Music Director Earl Lee spearheads a landmark celebration of one of classical music’s most influential and celebrated composers. Two concerts in two months showcase two of the most pivotal works ever composed for orchestra, with the brutality and extroversion of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 pairing with the transcendental expansionism of Symphony No. 9, the Ode to Joy.

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Beethoven Fest 2024

Michigan Theater

University of Michigan

Join us for the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's 24/25 Season Opener, a night of unforgettable music under the baton of Music Director Earl Lee. This spectacular event will take place on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 8 PM in the prestigious Hill Auditorium, with a pre-concert talk scheduled at 7 PM to enrich your experience.

The evening will showcase the extraordinary talents of Yekwon Sunwoo, the first Korean gold medallist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, renowned for his "unfailingly consistent excellence" (International Piano) and his ability to "thunder without breaking a sweat" (Chicago Tribune). Sunwoo will perform Rachmaninoff’s legendary Piano Concerto No. 2, a piece that signifies the composer's triumphant return to the forefront of classical music.

Also featured in the program is William Bolcom’s "Ann Arbor Saturday," a piece commissioned and premiered by the A2SO in 2018, and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, famously known for its grand use of the pipe organ, a piece so dear to Saint-Saëns that he remarked, "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again."

This season opener is not just a concert but a celebration of musical mastery, featuring works that span the emotional spectrum of the human experience. Seats are available now as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a musical journey that promises to be both exhilarating and deeply moving.

24/25 Season Opener

Join the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra as they kick off their 23/24 Pops season with a spectacular tribute to the legendary composer John Williams. This unforgettable evening will feature some of Williams' most iconic scores from cinematic masterpieces such as Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, and Harry Potter, celebrating his monumental contributions to film music.

The concert will be led by the acclaimed American conductor and actor Damon Gupton, known for his roles in Whiplash, La La Land, and Criminal Minds, among others. Gupton brings his unique talent and charisma to the Michigan Theater, promising an epic performance that will captivate audiences.

Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
- Time: 8 PM
- Location: Michigan Theater

Seats are currently available as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of John Williams' music brought to life by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the talented Damon Gupton.

October Pops

Join us for an unforgettable evening with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra as we present the November MainStage event, featuring the extraordinary talents of cellist Sterling Elliott. Making his Ann Arbor debut, Elliott will perform Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, a masterpiece considered by many to be the greatest concerto ever composed for the instrument. This event will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 8 PM at the Michigan Theater, with a pre-concert talk scheduled for 7 PM.

Sterling Elliott, recipient of the 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the 2019 National Sphinx Competition, is celebrated for his striking stage presence and eloquence of expression. His performance is eagerly anticipated as he brings his unique interpretation to Dvořák’s concerto. In addition to Elliott's performance, the evening will be under the baton of Music Director Earl Lee, featuring György Kurtág’s Ligatura Message-Hommage à Frances-Marie Uitti The Answered Unanswered Question, and Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 3, a work praised for its artistic perfection.

Seats for this captivating concert are available now as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the artistry of Sterling Elliott and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in what promises to be a memorable night of music.

November Mainstage

Celebrate the holiday season with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's enchanting "Holiday Pops 2024" concert at the prestigious Hill Auditorium. This year, the event promises an unforgettable evening under the baton of Music Director Earl Lee, marking his debut at the candy cane-striped podium. Scheduled for Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 8 PM, the concert will feature a magical journey to the North Pole, complete with a full orchestra performing festive classics, new orchestral arrangements, and transformative audience participation. Expect show-stopping guest appearances that will make this Southeast Michigan tradition a memorable experience for revelers of all ages. With an earlier start time to accommodate families, this event is designed to be enjoyed by all. Seats are available now as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra at Hill Auditorium.

Holiday Pops 2024

Join the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for an enchanting evening of music at the January MainStage event, featuring the extraordinary talents of flutist Demarre McGill. This special performance, under the baton of Music Director Earl Lee, will showcase Mozart’s mesmerizing Flute Concerto, with McGill's virtuosity taking center stage. The program also includes Andrea Casarrubios’s vibrant Herencia, and concludes with the elegance of Mozart’s Symphony No. 39.

This captivating concert will take place on Friday, January 24, 2024, at 8 PM in Orchestra Hall Detroit, with a pre-concert talk at 7 PM. The magic continues on Saturday, January 25, 2024, at 8 PM at the Michigan Theater, also preceded by a pre-concert talk at 7 PM. 

