Name: Syracuse Youth Orchestras Spring Concert
Start: 2026-05-17T15:00:00
Location: Solvay High School

Jessica Kline Tumajyan

Stephen Salem

Robert Auler

The Syracuse Orchestra

During WWII in Terezin Concentration Camp, conductor and prisoner Rafael Schachter taught 150 prisoners the Verdi Requiem note by note after grueling days of forced labor. In an act of utmost defiance, this group persevered to keep art alive and performed the Requiem 16 times for their fellow prisoners. In a partnership with the Jewish Federation of CNY, we are proud to present The Defiant Requiem.

Defiant Requiem: Verdi At Terezin

The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, The Syracuse Orchestra performs music from around the world that celebrates freedom and our richly diverse local community.

Let Freedom Ring

St. Paul's Syracuse, the Downtown Episcopal Church

The Syracuse Orchestra will present Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert featuring a screening of the complete film with composer John Williams’ iconic Oscar®-winning score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Sean O’Loughlin on April 25, 2026 at 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater.

Since the release of this first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams. Fans will experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience.

Legendary composer Williams is well known for scoring all nine of the Star Wars saga films, beginning with 1977’s Star Wars for which he earned an Academy Award® for Best Original Score. His scores for subsequent Star Wars films The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker were each Oscar®-nominated for Best Original Score.

Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy in Star Wars: A New Hope. Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the evil Empire.

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater

Julian Schwarz is featured in Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto, commissioned by Robert and Vicki Lieberman. We finish with the operatic music of Strauss’ Des Rosenklavier Suite. Gerard Schwarz conducts this season finale celebration concert.

Grand Finale Masterworks

You can be The Dancing Queen and sing along to your ABBA favorites as The Syracuse Orchestra rocks out with vocalists in The Music of ABBA.

Dancing Queen: Music Of Abba

Hear Central New York’s most talented young musicians perform a wide variety of orchestral music in their final concert of the 2025-26 season.