Witness the South Bend Symphony's talented Woodwind Quintet take the stage in Leighton Auditorium! Young music lovers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with five remarkable instruments: the flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon. These five professional musicians will share stories about their instruments and demonstrate how these five voices blend together to create a rich tapestry of sound. All ages welcome – musical experience not required, just an open heart and curious ears! Listen + Learn is presented by the South Bend Symphony Orchestra’s Shein Trust Community Series.

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Join the South Bend Symphony’s Brass Quintet at the Saint Joseph County Public Library as they transform the cozy corner of The Story House into a family-friendly concert hall where melodies dance through the air and dreams come alive through song.Young music lovers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with four remarkable brass instruments: the trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba. The Symphony’s professional musicians will share stories about their instruments and demonstrate how these five voices blend together to create a rich tapestry of sound.This special performance is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Shein Trust Community Series, whose commitment to bringing high-quality arts experiences to our community ensures that these magical musical moments remain accessible to all families!

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Richard Strauss’s Tod und Verklärung opens the concert with a powerful meditation on life, death, and transcendence. Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana erupts with driving rhythm, unforgettable melodies, and the combined force of Saint Mary's College Belles Voix, South Bend Chamber Singers (with Dr. Nancy Menk directing), the Notre Dame Glee Club, Notre Dame Chorale, and the Notre Dame Children's Choir. Alastair Willis, conductor St. Mary’s College Belles Voix South Bend Chamber Singers Dr. Nancy Menk, director Notre Dame Chorale Notre Dame Glee Club Notre Dame Children's Choir   Program RICHARD STRAUSS Tod und Verklärung — Intermission — CARL ORFF Carmina Burana I. O Fortuna, velut Luna II. Fortune plango vulnera III. Ecce gratum IV. Tanz-Uf dem anger V. Floret silva VI. Were diu werlt alle min VII. Amor volat undique VIII. Ego sum abbas IX. In taberna quando sumus X. In trutina XI. Dulcissime XII. Ave formosissima XIII. Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi   Program Notes Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration) Richard Strauss Born: June 11, 1864, Munich, Germany Died: September 8, 1949, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany Composed: 1888–89 Premiered: June 21, 1890, Eisenach, Germany, conducted by Richard Strauss Duration: 25 minutes Richard Strauss was just 25 when he composed Tod und Verklärung, yet the tone poem grapples with one of the most profound human experiences: the transition from life to death, and the idea of spiritual transfiguration beyond the mortal realm. The work reflects Strauss’s fascination with narrative in music, as well as his deepening command of orchestral color and emotional pacing. The piece unfolds in a single continuous movement but is often described in four distinct sections: the dying man’s illness, his life flashing before him, the moment of death, and his transfiguration. It opens with hushed, irregular “heartbeats” in the low strings and a plaintive oboe line, painting the quiet agony of a man on his deathbed. This leads to more vigorous music as memories of ...

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Join us at the main branch of the St. Joe County Public Library for a “Tales + Tunes” interactive activity in The Story House at no cost! Learn how to be a conductor! Through a musical story, learn basic conducting patterns and how Maestro Willis leads the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. Conducting will be led by the Symphony staff. Craft included and recommended for ages 10 and under.   Tales + Tunes with the Symphony is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Shein Trust Community Series.

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Join the South Bend Symphony’s Wind Quintet at the Saint Joseph County Public Library as they transform the cozy corner of The Story House into a family-friendly concert hall where melodies dance through the air and dreams come alive through song. Young music lovers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with five remarkable instruments: the flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon. These five professional musicians will share stories about their instruments and demonstrate how these five voices blend together to create a rich tapestry of sound. This special performance is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Shein Trust Community Series, whose commitment to bringing high-quality arts experiences to our community ensures that these magical musical moments remain accessible to all families!

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Prepare for an unforgettable night of magic as the South Bend Symphony brings John Williams’ most iconic film scores to life! From the heroic strains of the “Superman March” to the awe-inspiring wonder of Jurassic Park, this concert celebrates the music that has defined generations of moviegoers. Test your knowledge with a fun “How Well Do You Know Your Star Wars Movies?” challenge live from the stage. It’s an epic evening for film lovers and families alike, where the power of the orchestra meets the magic of the movies. Save your seats now and bring the whole family!   Meet the Musicians Here!

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Octet is a unique, immersive experience offering visitors the chance to get closer to orchestral music than ever before. The project, a collaboration with the Riverlights Music Festival, aims to recreate the feeling of being in an orchestra by situating the listener within a three-dimensional soundscape.

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