The South Bend Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-26 season brings you even more live music all throughout the city of South Bend and beyond! Featuring a stunning lineup of concerts that celebrate musical excellence, cultural diversity, world-renowned guest artists, and local collaborations, the 2025-26 Season has music for everyone.
Now in his ninth season, Music Director Alastair Willis says, “I’m thrilled to continue to share the power of live orchestral music with our communities–blockbusters like Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, Carmina Burana, Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony, as well as a film with a live symphony orchestra, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert. We thrive on collaborations–we welcome back renowned cellist Joshua Roman to play Dvořák’s beloved cello concerto, and Anthony McGill to play Malek Jandali’s clarinet concerto. Our season celebrates three recently tenured South Bend Symphony musicians. Our concertmaster, Jameson Cooper, will perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto. Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante will be performed by Aviva Hakanoglu and Nicholas Jeffery, our newly appointed principal second violin and principal viola. We also look forward to featuring local composers, a special Valentine’s Pops with The Bergamot, and our fourth season celebrating Día de los Muertos with our community. We can’t wait to share every moment with you!”
The Shein Trust Community Series kicks off the 2025-26 Season on July 4, 2025, with the annual Salute to Freedom concert, the perfect concert for all ages! The first Jack M. Champaigne Masterworks Series performance, Viva La Música: A Celebration of Latin American Soundscapes, opens the Masterworks Series with a special performance that goes hand in hand with our annual free Shein Trust Community Series Día de los Muertos concert. Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra begins the June H. Edwards Mosaic Series at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
“The South Bend Symphony’s 2025-26 Season brings together world-class artists, powerful music, and cherished traditions,” Sarah Perschbacher, Interim Executive Director, shares. “From Latin rhythms to John Williams and the brilliance of Beethoven, this Season has something for everyone.”
Back by popular demand, the Indiana Trust Pops Series opens with the third installment of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert! This holiday season, the Symphony brings two performances of our beloved Home for the Holidays to the Morris Performing Arts Center with Maestro Alastair Willis conducting. All of that, and so much more, awaits you in the 2025-26 Season!
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra is grateful to its Season sponsors: Jack M. Champaigne, Indiana Trust Wealth Management, Shein Trust, Jordan Lexus of Mishawaka, Victoria Garrett, and The Stscherban Everett Garwood Group Baird Private Wealth Management. In addition, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra acknowledges generous operating support from the Indiana Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts.
JACK M. CHAMPAIGNE MASTERWORKS SERIES presents an exhilarating selection of symphonic masterpieces at the Morris Performing Arts Center.
VIVA LA MÚSICA: A CELEBRATION OF LATIN AMERICAN SOUNDSCAPES
Saturday, November 1, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Copland’s El Salón México, Revueltas’ La Noche de los Mayas bold rhythms, and Moncayo’s Huapango stirring melodies converge into an immersive fusion of sound that celebrates the spirit of Latin America. Westwater Arts brilliantly marries panoramic photography with live classical performances, creating a breathtaking synthesis of visual and musical artistry.
TCHAIKOVSKY’S SYMPHONY NO. 6.
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The Symphony welcomes acclaimed clarinetist Anthony McGill for an emotionally powerful evening featuring Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.
BEETHOVEN’S EROICA
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
South Bend Symphony Concertmaster Jameson Cooper takes center stage as the Symphony presents Beethoven’s Eroica—a revolutionary masterpiece of heroism, resilience, and triumph.
DVOŘÁK’S CELLO CONCERTO
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Cellist Joshua Roman takes center stage to perform Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, a masterful work showcasing the cello’s expressive depth and technical brilliance.
CARMINA BURANA
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The season crescendos with Carmina Burana, a spectacular choral work featuring the South Bend Chamber Singers, Saint Mary’s College Belles Voix, and Notre Dame Glee Club.
THE INDIANA TRUST POPS SERIES consists of three energetic programs:
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN™ IN CONCERT
Saturday, October 25, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 26, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
For two performances, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ™ while the entire film plays in high definition.
