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A Community Gift and Dream — for the Love of Music
Venue: Overture Hall
Saturday, June 13th, 2026
FREE Events in Overture Center
*More schedule to come later
Sunday, June 14th, 2026
Concert: 4:00 p.m.
*More schedule to come later
Tickets: FREE
Centennial Festival Weekend
Following the conclusion of our 25/26 subscription season, join us for “A Community Gift and Dream — for the Love of Music” June 13-14, 2026.
During this free, two-day festival celebration, MSO musicians and diverse community groups will perform on a rotating schedule throughout Overture Center for the Arts. Main stage performances include a Family Concert and an Overture Concert Organ performance on Saturday, and a Madison Symphony Orchestra concert on Sunday. The Sunday concert features some of the “greatest hits” of classical music and a special appearance by Julian Rhee, winner of the 2017 Bolz Young Artist Competition who is now one of the top violinists in the world. This will be the final concert Maestro John DeMain conducts as our Music Director.
All performances will be presented free-of-charge to the public — a gift to the city of Madison and surrounding areas for their support of the MSO now and into the future.
Saturday, June 13th
Stay tuned for updates about featured performers, presentations, and groups that will be appearing Saturday here!
Sunday, June 14th
Stay tuned for updates about featured performers, presentations, and groups that will be appearing Sunday here!
Free Concert at 4:00 pm
Featuring
John DeMain, Conductor
Julian Rhee, Violin
Madison Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
Music
Dmitri Shostakovich, Festive Overture, Op. 96
Pablo de Sarasate, Fantasy on Bizet’s “Carmen,” Op. 25
George Gershwin, An American in Paris
Gustav Holst, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter from The Planets, op. 32
Ludwig van Beethoven, Finale from Symphony No. 9, op. 125, D minor
Enhance your Concert Experience!
Take Note: Drinks Allowed in Overture Hall
Please take note that drinks are allowed inside Overture Hall during all Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts. You may pre-order food and drink to be picked up in the lobby, or order at bars and concession stands located around the Overture Hall lobby before each concert and during intermission. Please enjoy food in the lobby and unwrap any candy or cough drops before the performance begins. Thank you!
“Sophisticated, assured tone, superb intonation, and the kind of poise and showmanship that thrills audiences.” –The Strad
“Such a wide variety of music, splendidly performed. I could have stayed in my seat and heard the concert a second time.” –MSO Patron
Meet the Artists
John DeMain, Conductor
Julian Rhee, Violin
Madison Symphony Chorus
Beverly Taylor, Director
Winner of the prestigious 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Korean American violinist Julian Rhee came to international prominence following his prize winning performances at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition and the Silver Medal at the 11th Quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.
Rhee has appeared with the Milwaukee Symphony, Belgian National Orchestra, Antwerp Symphony, Württemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn, Indianapolis Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and San Diego Symphony alongside Francesco Lecce-Chong, Valentina Peleggi, Rune Bergmann, Antony Hermus and Leonard Slatkin, among others.
Equally passionate about chamber music, Rhee is the newest member of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s prestigious Bowers Program. He has performed at and attended festivals including the Ravinia Steans Institute, Marlboro Music, and NorthShore Chamber Music Festival, performing alongside esteemed musicians such as Vadim Gluzman, Jonathan Biss, and Mitsuko Uchida.
Rhee received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as teaching assistant of Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory, and currently studies with Christian Tetzlaff at the Kronberg Academy.
Rhee is the recipient of the outstanding 1699 “Lady Tennant” Antonio Stradivari violin and Jean Pierre Marie Persoit bow on extended loan through the generosity of the Mary B. Galvin Foundation and the Stradivari Society.