This Month at the Madison Symphony…
Empire Brass Celebration
Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Join us Thursday evening to experience the final Organ series program that features highlights from the group Empire Brass along with MSO’s principal organist Greg Zelek. You will get a chance to hear famous recordings and ground-breaking repertoire for both brass and organ, including the world premiere of Mark Hetzler‘s newly-commissioned work to celebrate the 20th of the Overture Concert Organ.
Event Details
Location: Overture Hall
Tickets: $25-$50
Featuring
Greg Zelek, Organ
Empire Brass
Marc Reese, Trumpet
Derek Lockhart, Trumpet
Gregory Miller, Horn
Mark Hetzler, Trombone
Kenneth Amis, Tuba
Matt Endres, Percussion
Yearnings
Friday, April 12th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 13th at 2:30 pm
Guest conductor Joseph Young gives us an idea of what to anticipate in this exciting concert. “This program is an aural invitation into the ideals of peace, love, and connection that carries forward long after the final notes.” We begin with Samuel Barber’s concise and dramatic Second Essay for Orchestra. Next, the eclectic and genre-bending string trio Time for Three joins our Symphony performing Kevin Puts’ Contact, a Grammy-winning piece written specifically for the group. Intended to premiere in the summer of 2020, Contact took on new meaning as an expression of yearning for human contact during the peak of the pandemic. Maestro Young’s selection of movements from one of the greatest ballet scores of the 20th century, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, will leave us longing for more.
Event Details
Location: Overture Hall
Tickets: $15-$104
Featuring
Joseph Young, Guest Conductor
TIME FOR THREE:
Ranaan Meyer, Double Bass
Nicolas Kendall, Violin
Charles Yang, Violin
Prelude Discussion: Enjoy a 30-minute talk with guest conductor Joseph Young and MSO Executive Director Robert A. Reed starting one hour before each concert in Overture Hall. Free to ticketholders.
MSO After Dark
Friday, April 11th at 9:30 pm
Connect with other classical music lovers ages 21-40 and enjoy an exclusive post-concert event in the Overture Center’s Wisconsin Studio. Meet musicians of the MSO, eat, drink, and participate in a LEGO Building Contest for the chance to win some prizes! Tickets are $55 and include a Circle-level concert ticket and post-concert event access with food and drink tickets provided. Or, if you’ve already purchased concert tickets, event-only tickets are $35. You are welcome to participate in the contest as an individual builder or as a group! Either way, please RSVP by Friday, April 4th!
Event Details
Location: Overture Wisconsin Studio
Tickets: $35-$55
The $55 package gives you a discounted circle-level seat to the concert as well as event access, the $35 package is event access only. At the event, you are invited to a 3-round LEGO building contest with food provided as well as two drink tickets. You will have the opportunity to meet musicians of the MSO, guest artists, and other members of the community. There is also opportunity to win prizes provided by Working Draft Beer Company and the MSO.
News & Stories
Symphony Moments: Legacy
Check out our most recent Symphony Moment’s post about the Symphony concert held last month with guest artists Amanda Majeski, Kirsten Lippart, Matt Boehler and Martin Luther Clark. Read what the audience had to say after this powerhouse performance and check out photos from the evening.
Symphony Moments: The Final Forte 2025
Check out our most recent Symphony Moment’s post about the Final Forte 2025 that was held last month with our four finalists. Read what the audience had to say after this competition finale, who was the winner of the evening and check out photos from the evening.
Upcoming Concerts – You’re Invited!
Gershwin!
May 9th-11th
Join maestro John DeMain for this finale concert of our 99th season performing popular pieces from the extraordinary George Gerswhin alongside the Madison Symphony Chorus. Special guests include Pianist Philippe Bianconi, Soprano Michelle Johnson and Baritone Eric Greene. Come experience the passion for this iconic work to close the season!
Rhapsodie Quartet May Recital
Tuesday, May 20th at 7:00 pm
Join our Rhapsodie Quartet for this FREE concert in Overture Center’s Promenade Hall that includes our Co-Concertmaster Suzanne Beia, Principal Violist Christopher Dozoryst, Principal Cellist Karl Lavine, and violinist Laura Burns. This particular performance will include two guest musicians Violist Katrin Talbot, and Cellist Mark Bridges.
Hunt Quartet Recital
Thursday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm
Join our Hunt Quartet for this FREE concert program Up Close and Musical at the Arts + Literature Laboratory. This program brings the power and beauty of classical music into the classrooms of elementary schools throughout Dane County. This Quartet is made up of Madison Symphony violinists Paran Amirinazari and Hillary Hempel, violist Jennifer Paulson, and cellist Trace Johnson.
Upcoming Community Events
Madison Ballet: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
April 4th-6th, 2025
Concluding their season, Madison Ballet presents a new one-act ballet adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” With new original choreography by Ja’ Malik, this production features an eclectic mix of new music combined with Felix Mendelssohn’s timeless score—along with new costumes by Ja’ Malik and Fernanda Yamaguchi, scenic design by Ja’ Malik and lighting by Julie Ballard. Set in Central Park, New York City, this magical tale of love and mischief will transport audiences to a whimsical world of fairies, elves and enchantment. The program will also include a Madison Ballet repertory audience favorite—to be announced.
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Children’s Theater of Madison: Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!”
April 5th-20th, 2025
Elephant and Piggie take to the stage in a vaudevillian romp and rollicking adventure that is perfect for young audiences. Join these two best, best, “bestus” friends as they sing and dance their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense. Based on Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books! This play was commissioned by and first produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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March 27th-April 13th, 2025
Forward Theater’s will be a Wisconsin Premiere of A Case for the Existence of God by Samuel Hunter. Inside a cubicle in a small office in southern Idaho, two men find themselves bound together as they struggle to balance the confounding terms on a loan. Through the hardships and hilarities of parenthood, economic pressures, and personal dreams, their evolving friendship becomes a profound exploration of human connection, faith, and the search for meaning in everyday life. The show will take place at Overture Center and is recommended for ages 16+.
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