Symphony Notes
By Steven Libman, President and CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony
When you return to the Jacksonville Symphony this fall, you will experience more than a new season of music; you will step into a renewed Jacoby Symphony Hall with new seats, carpeting, handrails, aisle lighting, speakers, and acoustic shelving thanks to significant support from the Terry Family Foundation. While this transformation enhances the patron experience in significant ways, what excites me most is what it represents: an investment in the future of live symphonic music for our community.
The inside is new, but also there is an addition outside our building—the city’s Riverfront Music Garden that was established this past May. This inviting space features interactive art installations, a dedicated Walk of Fame honoring influential musicians connected to our city and engaging musical playscapes for children, all set along the beautiful St. Johns River. We encourage guests to explore the garden before joining us inside Jacoby Symphony Hall for a concert.
Our mission has always been to enrich the human spirit through symphonic music, and this season marks a new chapter in that work. As we welcome you back, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated season that balances tradition and discovery—featuring iconic classical works, extraordinary guest artists, popular films performed live in concert and unforgettable special events, including “The Flying Ace” and a visit from the one and only travel guru Rick Steves.
On November 14, “The Flying Ace” takes center stage with the world premiere of a newly commissioned symphonic score, performed live in sync with the film. Created for the film’s 100th anniversary, this landmark performance breathes new life into the 1926 silent classic and celebrates Black artistic legacy and innovation—an extraordinary moment for Jacksonville that we hope you’ll join us for. The full history of the film, the story behind this project and all of the artists involved can be found at JaxSymphony.org/the-flying-ace.
Another special event this season is Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey on January 23. We welcome renowned author and host Rick Steves in person for an immersive journey blending on-screen travel imagery, storytelling, and live orchestral music.
For many of us, Jacoby Symphony Hall has been the setting for unforgettable moments—first concerts, standing ovations, holiday traditions, and shared experiences that stay long after the final note. Now in his 12th season, our brilliant Music Director Courtney Lewis continues to shape those moments through bold programming, new commissions, and performances that reflect and deepen our connection to the community.
Each year, the season begins with our free community concerts, which always reach capacity. These concerts feature a blend of classical and pops selections drawn from the season ahead, offering something for a wide range of musical interests and inviting new audiences to discover our symphony. The momentum continues the following week with our first Fleet Landing Coffee Series performances: Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony on September 18, followed by the opening Florida Blue Classical concert Mozart and Tchaikovsky on September 25 and 26.
October brings even more fan favorites, beginning with the Terry Family Foundation Pops opening Stevie Wonder & More: The 70s & Beyond on October 2 and 3. The month also features Bernstein & Stravinsky on October 16 and 17 and Music of the Knights: Elton, McCartney & Lloyd Webber on October 23 and 24.
Before you know it, we will be fully immersed in our holiday season, with performances including the First Coast “Nutcracker” presented by VyStar Credit Union, Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah, Holiday Big Band, and Holiday Brass, Organ and Percussion. The holidays are especially meaningful to us, as we see families return year after year, building traditions with music at the heart of their celebrations.
As we begin our 77th season, I am deeply grateful to the patrons, donors, musicians, volunteers, and staff who have made this new chapter possible. Your continued support ensures that the Jacksonville Symphony remains not only a vibrant cultural cornerstone of our city, but also a place you can always count on for an unforgettable experience.
We look forward to welcoming you back this fall and sharing the first notes of a remarkable new season. The stage is set; the hall renovation is complete, and an exciting new chapter begins.
Tickets: JaxSymphony.org or call (904) 354-5547
