Festival City Symphony is proud to announce its 2025–26 concert season, a moving and imaginative series of performances designed to bring the Milwaukee community together through the power of live orchestral music. This season features four evocative Saturday Classics concerts and three joyful Pajama Jamborees, presented in iconic downtown venues and offered free to the public, affirming the symphony’s mission of making classical music accessible to all.
The Saturday Classics series will be performed at the Bradley Symphony Center and includes a pre-concert “Unlocking the Score” talk beginning at 1:30 p.m., followed by the full performance at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation.
Saturday Classics – Bradley Symphony Center (212 W Wisconsin Ave):
- October 18, 2025 – Hope, Resilience, and Copland’s American Symphony: In partnership with Violins of Hope – Wisconsin, presented by Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) and the Holocaust Education Resource Center, this powerful program features restored instruments once played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Works include David Diamond’s Kaddish featuring FCS Principal Cellist Stefan Kartman, Albinoni’s Adagio, Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes, and Copland’s stirring Third Symphony.
- January 24, 2026 – Mendelssohn’s Discovery: An atmospheric musical journey with Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Schubert’s majestic Symphony in C Major (“The Great”), rediscovered by Mendelssohn himself.
- March 7, 2026 – Pictures at an Exhibition: A vibrant showcase of musical storytelling with Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, selections from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
- April 18, 2026 – Faith, Persistence, and Celebration: A deeply moving finale featuring Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata da Chiesa, Autumn Maria Reed’s Mental Health Suite, and Dvořák’s uplifting Symphony No. 8.
Festival City Symphony’s Pajama Jamboree concerts return to the Bradley Pavilion of the Marcus Performing Arts Center, offering families a relaxed, one-hour musical experience perfect for children and newcomers to classical music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with performances from 7:00–8:00 p.m. Admission is free and no reservations are required.
Pajama Jamborees – Bradley Pavilion, Marcus Performing Arts Center (929 N Water St):
- October 29, 2025 – Haunted Harmonies: A spooky and delightful Halloween concert with music from Harry Potter, Coco, Danse Macabre, and more. Costumes encouraged!
- December 3, 2025 – Jingle Bell Jamboree: A festive family concert filled with holiday cheer, featuring Sleigh Ride, Frosty the Snowman, and a lively sing-along to A Christmas Festival.
- April 29, 2026 – Around the World – A Festival of Dances: A toe-tapping, global celebration of dance. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, kids will even get a chance to conduct the orchestra during Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever!
As it enters its 99th season, Festival City Symphony continues to bring the magic of classical music to the heart of Milwaukee, offering powerful performances, meaningful partnerships, and traditions the whole city can celebrate.
Media Resources:
Journalists and media professionals are invited to access the official Festival City Symphony online press kit, powered by Green Onion Creative, which includes copies of press releases, logos, show flyers, previous concert season photos, and information for media coverage.
Media Contact:
Brandon Yahn
Operations Director
operations@festivalcitysymphony.org
(262) 853-6085
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About Festival City Symphony
Festival City Symphony (FCS), Milwaukee’s oldest performing symphony orchestra, has been delighting audiences with accessible, family-friendly classical music for over 90 years. Under the baton of Music Director Carter Simmons, FCS presents high-quality concerts at an affordable price, welcoming both seasoned concertgoers and newcomers to the symphonic experience. Through its Saturday Classics series at the Bradley Symphony Center and its free, fun-filled Pajama Jamborees, Festival City Symphony is committed to enriching the cultural life of the Milwaukee community. Learn more at https://festivalcitysymphony.org/.