Opening night for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 season is still two months away, but you won’t have to wait until September to get your fix. Springfield’s most talented classic musicians will take the stage with the legendary Ozark Mountain Daredevils at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 in Branson.
It’s the second consecutive year the Springfield Symphony Orchestra has teamed up with the Daredevils. This year’s show will be held at the Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts. Audience members can expect to hear some of the Daredevils’ classics, like “Jackie Blue,” with a full-orchestra twist.
“It’s so exciting to be hitting the stage together with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils yet again,” Jennifer Cotner-Jones, executive director for the symphony, said in a press release. “We had such an immaculate response last year and knew we had to give this collaboration an encore. The evening will have a vastly different feel than a lot of what we play during our season, so it is a fun opportunity for not only our audiences but our musicians as well.”
Tickets for the concert are $45 and $60 and can be purchased through the Mansion Theatre’s website, by calling 417-335-2000, or by visiting the Mansion Theatre’s box office. VIP seating is available for $85.
Symphony announces plans for 89th season
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 89th season Sept. 16 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. This season’s theme is #FOMO, an acronym for “fear of missing out.”
“This season is all about inviting our whole community back to the hall for once-in-a-lifetime concerts,” Kyle Wiley Pickett, the symphony’s music director, said in a press release. “Audience members will get to experience highly requested favorites and renowned guest artists like Jon Nakamatsu and Denson Paul Pollard who are widely known as some of the best in the business. Each concert will have something you don’t want to miss out on and that’s why this season is all about #FOMO.”
There are nine shows scheduled for the season, which wraps up May 11, 2024. All concerts will be performed at Hammons Hall. They are:
- Sept. 16: #OpeningNight
- Oct. 7: #Rivers
- Nov. 11: #BritishInvasion
- Dec. 9: #MostWonderfulTime
- Jan. 13, 2024: #RomanticVibes
- Feb. 10, 2024: #SpaceExplorer
- March 2, 2024: #ItalyTravel
- April 6, 2024: #UnfinishedBusiness
- May 11, 2024: #CowboyLife
Each concert will feature an immersive atmosphere, with multimedia and special guests. Patrons can follow along with an interactive passbook that will be stamped at each concert they attend.
“Experience Beatlemania at #BritishInvasion with The Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles; explore the waterways in #Rivers, where we will take (a) journey with music inspired by water; and even explore the galaxy in #SpaceExplorer, featuring Holst’s ‘The Planets’ and astrophotography by (Pickett) himself,” the press release reads.
Call the Springfield Symphony Orchestra office at 417-864-6683 or email seasontickets@springfieldmosymphony.org with season ticket inquiries. Visit the Springfield Symphony website for more information on the upcoming season.
Auditions for the Symphony slated for late August
Perhaps you’d prefer to participate in Springfield Symphony Orchestra performances? The organization is having auditions for several positions in the 2023-2024 performance season:
- Principal Violin 2
- Assistant Principal Violin 2
- Section Violin 2
- Assistant Principal Viola
- Principal Cello (1-year position)
- Section Cello
- Assistant Principal Bass
- Section Bass (2 positions)
- 3rd Flute/Piccolo
- 3rd Trombone/Bass Trombone
- Principal Timpani
String auditions are set for the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 29. Woodwind, brass and percussion auditions are the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 30.
To receive an audition packet and secure an audition time, send a one-page resume and $25 refundable deposit via credit card no later than Aug. 25 to operationsmanager@springfieldsymphony.org. Candidates will receive their full deposit back upon arrival at the audition, or if cancellation is received one week prior to the audition date. The audition committee of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra reserves the right to dismiss any candidate’s resume that does not meet the qualified standards.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a per-service orchestra, with approximately 40 services available each season. Mileage and lodging are provided when applicable.
Auditions for substitute positions will be available Aug. 29 and 30. Candidates will secure an audition time for the date corresponding to their instrument group. Substitute candidates may choose to send an uncut recorded video of audition materials at any time during the year for on-call consideration.
For more information on auditions, email the operations manager.
