OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Get ready for another melodious season with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s (OSO) 2024-2025 season concerts are now available for the public to purchase tickets. The season includes six subscription concerts and six special events, including multimedia performances and renowned soloists led by Maestro Matthew Wardell. Tickets can be bought at OSO’s website, or by calling 352-351-1606 and are priced between $15 to $58 for adults and $10 for students.
The opening weekend concert, “Fate, Goblins and the Mothership,” will be held on Oct. 19 and 20, 2024, at the Reilly Arts Center. The performance will feature Mason Bates’ Mothership, Dvořák’s Water Goblin, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.
Maestro Matthew Wardell expressed excitement about the upcoming season, highlighting collaborations between the orchestra, the Ocala Symphony Chorus, the College of Centra Florida’s Patriot Singers, and soloists. Notable performances include Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and the “Messiah Sing Along,” offering a chance for community participation.
“This season embodies our commitment to showcasing the transformative power of music, featuring both the celebrated classics and the innovative new. Each concert is an invitation to explore the depths of human emotion, the heights of artistic achievement, and the communal spirit of music-making,” says Wardell. “Join us at the Reilly Arts Center for this spectacular season. Whether you’re a lifelong orchestra enthusiast or a curious newcomer, there’s something in this season for you. Together, let’s make memories that will last a lifetime.”
To enjoy the full season, consider purchasing a season subscription by Oct. 19. Subscribers can save up to 42% on tickets, receive priority seating, free exchanges, and exclusive perks.
For more details on season subscriptions, important dates, and individual concert tickets, please visit the Reilly Arts Center’s website.
The OSO shares its season with the 352:
2024-2025 Ocala Symphony Orchestra Subscription Concerts
Fate, Goblins, and the Mothership
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 – 3:00 p.m.
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 – 7 p.m.
Dive into an electrifying program of music that spans from the cosmos to the depths of mythical waters and the impassioned human heart. Take off with Mason Bates’ Mothership, a vibrant, pulsating piece that invites you on a thrilling interstellar journey combining electronica with the orchestra. The adventure continues with Dvořák’s Water Goblin, a captivating piece that weaves a tale of love, tragedy, and a supernatural world beneath the waves, holding you spellbound while you follow along with the story via supertitles above the orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s powerful, fate filled Symphony No. 4 rounds out this performance you won’t want to miss!
Sponsored by Roberts of Ocala Funerals and Cremations and Empath Home Health and Hospice of Marion County
Pops! Goes the Holidays
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 – 7:30 p.m.| Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 – 3:00 p.m.
Featuring your favorite music from Mannheim Steamroller, Home Alone, the Nutcracker and more, you do not want to miss this celebration of the holiday season that brings together the incredible musicians of the orchestra and the outstanding vocalists from the Ocala Symphony Choir! This annually sold-out performance for all is full of fun, humor, and pure admiration for this special time of the year!
Sponsored by On Top of the World Communities
Vive la France!
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 – 7 p.m.
Ooh La La! Prepare to be whisked away by the OSO’s principal guest conductor, Raymond Chobaz, on a sublime musical journey to France. Experience Debussy’s ethereal Trois Nocturnes and the exotic rhythms of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Africa with the renowned Kevin Sharpe on piano. Continue your adventure with the OSO’s virtuosic concertmaster Stewart Kitts playing Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and finally your trip will culminate in the lush, romantic landscapes of Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 and the Ocala Symphony Chorus.
Sponsored by Directions Luxury Travel and Sonya Nasser, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and La Cuisine
Sound and Fury
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 – 7 p.m.
Embark on a mesmerizing journey from the serene Scottish coasts to the depths of human emotion and the heights of heroic triumph. We set off with Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture before delving into the contemporary narrative and emotion of Anna Clyne’s Sound and Fury, featuring the captivating presence of Ocala Civic Theatre Artistic Director, Greg Thompson. Finally, the tour ascends to its zenith with Beethoven’s monumental “Eroica” Symphony, a profound ode to heroism and human resilience.
Sponsored by AdventHealth Ocala
Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis
Saturday, March 8, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 9, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, March 7, 2025 – 7 p.m.
Join us for an exhilarating evening of music and talent, featuring performances by two exceptional young concerto competition winners. The night will showcase the playful mischief of Richard Strauss’s “Till Eulenspiegel,” a musical romp that captures the adventures of the legendary German trickster with thrilling orchestration. The program continues with Paul Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber,” a masterpiece of transformation that weaves Weber’s melodies into a rich tapestry of modern sound. This concert promises a blend of youthful virtuosity and orchestral majesty, making it a must-see event for music lovers of all ages.
