Midland Symphony Orchestra

SAT, OCT 12, 2024 / 7:30 PM

Felix Mendelssohn / Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor / Concerto for Violin in G minor, op. 80.
Igor Stravinsky / The Firebird Suite
Guest Artist / Nathan Amaral, violin

OPENING NIGHT! Appropriately, the Midland Symphony Orchestra launches our season of journey and discovery with an evening that begins as a calm voyage, progresses through lyrical enchantment, and finally builds to an imaginative fiery peak! We start with an epic 19th-century sailing adventure -- Mendelssohn’s delightful Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, inspired by Goethe’s poetry. Traveling into the early 20th century, the Orchestra pairs with 2024 Sphinx Competition Robert Frederick Smith Prize winner Nathan Amaral for a performance of the work that won him the prestigious award, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto in G minor, op. 80. Stravinsky’s enchanting The Firebird Suite, made familiar to many in Disney’s Fantasia 2000, follows the heroic adventure of a blazing and beautiful Firebird, closing out this exciting and intrepid evening with a monumental crescendo!

FRI & SAT, DEC 6 - 7, 2024 / 8 PM
SAT & SUN, DEC 7 - 8, 2024 / 2 PM
with Grand Rapids Ballet

AVAILABLE WITH 6-SHOW SUBSCRIPTION ONLY!

Visions of sugar plum fairies will dance across the stage in this treasured holiday classic! The Grand Rapids Ballet returns to perform their re-envisioned production of The Nutcracker, played by our own Symphony Orchestra. Experience the holiday magic with Clara as she journeys to the Land of Sweets with the Nutcracker, a gift from her mysterious uncle. Featuring choreography from world-renowned Val Caniparoli, with the dancing set against a distinctive and lush storybook set created by celebrated The Polar Express author/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg and designed by Tony® Award winner Eugene Lee.

SAT, DEC 14, 2024 / 4 PM
Guest Artists / Kevin Massey & Kara Lindsay, vocalists

The caroling Choirs of the Center and the Midland Symphony Orchestra, will be joined by Broadway power couple Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massey for an evening of holiday celebration! On Broadway, Kara originated the role of Katherine in NEWSIES and reprised her performance in the film version, Disney’s Newsies the Broadway Musical; she also appeared on Broadway as Glinda in WICKED and Cynthia Weil in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Kevin performed on Broadway in TARZAN, BIG RIVER, MEMPHIS, and A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER as well as in numerous touring and regional roles. Together they performed in the national tours of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE. Don’t miss this signature event of the Great Lakes Bay region’s holiday season!

SAT, FEB 1, 2025 / 7:30 PM

Jessie Montgomery / Starburst
Richard Strauss / Also sprach Zarathustra
Eric Whitacre, Deep Field

Discover the cosmos as you travel through billions of stars with the Midland Symphony Orchestra! Immerse yourself in the one-of-a-kind Deep Field experience created by Grammy® Award-winning composer Eric Whitacre – a stunning film, Deep Field: The Impossible Magnitude of our Universe, illuminates the astounding and powerful score. Experience extraordinary galactic imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope, immersive animation, and audience participation that invites guests to join in with the symphony via a smartphone app. Continue traveling to the edges of our universe with Jessie Montogomery’s dynamic Starburst and Strauss’ now iconic tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra, used in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

SAT, MAR 8, 2025 / 7:30 PM

Mozart / The Magic Flute
Mahler / Symphony No. 4
with Detroit Opera Resident Artists

This compelling performance will feature an elite ensemble of soloists from the renowned Detroit Opera Resident Artists and will be highlighted by excerpts from Mozart’s timeless and enchanting masterpiece, the fantasy quest The Magic Flute. Mahler’s spectacular Symphony No. 4 will complete the evening with its soaring and “heavenly” soprano solo. Members of Detroit’s premier producer and presenter of opera, musical theatre, and dance accompany Midland Symphony Orchestra’s performance in an unforgettable evening of music. Join us on this journey marrying spectacular voices with equally compelling music.

SAT, APR 5, 2025 / 7:30 PM

George Gershwin / Rhapsody in Blue & Piano Concerto in F
Guest Artist / Kevin Cole, piano

The award-winning and spectacular pianist Kevin Cole performs with the MSO, as he has done with over 100 orchestras! Regarded as the leading interpreter of George Gershwin’s piano compositions, Kevin will play the incomparable Rhapsody in Blue, beloved since its premiere in 1924 for its integration of jazz and classical music and considered one of the greatest symphonic achievements of the 20th century. Kevin, a local artist living in Bay City, will continue to delight with Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. Kevin is the perfect soloist for our exploration of Gershwin - declares Edward Jablonski, renowned Gershwin scholar, “Kevin is the best Gershwin pianist since Gershwin himself – no one can touch him.”