The Jacksonville Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season, themed “Above and Beyond.” Building on the momentum of its milestone 75th anniversary, the symphony’s new season, led by Music Director Courtney Lewis, is filled with electrifying collaborations, bold guest artists and a vibrant tribute to American music in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
The Florida Blue Classical Series
The Florida Blue Classical Series offers a mix of timeless masterpieces and thrilling discoveries.
Highlights include programs with Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” in its original 13-piece instrumentation and his “Lincoln Portrait” (Nov. 7 and 8), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos in E-flat major featuring Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung (March 6 and 7) and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 paired with a jazz-infused commission by Duke Ellington and a world premiere by composer Anna Clyne (April 24 and 25).
Guest artists include contralto Avery Amereau (Dec. 19 and 20), the dynamic Junction Trio: Conrad Tao, Stefan Jackiw and Jay Campbell (May 15 and 16) and pianist Joyce Yang (June 5 and 6).
Other classical standouts: Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp featuring retiring Principal Flute Les Roettges (Oct. 17 and 18), Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” Symphonic Dances (Feb. 13 and 14) and recent compositions from Carlos Simon, Tarik O’Regan and Joel Thompson throughout the season.
The Terry Family Foundation Pops Series
The symphony brings the music of Broadway, pop, country and rock legends to symphonic life.
From “The Billy Joel Songbook” (Oct. 3 and 4) and “The Music of Elton John” (May 29 and 30) to “Rodgers, Hart & Hammerstein” (Feb. 20 and 21) and Chicken-Fried Rock (May 8 and 9), audiences will hear chart-toppers reimagined with full orchestral power and award-winning vocalists — such as N’Kenge for “Motown Meets Rock” (March 13 and 14).
Additional highlights include: “Bewitched Broadway: Wicked, Phantom, Little Shop & More” (Oct. 24 and 25); “John Williams’ America,” a moving tribute to the legendary film composer’s most patriotic works (Jan. 9 and 10); a Valentine-ready “Silly Love Songs” (Jan. 30 and 31) and “Twist & Shout: The Music of The Beatles” (April 17 and 18).
Symphonic Night at the Movies Series
Film lovers can experience their favorite blockbusters like never before in the Symphonic Night at the Movies Series, which returns with Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live-to-Film” (Nov. 21 and 22), “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert” (Jan. 23 and 24) and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert” (May 1 and 2).
Holidays and Specials
The symphony continues its annual holiday programming with “Holiday Pops” (Dec. 4-7), “First Coast Nutcracker” presented by VyStar Credit Union (Dec. 12-14) and Handel’s “Messiah” (Dec. 13 and 14).
Returning from last year will be the popular “Holiday Brass, Organ & Percussion” (Nov. 15) and “Holiday Big Band” (Dec. 21). The season also welcomes the return of opera to Jacoby Symphony Hall with a visually immersive production of Puccini’s “Tosca,” directed by Gregory Keller (April 10 and 12).
Additional specials include “Video Games Live” (Sept. 19), “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony” (Oct. 11) and the patriotic spectacular “America in Concert: 250 Years of Music & Majesty” (Nov. 16).
Coffee & Symphony in 60 Series
Morning concerts in the Coffee Series provide relaxed, shortened versions of seasonal favorites and symphonic gems, while the casual, one-hour Symphony in 60 Series supported by PNC offers music lovers a weeknight musical escape. A few of the programs include “Haunted Film Scores” (Oct. 30 and 31), “Percussion Panorama” (March 19 and 20) and “At the Ballet” (May 21 and 22).
The JP Morgan Chase Jazz Series
This series continues to grow, with concerts curated by the Jacksonville Symphony’s Principal Tuba James Jenkins. The series features tributes to jazz legends and local greats alike, including a Jazz Guitar Quartet (Sept. 20) and “Miles Davis at 100” (April 19).
Concert Organ Series
The Concert Organ Series, sponsored by JF Bryan, brings the majestic Bryan Concert Organ to the forefront in three performances with Jacksonville favorite Greg Zelek with “Holiday Brass, Organ & Percussion” (Nov. 15), Organ Chamber Music (Jan. 3) and “Greg Zelek in Concert” (May 7).
Greta Challen Berg Artist Series
Ten of the season’s concerts fall into the Greta Challen Berg Artist Series, a series in honor of one of the original incorporators of the Jacksonville Symphony Association charter, Greta Challen Berg.
As a lifelong arts enthusiast, she spent decades fostering a community in Jacksonville where music could flourish and her legacy continues today through this curated series. Each concert chosen displays world-class talent and celebrates her unwavering dedication to the cultural vitality of the region.
Season subscriptions and Create Your Own packages are now on sale, offering up to 20% savings and first access to premium seats. Single tickets will be available on July 10.
To explore the full season and ticket options, go to JaxSymphony.org or call the symphony box office at 904-354-5547.
