Festival City Symphony (FCS) launches its 2025–26 Saturday Classics series on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the magnificent Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, with a program that unites history, humanity, and the transformative power of music. The concert, Hope, Resilience, and Copland’s American Symphony, begins at 2:00 p.m. and is free with a suggested donation of $14 for adults and $8 for children, students, and seniors.
In a profound partnership with Violins of Hope – Wisconsin, presented by Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), audience members will hear restored instruments once played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust—rare, tangible artifacts that survived when so much else was lost. These violins, each carrying the stories of resilience and survival, will be brought to life in a program that speaks to courage in the face of oppression and hope in the wake of tragedy.
The afternoon will feature:
- David Diamond’s Kaddish, featuring FCS Principal Cellist Stefan Kartman
- Tomaso Albinoni’s Adagio
- Sergei Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes
- Aaron Copland’s monumental Third Symphony
The event will be preceded at 1:30 p.m. by a special on-stage discussion with the Holocaust Education Resource Center, offering historical context and personal stories connected to the Violins of Hope collection.
“This concert isn’t just an artistic event, it’s a living history lesson, a memorial, and a testament to the human spirit,” said Brandon Yahn, Principal Horn and Operations Director of Festival City Symphony. “We’re honored to share this music and these stories with the Milwaukee community.”
Saturday Classics concerts are free and open to the public, with a suggested donation. Seats may be reserved in advance. For tickets, directions, and parking information, visit https://festivalcitysymphony.org/.
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
(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/.