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Note: Due to the change in parking procedures at The University of Akron, we are no longer able to sell or provide pre-paid parking or valet. More information will be forthcoming as we have it.
Mahler’s Titan (September 20, 2025)
The season begins with an electrifying evening of symphonic grandeur. Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture is a jubilant celebration of popular song, including the universally recognized “Gaudeamus igitur.” Angela Cheng, Oberlin Conservatory Professor of Piano, then takes center stage for Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto, a rarely heard work of deep lyricism and virtuosic brilliance. The evening reaches its peak with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Titan, a sweeping and emotionally charged masterpiece that showcases the full power of the orchestra. After performing Mahler’s Third and Second Symphonies in recent years to great acclaim, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is excited to kick off its 72nd season with Mahler’s debut symphony.
The Firebird (October 18, 2025)
A night of mystery and drama awaits as the orchestra delves into cinematic and symphonic storytelling. Danny Elfman’s eerie Sleepy Hollow sets the mood with its haunting harmonies, followed by Rachmaninoff’s brooding The Isle of the Dead, a symphonic poem inspired by a painting of the same name. Classic FM included the tone poem as one of classical music’s top 20 scariest pieces, noting that “the music transports our immortal souls to the edge of the underworld.” Hans Zimmer’s Sherlock Holmes is a masterful example of character portrayal, with audible influences from the Russian master of drama Igor Stravinsky, whose dazzling Firebird Suite has captivated audiences for over a century with its rich orchestral textures and vivid storytelling. A true adventure through music, just in time for the most imaginative time of year.
Handel’s Messiah (November 15, 2025)
This performance of Messiah: Part 1 and the triumphant Hallelujah chorus will transport audiences with its grandeur and spirit. The program begins with William Boyce’s Ode to the New Year 1758, a lively and celebratory work, followed by composer and lost local legend Julia Perry’s Ye Who Seek the Truth. Haydn’s virtuosic Trumpet Concerto, performed by the Akron Symphony’s own Principal Trumpet, Justin Kohan, awaits audiences after intermission. Finally, the Akron Symphony Chorus joins the ASO to deliver the true might of orchestral power necessary for Handel’s Messiah—a piece widely recognized and beloved by audiences. A full stage of choral and orchestral energy awaits audiences this November.
Holiday Pops (December 12, 2025)
Celebrate the season with the Akron Symphony Chorus with the return of this festive concert featuring holiday classics, sing-alongs, and surprises for the whole family. A perfect way to embrace the joy and magic of the holidays! This annual tradition is the perfect outing for the whole family and always sells quickly.
Beethoven’s Seventh (January 17, 2026)
The Akron Symphony begins 2026 with a compelling mix of classical and contemporary works. The world premiere of The University of Akron student Sarah Hegenderfer’s Clearing of Snow sets the stage for a new year with a delightful musical debut. Duke Ellington’s “Martin Luther King” from Three Black Kings—featuring the co-director of the University of Akron’s jazz program, saxophonist Chris Coles—brings a soulful gospel-infused tribute to the stage with the help of full orchestral accompaniment. Headlining the evening is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, a work that pushes orchestras to their limits with the finale, and a second movement so powerful that audiences demanded an encore during its debut. Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, closes the concert with dramatic energy, passion, and the perfect cohesion with Beethoven’s dance-like Seventh Symphony.
Gospel Meets Symphony (February 7, 2026)
The Orchestra’s signature event, Gospel Meets Symphony bridges cultures and traditions with a joyous fusion of symphonic and gospel music. This powerful collaboration between orchestra, choir, rhythm section, and community-based soloists uplifts and inspires in a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Over 30 years and a hundred and forty voices strong—this is more than a concert, it’s an experience!
Mozart & Vivaldi (March 7, 2026)
A night of baroque brilliance and classical charm! The concert opens with the vibrant Fuga con pajarillo, a work that has been described as “J.S. Bach walking into a Latin dance hall,” followed by Stravinsky’s neoclassical Pulcinella Suite, a witty and elegant ballet score. Principal Piccolo Jenny Robinson shines as the soloist in Vivaldi’s beloved Piccolo Concerto in C, and the evening concludes with Mozart’s dramatic and impassioned Symphony No. 40—labeled one of the top twenty best symphonies of all time by BBC Music.
Appalachian Spring (April 11, 2026)
A tribute to nature’s beauty and human resilience, this program features Anna Clyne’s atmospheric Wild Geese, followed by Aaron Copland’s beloved Appalachian Spring, winner of the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for music. A staple of the Martha Graham Dance Company staple to this day, the work evokes American optimism and the beauty of the American frontier, in music that introduced to American audiences the Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts.” The evening’s journey concludes with Sibelius’ powerful Second Symphony, an inspiring work full of soaring grandeur and the freshness of springtime.
Carmina Burana (May 9, 2026)
The grand finale of the season is a force to be reckoned with! Ravel’s hypnotic Bolero builds intensity with its famous repeating melody. The orchestra then proudly unveils the world premiere of a new opening movement to Rhapsody, Concerto for Orchestra by internationally acclaimed composer Margaret Brouwer, Professor Emeritus and former head of composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music. The evening concludes with one of the most universally recognized works in all the repertoire, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, a breathtaking choral and orchestral masterpiece, ensuring a thrilling and unforgettable end to a powerhouse season.