LOVE, SOUTH BEND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA + THE BERGAMOT
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Romance is in the air with a special Valentine’s collaboration between the Symphony and indie-folk duo The Bergamot.
CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
The season closes with the music of John Williams with a thrilling evening dedicated to the legendary film composer’s most iconic scores. Music from blockbuster hits such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and so much more!
THE JUNE H. EDWARDS MOSAIC SERIES is a unique, three-concert series that features diverse works in a more intimate setting at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on Sunday afternoons. Highlights of the 2025-26 Season include:
MOZART’S SINFONIA CONCERTANTE FOR VIOLIN, VIOLA, AND ORCHESTRA
Sunday, September 7, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
A stunning display of virtuosity and interplay performed by Aviva Hakanoglu, principal second violin, and Nicholas Jeffery, principal viola.
JENNET PRESENTS: MUSICIAN FAVORITES
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 2:30 p.m.
Oboist Jennet Ingle walks us through the work of Prokofiev the world premiere Oboe Concerto by Kincaid Rabb, and more!
CELEBRATE LOCAL RETURNS
Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2:30 p.m.
Celebrate Local highlights South Bend’s vibrant compositional talent, showcasing works by local composers. Featuring works by John Liberatore, Jorge Muñiz, and Marjorie Rusche.
SHEIN TRUST COMMUNITY SERIES
Special programs that have become a tradition for audiences of all ages across the region!
SALUTE TO FREEDOM
July 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – Free and open to the public
The season kicks off on July 4 with the annual Salute to Freedom concert, a patriotic celebration that honors our nation’s independence with moving American favorites such as American Salute, God Bless America, 1812 Overture, and more.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
November 2, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – Free and open to the public
The Symphony continues its beloved tradition with our annual concert, a vibrant homage to Mexican culture featuring traditional music and dance.
YOUNG PEOPLES DISCOVERY CONCERTS
November 2025
An excellent way to introduce children and young people to the world of classical music and to help foster a lifelong love of the arts. The Shein Family Trust Community Series proudly supports the Young People’s Discovery Concerts. Inquire about how your school can be involved.
SHEIN TRUST FAMILY CONCERT: FIREBIRD AND FRIENDS
November 30, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Join us for a heartwarming conclusion to your Thanksgiving weekend with the annual Shein Trust Family Concert! Gather the whole family for an enchanting musical journey suitable for all ages.
SPECIALS
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 14, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
South Bend’s favorite holiday tradition returns with Maestro Alastair Willis and a choir! A spectacular program of cherished Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes that bring joy to all. The perfect gift for the whole family.
CELEBRATION FOR A KING
January 2026
The Symphony continues to partner with area churches and venues to bring music to the community. The programs will commemorate and celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
SUBSCRIPTIONS / TICKETS
Subscriptions – Discounts, priority seating, and other exclusive benefits are available to season subscribers.
South Bend Symphony Office
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
574-232-6343
www.southbendsymphony.org
Single Tickets – Please note single tickets are ONLY available directly from the venue and start at $24. Single tickets go on sale to the public on July 21, 2025.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ™ in Concert single tickets are on sale to the public on July 1.
Morris Performing Arts Center Box Office
Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
Thursday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
574-235-9190
www.morriscenter.org
DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Ticket Office
Hours: Monday – Friday, Noon to 6 p.m.
574-631-2800
www.performingarts.nd.edu
Dates, programs, and venues are subject to change.
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About the South Bend Symphony Orchestra
The South Bend Symphony inspires, entertains, and connects the community with the transformative power of orchestral music. Producing more than 20 mainstage programs each year and nearly 70 smaller ensemble concerts, the Symphony serves more than 29,000 attendees annually. As the region’s only professional orchestra, the Symphony is committed to fostering a robust, connected arts community in service to the greater Michiana region.
In addition to being recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other state and local arts funding organizations, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra is the recipient of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence, which recognizes the best-run nonprofit organization in St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Learn more about the South Bend Symphony Orchestra at www.southbendsymphony.org.