Springfield—Season subscriptions are now on sale for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) 2024-25 season, “A Tapestry of Music,” opening in October with nine concerts. Subscriptions can be purchased on the SSO website, SpringfieldSymphony.org, or by calling the Box Office at (413) 733-2291. Subscription renewals for previous subscribers can be reserved through August 30.

Subscriptions for the SSO’s “Classical 6” concerts package start at $127.50 and include six classical performances with world themes, highlighting the universal language of music. There is also a “Pops 2” package for the season’s two Pops performances, starting at $42.50.  SSO subscribers also will receive exclusive, discounted pricing for the “Harmony of Love” concert on February 15, a romance-themed concert conducted by Mei-Ann Chen.

SSO season subscribers receive many benefits, including substantial savings on ticket prices; 15% off additional tickets purchased for any of the season’s performances and youth tickets for $10; invitations to special SSO events; the SSO Arts Card, which offers discounts at Greater Springfield restaurants and attractions; and free concert ticket exchanges. Individual concert tickets will be on sale at a later date.

Due to popular demand, the coming season will include five matinée performances. Two performances — “A New Musical World” on January 18 and “Something New” on April 19 —will also feature projections on the big screen while the orchestra plays, a feature that audiences also enjoyed during previous seasons’ concerts.

The 2024-25 season will feature two performances conducted by the SSO’s newly-named Artistic Advisor, Mei-Ann Chen, including its opening night performance on October 19, “New England Reverie,” featuring works by two of the “Boston Six” and America’s great composers. Chen will also conduct the Valentine’s-themed concert, “The Harmony of Love,” on February 15, 2025, which will feature Asian folk-themed repertoire highlighted by Butterfly Lover’s Concerto (Chen Gang / He Zhanhao) and music from West Side Story.

“Echos of the Americas” on Saturday, November 16, will offer an exciting program that explores Latin American and Spanish composers, featuring a violin concerto by Puerto Rican composer Ernesto Cordero, tango and conga. “Heralding the Holidays” on December 14 will feature vocalist Shayna Steele, an American singer, songwriter and Broadway stage actress; the Springfield Symphony Chorus; and Cantor Elise Barber.

The season will also include the SSO’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration concert, “A New Musical World,” on January 18, 2025; the return of Byron Stripling, a popular guest conductor for the SSO, who will conduct “Gershwin, Berlin & Friends” on February 1; and a concert highlighting the fusion of choral and orchestral music with “Eternal Echoes” on March 15, featuring the Springfield Symphony Chorus.

The final two concerts of the season will be “Something New” on Saturday, April 19, with guest conductor JoAnn Falletta; and “Variation and Virtuosity” on May 3 with guest conductor Marcelo Lehninger.

According to Paul Lambert, President and CEO of the SSO, “Our entire SSO Family is thrilled and honored to bring a season of such beautiful music representing the range and excitement of many musical traditions to our audiences. We will continue to welcome remarkable conductors and guest artists to join our Orchestra in continuing our outreach to new and returning audiences. 

“We especially hope that many will join us for our special “Romance” concert, featuring beautiful music from both eastern and western traditions, that serves as an additional concert to our Classical and Pops offerings for the season,” Lambert said.

In addition to the scheduled season’s concerts, the SSO will again plan to host its third annual Juneteenth celebration in 2025.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is the largest Massachusetts symphony outside of Boston. It consists of over 65 musicians from the NE region of the United States and Canada, and holds many performances in a given season – as either the full orchestra or in ensemble formats. 

Mei-Ann Chen, Ann Marie McDermott, JoAnn Falletta and Marcelo Lehninger appear by arrangement with Opus 3 Artists, LLC; Jeri Lynne Johnson appears by arrangement with Arabella Arts LLC; Melissa White appears by arrangement with Dinin Arts Management & Consulting, LLC; Timothy McAllister appears by arrangement with Jonathan Wentworth Associates, Ltd; and Natasha Paremski appears by arrangement with Arts Management Group. Visuals Choreographed by Adrian Wyard.