All Concerts | South Bend Symphony Orchestra

Salute To Freedom

July 4, 2025 / 7:30 p.m.

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 with guest soloist Jennie Sophia and guest narrator Muffet McGraw, former Notre Dame women's basketball coach! This concert is free and open to the public! Tickets are required. Program Coming Soon Patron Firework Show Viewing Info After the concert, patrons are welcome to enjoy the City’s fireworks display, scheduled to begin between 9:30 and 9:40 p.m. Please keep in mind the following: Fireworks will be launched from the piers below Plaza Park. Due to nearby buildings, fireworks will not be visible from directly outside the Morris. Recommended viewing areas include: • The Colfax Bridge sidewalk • MLK Drive below Jon Hunt Plaza • Howard Park • Seitz Park Traffic & Safety: To ensure public safety, the Jefferson Street bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9:00–10:30 p.m. Patrons should use designated walkways to safely access the viewing areas. ***Please note that the Symphony is not directly involved in the fireworks planning or schedule.*** About Jennie Sophia Jennie Sophia is thrilled to be joining SBSO for the Salute to Freedom concert. She has portrayed many iconic musical-theater heroines and sung in various concerts across the Midwest, from Fiona/Brigadoon (Goodman Theatre) and Nellie Forbush/South Pacific (Broadway national tour, also Ogunquit Playhouse) to Fantine/Les Misérables (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Laurey/Oklahoma! (Marriott Lincolnshire), Mrs. Potts/Beauty and The Beast (Paramount Theater), Guinevere/Camelot (Light Opera Works), and Lily/The Secret Garden (Court Theatre). At the Lyric Opera, she played Olga/The Merry Widow, starring Renee Fleming. At the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, she played Mistress/Passion. Jennie grew up in Goshen, IN, where she began her performance career at various regional theaters and concert venues. Among her leading roles at Wagon Wheel Theatre have been Maria/The Sound of Music, Madge/Picnic, Laurey/ Oklahoma!, Cinderella/Cinderella, and Hope Harcourt/Anything Goes!. ...

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The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County presents The Chris Wilson Community Play-Along Concert

August 17 / 6:00 p.m.

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County presents the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chris Wilson Community Play-Along Concert, at the Chris Wilson Pavilion in South Bend’s Potawatomi Park on Sunday, August 17 at 6:00 p.m. This concert is free, open to the public, and designed for all ages. The audience will enjoy a dynamic selection of classical favorites, including Bach’s serene “Sheep May Safely Graze,” Tchaikovsky’s festive “Nutcracker March of the Tin Soldiers,” Wagner’s powerful “Ride of the Valkyries,” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” as part of the Play-Along. Listen online at WVPE-FM 88.1 at 6 p.m. to enjoy the simulcast of the performance here! In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to Adams High School Auditorium. Program TBD Play-Along Details During this year’s Play-Along portion of the concert, community members will be able to perform Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture under the baton of Music Director, Alastair Willis. This FREE opportunity is open to community musicians of all ages and playing levels who would like to perform exciting orchestral works with a professional symphony! [button label="Play-Along Sign Up!" link="https://forms.monday.com/forms/983e921e18933027dcf8c4b1967347c5?r=use1" color="primary"] Please note: Community musicians must commit to two mandatory rehearsals and complete an online registration form to participate in the Play-Along Concert. Rehearsal Schedule: Saturday, August 16, from 1–3 p.m. in the Auditorium at John Adams High School (808 S. Twyckenham Dr, South Bend, IN 46615) Sunday, August 17, from 3–4 p.m. at the Chris Wilson Pavilion at Potawatomi Park (2105 E. Mishawaka Ave, South Bend, IN 46615) Registration opens June 1 and musicians are encouraged to register by August 11! All orchestral parts for the Play-Along will be available to download upon registration.

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