Sponsored by Naaz & Azim Saju, ARK Hospitality, and Duke Energy
The West meets Scheherazade (and Godzilla, too)
Saturday, April 12, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
Open Rehearsal (free to the public): Friday, April 11, 2025 – 7 p.m.
Experience the grand finale of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s 49th season, a spectacular concert that promises an unforgettable blend of humor, fantasy, and exotic tales. We’ll begin with Michael Daugherty’s “Rio Grande,” a vibrant work that captures the spirit, breadth, and energy of that great river. We’ll get a purview glimpse at the emotional world of Scheherazade, told through the lens of her perspective in Leanna Primiani’s 1,001. Then, steel yourselves as Eric Whitacre’s Godzilla Eats Las Vegas takes the stage, featuring Joshua Mazur and the Ocala Symphony Chorus in a playful depiction of the iconic monster on a romp through Sin City. After intermission the orchestra will transport you to the magical world of Scheherazade. In Rimsky-Korsakov’s four captivating movements, you’ll sail with Sinbad, venture with the Kalendar Prince, and fall in love with the Young Prince and Princess, culminating in the dramatic Festival at Baghdad. Don’t miss this thrilling conclusion to the season, where music brings legends to life!
Sponsored by The Lilac Foundation
Special Concerts
METROPOLIS: Silent Film + Orchestra
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 – 7:30 p.m.
The Ocala Symphony continues its tradition of performing live with film in concert: Fritz Lang’s classic science fiction drama, Metropolis. Experience one of cinema’s most captivating and influential masterpieces as the Maestro Wardell and the OSO perform Brian Satterwhite’s brilliant soundtrack live to the action on screen. The orchestra will screen Giorgio Moroder’s remastered and truncated version of the film (1984), which is suitable for audiences of all ages. Do not miss this one-time-only special performance!
Messiah Community Sing-Along
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 – 5:00 p.m.
Hallelujah! Join us for a heartwarming afternoon of communal joy and musical splendor at our inaugural Handel’s Messiah Community sing-along! Whether you’re a seasoned singer, an enthusiastic newcomer, or a listener who simply wishes to bask in the harmonious atmosphere of 100s of voices, this sing-along offers a place for you. Under the guidance of our beloved choir conductor, Joshua Mazur, and accompanied by a professional orchestra and soloists, we’ll navigate the majestic “Hallelujah” chorus and many more beloved selections from Messiah. No previous experience is required, and participation in the singing is entirely optional. Join us in making this year’s Handel’s Messiah Community sing-along an uplifting ode to community, music, and the holiday spirit!
Sponsored by AdventHealth Ocala
Symphony Under the Lights
Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 – 7:30 p.m.
Free Admission
Hot chocolate, family, friends, and festive music! What more could one ask for? The Ocala Symphony and members of the Ocala Youth Symphony bring this joyful annual free concert to the community under the incredible oaks of Tuscawilla Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy!
Sponsored by Jenkins Auto Group and the City of Ocala
Young Artist Competition Finals
Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
This special recital performance features the finalists from our 34th annual Young Artist Competition. These talented young musicians, from our junior and senior divisions, take the stage to perform their concerto with a pianist for a live audience. The winners will be selected live immediately following the performance and will go on to perform as soloists with the full Ocala Symphony at “Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis” on March 8 and 9, 2025.
Sponsored by Duke Energy
Opera at the Reilly: Puccini Love and Laughter!
Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
The University of Florida Opera Theatre and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra present two of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest works. The heartfelt Suor Angelica with its soaring orchestral score is one of his most beautiful musical dramas and reminiscent of the passionate Tosca. The hilarious Gianni Schicchi, his only true comedy, will be sung in a modern English translation with plenty of charming local references. It features one of the world’s most beloved songs, O mio babbino caro. Join these wonderful upcoming opera stars and the talented musicians of the OSO for a matinee of marvelous masterpieces. You don’t want to miss it! Both pieces are one act operas with supertitles and a two-hour running time.
Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
Sunday, March 30, 2025 – 3:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the monumental grandeur of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a towering masterpiece that continues to inspire and move audiences around the world. Under the baton of our dynamic Matthew Wardell, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra with the College of Central Florida Patriot Singers and Ocala Symphony Chorus, led by the talented Joshua Mazur, will join forces with four world-class soloists to bring this epic work to life. The concert will open with the stirring strains of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, setting the stage for an evening of dramatic intensity and emotional depth. The highlight of the afternoon, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, stands as a towering testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Known for its groundbreaking inclusion of vocal soloists and a chorus in the final movement, the symphony culminates in the exhilarating “Ode to Joy,” a universal anthem of hope and brotherhood.