SOUTH BEND, Ind. (February 13, 2017) – Today, the South Bend Symphony unveiled the details of its exciting 2017-18 Season.

“We are incredibly grateful for the interest and support we have received from our community throughout the SBSO’s Music Director Search. As we continue the process and prepare for the beginning of a new era, we are delighted to share our 2017-18 Season, which will feature high-caliber artists, special programs, collaborations, and expansive Education and Community Engagement activities serving thousands in the Michiana region” said Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev, the Executive Director of the Symphony.

During the 2017-18 Season, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will present 20 concerts, including Masterworks, Pops, and Mosaic Series performances, as well as two Home for the Holidays concerts in December presented with a few new twists, the annual MLK Day Celebration Concert in January, four Young People’s Discovery Concerts in November, a free outdoor summer concert in August, and an all-new Family Concert in March.

The Symphony will continue to perform at two state-of-the-art performance venues—the Morris Performing Arts Center and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center at the University of Notre Dame.

Masterworks: The recently-expanded Jack M. Champaigne Masterworks Series will continue to feature five outstanding concerts. Highlights of the 2017-18 Jack M. Champaigne Masterworks Series include:

  • Sept. 23, 2017 – Internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine performs Korngold’s lavish Violin Concerto, followed by Mahler’s “Titan” Symphony.
  • Nov. 11, 2017 – A special Veteran’s Day program, with American orchestral classics including Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Rodgers’ Victory at Sea, and Tchaikovsky’s timeless anthem, the 1812 Overture.
  • Feb. 17, 2018 – Beethoven’s beloved “Emperor” Piano Concerto featuring SBSO Principal Pianist Vakhtang Kodanashvili and Shostakovich’s powerful Fifth Symphony.
  • April 14, 2018 – The grandiose Verdi Requiem, with the University of Notre Dame Chorale & Glee Club, and Saint Mary’s College Women’s Choir.
  • May 12, 2018 – Tchaikovsky’s famous Fifth Symphony, along with Schumann’s Konzerstück featuring the SBSO’s horn section.

Pops: The KeyBank Pops Series will showcase more of the great music that audiences have come to expect. Nothing matches the power of a live orchestra. Whether it’s a blockbuster film, the best of Broadway, or music of a rock band, the symphonic sound makes it better! The 2017-18 KeyBank Pops Series features:

  • Oct. 7, 2017 – Cirque de la Symphonie: A feast for the eyes and ears! The spectacle of the big top comes alive in the Morris, as acrobats and aerial fliers perform to classical and popular favorites.
  • March 17, 2018 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: The Symphony will take audiences on a musical journey of the Emerald Isle, featuring Irish Step Dancers, Celtic vocalists, and bagpipe serenades to bring the luck of the Irish to all.
  • April 28, 2018 – Music of the Piano Men with Tony DeSare: A century of piano’s greatest hits from Elton John, Ray Charles, John Lennon, and Billy Joel to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Mosaic: The SBSO’s intimate Series, previously known as “Chamber” was rebranded to fully encompass the Series’ diverse programming. The 2017-18 June H. Edwards Mosaic Series features:

  • Oct. 15, 2017 – Charlie Chaplin’s “The Rink”: Silent movie and an exploration of classical works featured in movies.
  • Jan. 7, 2018 – The World of Handel: A special concert presentation; an intimate in-depth look at the life and repertoire of one of the most famous Baroque composers.
  • March 4, 2018 – An Afternoon in Italy: Featuring Mendelssohn’s famous “Italian” Symphony and other Italian musical gems.

Education and Community Engagement Program Highlights:

  • Symphony-to-Go – FREE Community Performances: SBSO’s Principal players will present more than 50 free ensemble performances in schools, retirement homes, libraries, and community centers. These interactive musical presentations are tailored to each audience and are provided free of charge to the host venue.
  • The Shein Family Young People’s Discovery Concerts – Link Up Program (Nov. 16-17, 2017): The SBSO will become a partner of Carnegie Hall’s Link Up – highly participatory educational program, during which the students get to join the orchestra. The Orchestra Swings, Link Up’s newest addition, will be featured and all participants will be provided with extensive teacher guides and student materials.
  • MLK Day Celebration Concert (Jan. 15, 2018): SBSO will continue to serve as the grand-finale of the city-wide celebration. This concert features a national partnership with the Sphinx Organization–dedicated to celebrating diversity through arts. This year’s concert was awarded a special grant from the NEA.
  • Dake Chamber Music Academy’s 20th Anniversary (June 19-23, 2017): In June of 2017, as the 2016-17 Season of Discovery concludes, the Dake Chamber Music Academy will celebrate its 20th Season. This week-long chamber music camp, coached by SBSO musicians, provides students with an in-depth learning opportunity through individual coachings, masterclasses, and seminars. This year, in addition to serving high-school students, the camp will include a Jr. Session for middle school students.

Discounts, priority seating, and other exclusive benefits are available to early season subscribers. 2017-18 Season Subscription details and information on the remaining concerts of this Season will be available in the coming weeks online www.southbendsymphony.org or by phone (574) 232-6343.

Single ticket prices start at $18 and students can attend any SBSO performance for only $8. Individual tickets for Jack M. Champaigne Masterworks and KeyBank POPS Series concerts will be available starting in August at The Morris Box Office, open Monday – Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., by phone at (574) 235-9190 or online at morriscenter.org. Tickets to the June H. Edwards Mosaic Series concerts will be available starting in August at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Ticket Office, open Monday – Friday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m, by phone (574) 631-2800 or online at www.performingarts.nd.edu.