Experience a musical journey with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra's spectacular events that celebrate the richness of orchestral music. From the festive 'Holiday All the Way' concert that heralds the season's cheer with the charming tunes of Brush Street and Mike Brush's original compositions, to the enigmatic 'Symphonie Fantastique' evening featuring Jaymee Haefner's mesmerizing harp performance, each event promises a breathtaking experience. Delight in Kevin Cole's masterful piano prowess in 'Back Home with Kevin Cole', and revel in the timeless beauty of the 'Return of the Red Violin'. Each performance is a testament to the orchestra's dedication to music and community.

A Symphony of Seasons: Captivating Concerts by the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra

Step into the vibrant world of orchestral music with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra's enthralling lineup. From the dark allure of 'Symphonie Fantastique' featuring harpist Jaymee Haefner to the emotional resonance of Kevin Cole's Gershwin-infused compositions, and the mesmerizing return of Elizabeth Pitcairn with the iconic 'Red Violin', each event promises a unique encounter with classical music. These performances offer a deep dive into musical history, blending masterful compositions with modern interpretations that captivate and inspire.

Orchestral Evenings: A Symphony of Talent and Timeless Compositions

Experience the finest orchestral performances in Saginaw this season with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. From the dark allure of Berlioz's 'Symphonie Fantastique' to Kevin Cole's world premiere of Gershwin-inspired pieces, and the return of the legendary 'Red Mendelssohn' Stradivarius violin, these events promise a unique blend of history, innovation, and musical mastery. Join us at iconic venues for an unforgettable series of concerts that pay homage to the brilliance of classical and contemporary compositions.

Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra's Extravaganza: A Journey Through Classical Masterpieces

SBSO goes to the movies with a collection of film scores and video game themes including James Bond, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Medal of Honor, Mission Impossible, The Simpsons, and more!

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Lights, Camera, Orchestra!

Temple Theatre

A legendary instrument and world-class virtuoso violinist returns to Saginaw to perform at The Temple Theatre in Return of The Red Violin, featuring special guest Elizabeth Pitcairn and the legendary ‘Red Mendelssohn’ Stradivarius violin, one of the most valuable violins on the planet. We begin the evening with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture before Elizabeth Pitcairn takes the stage with the ‘Red Mendelssohn’ Stradivarius to play Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto op. 64 with our orchestra. We finish the evening with a timeless and powerful classic, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1.

Return of the Red Violin

International piano sensation Kevin Cole, named “The best Gershwin pianist in America today” by Chicago Tribune, and “The best Gershwin Pianist since Gershwin himself” by the author of The Encyclopedia of American Music. Kevin Cole returns home to the Great Lakes Bay Region to perform the world premiere of his latest tour. With a full concert of back-to-back performances with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, including Taking No Chances On You, a piece Cole wrote with an Ira Gershwin lyric. This piece is the first time the Gershwin family has approved a new piece with Ira’s lyrics since his death, and the world-premiere of Cole’s latest piece, Cole Porter Medley. Limited tickets are available.

Back Home with Kevin Cole

Saginaw Valley State University

Take a journey through the dark and mysterious forest of classical music with Symphonie Fantastique. The evening begins with Wagner’s Rienzi Overture, followed by world-famous harpist Jaymee Haefner joining us on the Temple Theatre stage to perform Ginastera’s Harp Concerto. Lastly, we end the evening with Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, a beautiful and dark musical dive into a brilliant and poisoned mind. Music programming subject to change.

Symphonie Fantastique 

Take your Holiday all the way on Tuesday, December 10th as the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra rings in the holiday season by celebrating with a beloved local band, Brush Street, featuring Mike Brush performing original Christmas music in addition to cherished holiday classics. It isn’t truly the holiday season until you celebrate with Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Holiday All the Way

Take your Holiday all the way on Tuesday December 10th as the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra rings in the holiday season by celebrating with a beloved local band, Brush Street, featuring Mike Brush and original Christmas music alongside beloved back-to-back holiday classics. It isn’t truly the holiday season until you celebrate with Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.

