Sarasota Orchestra September and October 2024 Concerts

September 18, 2024 | Sarasota

Sarasota Orchestra launches its new season with a wide variety of concerts in September and October. From a free concert for the whole family–to a celebration of one of the 20^th century’s greatest composers–to the return of the beloved Star Wars watch party with live orchestra–this season kickoff has something for everybody.

Chamber Soirée: Baroque Banquet

A veritable feast of Baroque gems opens the Chamber Soirée season. Ceremonial brass set the stage for J.S. Bach’s festive Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 for strings. The percussion have their moment with Philidor’s March for Two Pairs of Timpani, which was first performed for King Louis XIV in 1683. Igor Stravinsky’s glorious Neo-Baroque Pulcinella Suite concludes this royal banquet.

When: September 29, 4:00 pm

Where: Holley Hall

How:  Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org or call the Box Office at (941) 953-3434.

Discoveries: Gershwin’s American Dream

Celebrate the legendary George Gershwin and his extraordinary impact on American music. This thrilling evening will feature a dollop of jazz, blues, and dance rhythms. Hear how Gershwin’s influence echoes through the years in this enticing program showcasing Kevin Cole, widely considered the finest Gershwin pianist in the country. GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor David Alan Miller has served as music director of the Albany Symphony since 1992.

When:

October 5, 7:30 pm

Where: Sarasota Opera House

How:  Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org or call the Box Office at (941) 953-3434.

FREE Family Concert: Orchestra Games

Fresh off the Summer Olympics, Sarasota Orchestra offers a free performance of The Orchestra Games by Gregory Smith. Sarasota Orchestra invites families and friends for a night of good-natured symphonic competition. The concert will feature demonstrations of special abilities of different instruments, as well as family-oriented games before and after the show. Free general admission tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. The Orchestra’s website offers a sign-up to get concert reminders, updates, and “know-before-you-go” tips.

When: October 11, 7:00 pm

Where: Van Wezel

How:  Tickets free at the door. Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org for more information.

Chamber Soirée: Mendelssohn and Maslanka

The music of 18th-century prodigy Felix Mendelssohn is paired with that of 20th-century master David Maslanka. Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 6 was his final completed work. Maslanka’s four wind quintets are landmarks of the repertoire, with his fourth composed for our very own Sarasota Wind Quintet. The program opens with celebratory music for brass quintet.

When: October 13, 4:00 pm

Where: Holley Hall

How:  Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org or call the Box Office at (941) 953-3434.

Great Escapes: Reel Intrigue

Get in the spirit for Halloween with music from the theater and movies, featuring a little bit of adventure and possibly a touch of fright. You’ll thrill to music from Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Murder on the Orient Express, Vertigo, and some other surprises. Matthew Troy, music director of Western Piedmont Symphony, leads the concert.

When: October 16, 5:30 pm

                October 17, 7:30 pm

                October 18, 5:30 pm

                October 19, 7:30 pm

Where: Holley Hall

How:  Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org or call the Box Office at (941) 953-3434.

Special Concert: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Audiences could not stop raving about last season’s symphonic screenings of Star Wars: A New Hope! Well, it’s time to dust off those Darth Vader helmets again as Sarasota Orchestra presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back live in concert, with the full Orchestra playing John Williams’ extraordinary music and the iconic film on the big screen. Prolific conductor Conner Gray Covington leads the Orchestra in this live cinematic experience.

When: October 25 and 26, 7:30 pm

Where: Van Wezel

How:  Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org or call the Box Office at (941) 953-3434.