano Mezzo-Soprano
Brian Giebler Tenor
Edmund Milly Bass
Dallas Symphony Chorus – Anthony Blake Clark Chorus Director

BACH St. John Passion (DSO Premiere)

BRITTEN Simple Symphony

BRITTEN Violin Concerto

ELGAR Symphony No. 1

Stephanie Childress Conductor

Noa Wildschut Violin

TBA

Celebrate the magic of the season under the stars at our annual holiday concert, a free community tradition held at Aaron Bessant Park as part of the Beach Home for the Holidays festivities.

Bernstein: “Three Dance Variations” from Fancy Free

Bernstein: Chichester Psalms

Borodin: Polovetsian Dances

Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite

Christopher Warren-Green, Conductor

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 9

Courtney Lewis Conductor

Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber are not only knights—they also happen to be three of the most successful songwriters of all time with careers that span decades. Music of the Knights honors their lasting musical influence with songs such as “Memory,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Your Song,” “Circle of Life,” “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude.”

Spot-On Entertainment Vocalists 

TBA