Seats are currently available as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the brilliance of Demarre McGill alongside the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in what promises to be a memorable musical journey.

January Mainstage

Orchestra Hall

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and mastery at the February MainStage event presented by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. This spectacular concert will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 8 PM in the historic Michigan Theater. Enhance your experience with a pre-concert talk at 7 PM, offering deeper insights into the night's performances.

The evening will showcase the extraordinary talents of Stella Chen, the Gramophone Magazine’s Young Artist of the Year for 2023. As a celebrated violinist with an impressive background from Harvard University, the Juilliard School, and mentorship under Itzhak Perlman, Chen will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, a piece once considered unplayable but now a cornerstone of the violin repertoire. Her performance is eagerly anticipated following her first prize win at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2019.

Under the baton of Music Director Earl Lee, the orchestra will also present Jessie Montgomery’s jazz-infused Overture and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, a profound portrait of anguish, agony, and fleeting triumph. This diverse program promises an evening of emotional depth and exhilarating musicianship.

Seats for this must-see event are available now as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness live performances by some of the most talented musicians in the classical music world today.

February Mainstage

Experience the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli like never before with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's "Studio Ghibli at the Symphony." Following its overwhelming success in 2022, this beloved program makes a triumphant return, promising another sold-out weekend of performances at the Michigan Theater. Under the baton of guest conductor Wilbur Lin, audiences will be treated to a family-friendly lineup featuring the iconic scores from Studio Ghibli's most celebrated films, including "My Neighbor Totoro" (1988), "Spirited Away" (2001), and "Howl’s Moving Castle" (2004).

Joe Hisaishi's vibrant and lively compositions for Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-nominated films have become a staple of childhood worldwide. From the playful adventures of Totoro to the mystical realms of a wandering castle, this concert is a heartfelt homage to the spirit of Studio Ghibli, designed to captivate fans of all ages.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 8 PM, and join us at the Michigan Theater for an unforgettable evening. Seats are currently available as part of a subscription, with single ticket bookings opening on July 18, 2024. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the magical scores that have defined a generation of animation enthusiasts.

Studio Ghibli at the Symphony

Join the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening of classical music on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Michigan Theater. The April MainStage event promises to be a revolutionary journey through the realms of classical music, featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, the Eroica—a work that has left an indelible mark on the history of music with its grand scale, scope, and substance.

Under the baton of guest conductor Andrew Grams, known for his dynamic concerts and ability to connect with audiences, this performance is set to captivate the hearts of classical music enthusiasts. Adding to the evening’s allure, 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition medalist Kate Liu will make her Ann Arbor debut, showcasing the soaring lyricism of Chopin’s F minor Piano Concerto. This piece, inspired by the composer’s affection for Polish soprano Konstancja Gładkowska, features an inexpressibly gorgeous second movement conceived as a piano aria, enveloped by the virtuosic outer movements that highlight Chopin’s unparalleled mastery of the piano.

The concert will also feature Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 2, further enriching the evening’s repertoire. The event begins at 8 PM, with a pre-concert talk scheduled for 7 PM, offering insights into the night’s program and the history behind the pieces.

Seats for this musical extravaganza are available now as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the profound beauty and revolutionary spirit of classical music brought to life by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Kate Liu, and Andrew Grams.

April Mainstage

Join us for the grand finale of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's 24/25 Season, a concert that promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and emotion. Under the baton of Music Director Earl Lee, this season-concluding concert will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 8 PM in the prestigious Hill Auditorium. 

The evening will commence with a pre-concert talk at 7 PM, offering insights and enriching the concert experience. The program features the premiere of Katherine Balch’s "musica pyralis," a co-commission in partnership with the New York Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and the Erie Symphony, supported by New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program. This piece is set to captivate the audience with its innovative composition and execution.

The highlight of the night will be Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, with its famous Adagietto, a love song to Mahler’s wife, Alma. This symphony is a journey through triumph and despair, showcasing Mahler’s shift to pure instrumental music and the contrapuntal intensity reminiscent of J.S. Bach. 

Seats for this monumental event are available now as part of a subscription, with single ticket booking opening on July 18, 2024. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the culmination of the 24/25 Season with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, led by the talented Earl Lee. This concert is not just a performance but a celebration of music's power to express the inexpressible.

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

Apr 6 - May 18, 2024

Beethoven Fest 2024

Sep 27, 2024

24/25 Season Opener

Oct 19, 2024

October Pops

Nov 9, 2024

November Mainstage

Dec 21, 2024

Holiday Pops 2024

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

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