× SHINING START - A lustrious lineup sets the stage for brilliance. 10/12/19 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall

Leos Janáček - "Sinfonietta" 23:00 Johann Strauss, Jr. - "On the Beautiful Blue Danube* 9:00 Jean Sibelius - "Finlandia", Op. 26* 8:00 INTERMISSION Peter Llyich Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 35:00 William Hagen, violin (*performed at first MSO concert Thursday, October 19, 1944 in the Victory Room of the Heidelberg Hotel, Theodore Russell, Conductor).

A sparkling diamond anniversary opener heralds MSO's 75th season with a blast -- from at least 25 brass players joining the orchestra onstage in the festive "Sinfonietta". What follows are blasts from the past in stellar selections from our first concert in 1944. To close: young violinist William Hagen dazzles in Tchaikovsky's beloved concerto.

× ARETHA: A TRIBUTE - a toast to the Queen of Soul. 10/26/19 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall

Hop on the freeway of love with symphony favorite Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy nominee, vocalist Ryan Shaw as they honor the great diva, Aretha Franklin with iconic hits like "Respect", "Think", "A Natural Woman", "Chain of Fools", and many more!

× NATURAL SHOWCASE - landscapes & soundscapes to delight. 11/23/19 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall

Benjamin Britten - "Four Sea Interludes" from Peter Grimes 16:00 Canyonlands - Images by Westwater Arts Johann Sebastian Bach - "Air" from Orchestral Suite No. 3 5:00 Gabriel Fauré - "Pavanne" 5:00 David Diamond - Adagio from "Rounds for String Orchestra" 5:00 Edward Elgar - "Sospiri", Op. 70 5:00 INTERMISSION Missy Mazzoli - "River Rouge Transfiguration" 10:00 "Rodeo" - Images by Westwater Arts Aaron Copland - Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo" 18:00 "Buckaroo Holiday" "Corral Nocturne" "Saturday Night Waltz" "Hoedown"

Treat the eyes, as well as the ears to an engaging adventure, as Westwater Arts' evocative panoramas of the American West are choreographed to the symphonic splendor of Bach, Elgar, Copland and more. Benjamin Britten's "Sea Interludes" from "Peter Grimes" and Missy Mazzoli's "River Rouge Transformation", further enhance the nature theme.

× A NIGHT IN VIENNA - a heavenly voice & soul-stirring music. 1/11/20 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall

Richard Strauss - "Four Last Songs" 21:00 Erin Wall, soprano INTERMISSION Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 4 in G Major 63:00 Erin Wall, soprano

Leading soprano Erin Wall, acclaimed for her musicality and versatility, gives voice to this blockbuster evening of Vienna's best, from the beautiful and introspective appeal of Strauss' "Four Last Songs", to the deeply moving lure of Mahler's 4th Symphony.

× MOZART BY CANDLELIGHT - beautiful music in candles' warm glow. 1/25/20 @ 7:30pm, Belhaven University Center for the Arts

Overture to "Idomeneo" 5:00 Symphony No. 20 in D, K. 133 16:00 Concerto for Horn No. 3 in Eb, K. 447 14:00 Mimi Linehan, horn INTERMISSION Five Contredances, K. 609 "Non più andrai" 7:00 "Symphony No. 39" in Eb, K. 543 29:00

MSO's popular annual program warms a winter evening with candles by the hundreds and artistry by the orchestra, including Principal Horn, Mimi Linehan performing Mozart's 3rd horn concerto.

× STAR WARS - an epic evening of movie magic. 2/1/20 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall

Return to a galaxy far, far away on a glorious wave of John Williams' genius. Selections from nine films power the night's tribute to moviedom's most successful sci-fi saga.

× BEST AND BRIGHTEST - a dynamic night of piano brilliance. 2/22/20 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall

Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 in Eb Major, Op. 73 "The Emperor" 38:00 Anton Nel, piano INTERMISSION Antonin Dvořák - Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88 36:00

Beethoven's 5th piano concerto, revolutionary in its day and popularly known as "The Emperor", is a virtuosic showcase for international pianist and acclaimed Beethoven interpreter, Anton Nel. Dvořák's inviting 8th Symphony ends the evening on a sparkling high note.

× SPRING DELIGHT - the return of a favorite son. 3/7/20 @ 7:30pm, Millsaps College Ford Academic Complex

Christoph Willibald Gluck - Overture to "Orfeo ed Euridice" 4:00 Christoph Willibald Gluck - Dance of the Furies from "Orfeo ed Euridice" 5:00 Kermit Poling - "Concierto De Chiaro" 26:00 INTERMISSION Sam Watson - Elegy 10:00 *In recognition of the 21st Anniversary of the Pearl High School Shootings Premiere Performance.

Franz Schubert - Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759 "Unfinished"* 25:00

(*performed at the first concert by the MSO Thursday, October 19, 1944 in the Victory Room of the Heidleberg Hotel, Theodore Russell, Conductor).

This concert is a warm welcome home for young conductor William Garfield Walker, whose Jackson and MSO roots branched into an international career. He'll guest conduct the evening's closing piece: Schubert's famous Unfinished Symphony. There's so much more on the lineup, including classical guitarist Giovanni De Chiaro performing a concerto written for him.

× ODE TO JOY - 3/28/20 @ 7:30pm, Thalia Mara Hall. featuring solosists and choirs of Jackson State University, Mississippi College, The Mississippi Chorus & Tougaloo College Othalie Graham, soprano Christin-Marie Hill, mezzo soprano John Pickle, tenor Luis Ledesma, baritone

Arvo Pärt - "Fratres" 16:00 INTERMISSION Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" 64:00

Four national soloists and four local choirs - two hundred voices onstage - wrap up the diamond anniversary Bravo Series with a unifying bow. The artistic excellence and community connection of Arvo Pärt's minimalist masterpiece "Fratres", and the driving force of Beethoven's earth-shattering 9th symphony are unsurpassed.

× CONCERT IN THE CHAPEL - elegant music in a setting to suit. 4/4/20 @ 7:30pm, Tougaloo College Woodworth Chapel

Igor Stravinsky - "Pastorale" 4:00 Lynda Naef, English horn Ken Graves, clarinet Jon Wenberg, bassoon Maurice Ravel - "Trois Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé" 12:00 Viola Dacus, mezzo soprano Igor Stravinsky - "Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet" 4:00 Ken Graves, clarinet Maurice Ravel - Introduction and Allegro 11:00 INTERMISSION Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartet No. 7 in F, Op. 59, No. 1 "Razumovsky" 40:00 Marta Szlubowska, violin Vince Massimino, violin Ausra Jasineviciute, viola Veronica Parrales, cello

The chapel's ambiance and acoustics are only part of the allure for this must-hear concert of Stravinsky, Ravel and Beethoven, in a program that showcases MSO String Quartet, MSO clarinetist Ken Graves, and guest soprano Viola Dacus.

× PEPSI POPS: A Blast in the Park 5/8/20 @ 7:30pm - Old Trace Park, The Rez

This annual all-ages treat, from date night to a fun family outing, combines the beautiful view of bobbing boats and a spring sunset with the charming sounds of pops, patriotic, screen and stage favorites. Don't forget the fireworks, food vendors, kids' playground & more!

(No alcohol or glass in the park; Gates open at 4:30pm.)