SBSO: Holiday All the Way

Art Lewis joins the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra to narrate Copland’s Lincoln Portrait in a concert comprised entirely of music from American composers, featuring Rouse’s Symphony No. 1, painter Valerie Allen painting live alongside the orchestra for Michael Torke’s pieces Green and Bright Blue Music, and the Michigan Premiere of local pianist Catherine McMichael’s Celestial Navigation. Patrons are encouraged to show their support for their favorite college football team by wearing their respective colors. Music programming is subject to change.

Green Vs Blue: The Concert Tailgate Experience

 Temple Theatre

Join the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra in our first concert at Saginaw Valley State University in a display of dedication and virtuosity. Featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, Rossini’s Guillaume Tell, Act 1 - Pas de Six, Phillip Glass’s Company, and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto featuring nationally celebrated special guest artist and former local, George Goad. Be closer to the orchestra than ever before in Saginaw Valley State University’s Malcolm Field Theatre, located in Curtiss Hall. Limited tickets are available.

Beethoven's First

Go where no one has gone before. Experience J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek film in The Temple Theatre with your Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra playing the film score by Michael Giacchino live to the film, conducted by Maestro Fouad Fakhouri.

Star Trek (2009): The Future Begins

Join your Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Fouad Fakhouri, in a celebration and display of spirit and virtuosity featuring Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture and Bartok’s notoriously difficult Concerto for Orchestra.

Spirit And Virtuosity

World famous pianist Alessio Bax, winner of the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, the Martin E. Segal Award, The Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, and as featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts,  joins your Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Fouad Fakhouri, to play Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in a tribute to the masterpieces of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, featuring Tchaikovsky’s ‘Cossack Dance’ and Symphony No. 4 in F minor.

Tchaikovsky’s Masterpieces: An Evening With Alessio Bax

Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra continues our 20-year tradition of Holiday Pops by bringing together three of our most prolific local guest vocalists in one unforgettable holiday celebration. Join us in The Temple Theatre as Maestro Fouad Fakhouri conducts your Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra along with guest vocalists Todd Michael Hall, Amy Petty, and Sharrie Williams in a celebration of Saginaw’s own Holiday Superstars.

Holiday Superstars

Journey Through The Cosmos From The Historic Temple Theatre As Maestro Fouad Fakhouri Conducts Your  Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra In A Space-themed Concert Featuring John Williams’ Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Nielsen’s Helios Overture, Rouse’s Phaethon, And Holst’s Beloved The Planets, Featuring A Synchronized Projection Above The Orchestra Including Footage From Nasa.

Holst's The Planets: Live In Motion

Our annual Holiday Pops concert returns with Saginaw’s ‘3 Tenors’; Todd Michael Hall, Billy Petty, and Charles Allen, along with some of your favorite holiday selections including Josh Groban’s You Raise Me Up, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, and the Christmas singalong, featuring side-by-side performances with Saginaw Bay Youth Orchestra.

SBSO: Holiday's with Saginaw's Stars

A celebration of one of the most beloved piano pieces in history, along with a beloved masterpiece. Natasha Paremski performs Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, also featuring Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. ‘From The New World’ and Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

SBSO: Rachmanninov & Dvorak

Two timeless classics, two modern original compositions performed by their composers. Special guest Kebra-Seyoun Charles, rising star of the orchestra landscape, performs their composition Nightlife: Concerto for Bass following the concerto’s recent premiere at Carnegie Hall, followed with the Michigan premiere of Trance, an original composition by our own composer and Music Director, Fouad Fakhouri. Also featured in the program is Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

SBSO: Pictures at an Exhibition

A massive joint celebration of SBSO and The Saginaw Choral Society’s 90th seasons as the full choral society joins our symphony orchestra for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, one of the most famous compositions of all time.

Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra

Dec 9, 2025

SBSO: Holiday's with Saginaw's Stars

Feb 7, 2026

SBSO: Rachmanninov & Dvorak

Mar 28, 2026

SBSO: Pictures at an Exhibition

May 9, 2026

SBSO: An Ode to Joy!

Sep 27, 2025

Lights, Camera, Orchestra!

May 3, 2025

Return of the Red Violin

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Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra