Name: Music of John Williams
Start: 2026-05-02T19:30:00
Location: Washburn University

The Topeka Symphony Orchestra has curated an exhilarating season filled with captivating narratives and timeless musical masterpieces. From the legendary tales of Billy the Kid to the cinematic scores of John Williams, each event promises a unique journey through sound and story. Join us at Washburn University for an unforgettable series of performances that celebrate the diverse and dynamic world of orchestral music, featuring an impressive lineup of composers and performers that will leave audiences spellbound.

A Symphony of Stories: Topeka Symphony Orchestra's Dazzling Season

Topeka Symphony Orchestra

IN THIS PERFORMANCE created by Alice Wiley Pickett for actors, singers, and the orchestra, we will enter the deeply emotional and intensely creative world of French composer Maurice Ravel, who lived during the rich explosion of arts and sciences in Paris in the first part of the 20th century. Through Ravel’s own words and the words of both his most beloved friends and his harshest critics, and through his revolutionary and wildly, beautifully inventive music, we will paint an impressionistic picture—at times whimsical and at other times tragic—of this enigmatic genius.

Ravel

Washburn University

TUNE IN for a night of mystery, intrigue, and spectacular beauty. Stravinsky’s Petrushka unravels a dark tale of manipulation and jealousy with an ill-fated puppet whose desperate fight for love ends in tragedy. Reena Esmail’s ReMember weaves together powerful themes of identity and connection, blending Eastern and Western influences in a stunning musical tapestry. And join us in welcoming to the stage rising star Aubree Oliverson on Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic, passionate, and beguiling Violin Concerto. This will be a night to remember!

The Clown 

TUNE IN for an epic night dedicated entirely to the music of John Williams, one of Hollywood’s greatest composers, whose music instantly evokes adventure, nostalgia, and movie magic! From the triumphant brass of Star Wars to the haunting strings of Schindler’s List, John Williams’s symphonic film scores have shaped the sound of modern cinema. This electrifying concert highlights the genius behind the music that has defined decades of movies and transforms the orchestra into the ultimate blockbuster experience.

Music of John Williams

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