The Florence Symphony Orchestra has curated a series of captivating musical events that promise to enchant audiences with a diverse array of performances. This season, the orchestra brings us "Holiday Pops," a celebration of the festive spirit, "Carmen & Company," featuring the remarkable pianist Thomas Pandolfi, and "Music of the Knights," a tribute to Britain's musical legends. Set against the backdrop of the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, these events are not just concerts, but immersive experiences that celebrate the power and beauty of music.

Symphonic Splendor: The Florence Symphony Orchestra's Enchanting Season

The Florence Symphony Orchestra is set to enchant audiences with its 2025-26 season, showcasing an exciting lineup of orchestral events. From the spirited 'Hello, Cello!' featuring Gabriel Martins, to the Baroque brilliance of 'Go for Baroque' with Gabriel Smallwood, this season is bursting with soul-stirring performances. Join us for the joy of 'Holiday Pops!', the majestic 'Trumpet & Triumph,' and the dramatic flair of 'Viva la Diva!' Each event promises to captivate and inspire with a rich array of musical masterpieces and stellar performances.

Florence Symphony Orchestra: A Harmonious Season of Musical Splendor

Baroque lovers will rejoice as we welcome the harpsichord in Bach’s Concerto in A major with Florence native Gabriel Smallwood. Bruckner’s monumental Fourth Symphony is a majestic, expansive journey through medieval landscapes, echoing with hunting horns and sweeping lyricism.

Go for Baroque

FMU's Performing Arts Center

The 2025-26 season of the Florence Symphony Orchestra opens with Fanfare for a Future by Ashley Henry, setting the stage with bold optimism. From there, we journey through Schumann’s soulful Cello Concerto, dreamlike Gymnopédies by Satie and Debussy, and the dizzying elegance of Ravel’s La valse.

Hello, Cello!

Get ready to swoon with the Florence Symphony Orchestra and guest Broadway singers as they perform Music of the Knights. This concert commemorates three of Britain’s finest songwriters – Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. Hits include The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Memory, Candle in the Wind, Can you Feel the Love Tonight, Daniel, Let it Be and more.

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Music of the Knights

Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center

Carmen & company

Holiday Pops

All American

Firebird

The Masterworks Choir and the Florence Symphony Orchestra join forces to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, first performed in Vienna, May 7, 1824. Beethoven’s use of the poem “Ode to Joy” by Friedrich Schiller, marks the first time a famous composer used voices in a symphony.

FSO "Ode to Joy"

The WannaBeatles join the Florence Symphony Orchestra for a trip down memory lane commemorating the 60th anniversary of the first U.S. Beetles performance on the  Ed Sullivan show in 1964. This group of Grammy finalists are the only tribute act to have written songs for fellow nominees Paul McCartney and Betty White. The videos for “We Wanna Meet Paul” and (The Betty White Song) “Oh Betty! have brought smiles to fans and concert goers alike.

FSO The WannaBeatles

Celebrating the 75th season, Florence Symphony Orchestra welcomes guest artist and principal oboist Claire Compton. For the past 25 years, Claire Compton has been the principal oboist for the Florence Symphony Orchestra. She has played as a soloist in churches throughout the state and enjoys playing with the Masterworks Choir of Florence, the Lexington County Choral Society, the Dutch Fork Choral Society and the Columbia Choral Society.

FSO Claire Compton

Celebrate the 75th season of the Florence Symphony Orchestra with our Holiday Pops concert, one of the most popular performances of the season. This year will include all your holiday favorites as well as a gospel/jazz version of the Hallelujah Chorus that’s “Too Hot to Handel.” Members of local high school choirs will join the FSO for this performance.

FSO Holiday Pops

Pianist Thomas Pandolfi joins the Florence Symphony Orchestra playing Rachmaninoff. THOMAS PANDOLFI is one of the leading pianists of our time.  In addition to being recognized as one of the greatest interpreters of the Polish masters such as Chopin, Paderewski, and Godowsky, this versatile pianist has received accolades from everything from Bach to Gershwin.

FSO Thomas Pandolfi

The Florence Symphony Orchestra  welcomes clarinetist Eric Schultz. Eric Schultz is an international prize-winning artist equally in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and interpreter of new music. From Carnegie Hall to Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals and beyond, Schultz has performed with renowned artists such as Valerie Coleman and Joshua Bell. He can be seen on Netflix and heard on National Public Radio.

FSO Eric Schultz

Get ready to sleigh the season with the FSO’s Holiday Pops concert—a joyful blend of classic carols, sparkling orchestrations, and a dash of musical mischief sure to warm even the chilliest winter night!

Holiday Pops!

Wagner’s Magic Fire Music sets the stage ablaze capturing the drama and enchantment of a hero’s fiery farewell. Experience the full brilliance of brass in Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto, featuring the FSO’s very own principal trumpet, Keli Price. Respighi’s Roman Festivals captures the the grandeur, chaos and celebration of ancient Rome in four vivid scenes.

Trumpet & Triumph

Viva la Diva! brings opera and popular favorites to life with three dazzling sopranos, one unforgettable stage, and no limit to the drama, glamour or high notes.

Florence Symphony Orchestra

Dec 15, 2025

Holiday Pops!

Feb 9, 2026

Trumpet & Triumph

Apr 13, 2026

Viva la Diva

Nov 10, 2025

Go for Baroque

Oct 6, 2025

Hello, Cello!

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Florence Symphony Orchestra