Milwaukee, WI (September 17, 2025) — Festival City Symphony (FCS) invites families to kick off the 2025–26 Pajama Jamboree season with “Haunted Harmonies,” a free Halloween concert on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. at the Bradley Pavilion of the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N Water Street in Milwaukee.
Designed especially for children in K4 through fifth grade but open to audiences of all ages, Pajama Jamborees are lively, one-hour pops concerts that make classical music fun, accessible, and interactive. With playful narration, colorful orchestral selections, and plenty of opportunities for audience engagement, these concerts have become a beloved Milwaukee tradition for families.
At “Haunted Harmonies,” young concertgoers (and their families) are encouraged to come in costume or pajamas, bring along teddy bears or blankets, and settle in for a magical evening. The program will feature spooky favorites and cinematic classics, including Danse Macabre, Night on Bald Mountain, music from Coco, Harry Potter, and more—guaranteed to cast a spell on both first-time listeners and seasoned concert fans.
Dr. Stefan Kartman serves as Professor of Cello and Chamber Music at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he chairs the string area and teaches cello, chamber music, and string pedagogy. In addition to his role as Principal Cellist of Festival City Symphony, Dr. Kartman has built an international career as both soloist and chamber musician.
“Pajama Jamborees are about more than just music,” said Brandon Yahn, Festival City Symphony’s Operations Director and Principal Horn player. “They’re about creating lasting memories for families, introducing children to the joy of live performance, and showing that classical music can be a fun, welcoming space.”
Concert Details
- Haunted Harmonies: Halloween Pajama Jamboree
- Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- 7:00–8:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
- Bradley Pavilion, Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N Water St, Milwaukee
- Admission: Free – no tickets or reservations required
Open floor seating will be available in front of the orchestra for children and families, with traditional seating in the back of the hall.
For more information about the Pajama Jamboree series, 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/.