SARASOTA, Fla. (April 21, 2025) – Sarasota Orchestra is starting an exciting new chapter with the unveiling of its 2025-2026 season, marking the highly anticipated first season curated under the artistic leadership of acclaimed Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.

Under the theme “The Sound of Change,” Guerrero programmed a season inspired by the musical tapestry of America, reflecting the cultural mosaic of the United States as it nears its 250^th anniversary in 2026.

While showcasing the classics, the season’s programs also highlight how American composers past and present represent the Sound of Change. Audiences will enjoy music from Gershwin and Ives to Jennifer Higdon and other contemporary voices, alongside masterworks by Beethoven, Mahler, Tchaikovsky and Mozart. Through this combination of rich and varied musical selections, Sarasota Orchestra invites the community to explore how music both reflects and shapes the changing American experience.

The 2025-2026 season arrives at a transformative moment for the organization, as Sarasota Orchestra moves forward with plans for a new Music Center. Guerrero’s debut programs echo the spirit of the organization’s evolution, blending timeless repertoire with bold new works and initiatives.

The season is anchored by five signature concert series – Masterworks, Pops, Discoveries, Great Escapes and Chamber Soirées – detailed below. Watch Guerrero preview the season here: https://youtu.be/l2eIfTsqENI

The Masterworks series takes a journey through musical landscapes both real and imagined. Audiences will experience the bold colors of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, the electrifying energy of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, and the sweeping drama of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Celebrated soloists, including pianist Alessio Bax, cellist Zlatomir Fung and violin prodigy Himari, headline this season’s guest performances. In celebration of the United States’ 250^th anniversary, Masterworks will also shine a spotlight on American composers past and present, from Gershwin to Adolphus Hailstork. With music that stirs the soul and ignites the imagination, each Masterworks concert promises a powerful and unforgettable experience. Masterworks performances take place at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota and the Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton.

Symphonic Dances – November 7-9 | Van Wezel

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Alessio Bax, piano

Jennifer Higdon – blue cathedral

Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1

Rachmaninoff – Symphonic Dances

Close Encounters – December 6-7 | Van Wezel

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, guitar

Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Rodrigo – Concierto de Aranjuez

John Williams – Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Respighi – Pines of Rome

Pictures at an Exhibition – January 16, Neel PAC | January 17-18, Van Wezel

Peter Oundjian, conductor | Himari, violin

Michael Abels – Amplify

Bruch – Violin Concerto No. 1

Mussorgsky/arr. Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition

Variations on America – February 12, Neel PAC | February 13-15, Van Wezel

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Clayton Stephenson, piano

Adolphus Hailstork – An American Port of Call

Gershwin – Concerto in F

Ives/arr. Schuman – Variations on “America”

Dawson – Negro Folk Symphony

Rite of Spring – February 27-28, March 1 | Van Wezel

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Benjamin Beilman, violin

Joan Tower – 1920/2019

Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 (Turkish)

Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring

Beethoven’s Fifth – March 19, Neel PAC | March 20-22, Van Wezel

Katharina Wincor, conductor | Zlatomir Fung, cello

Brahms – Academic Festival Overture

Dvořák – Cello Concerto

Beethoven – Symphony No. 5

Bernstein and Mahler – April 17-19, Van Wezel

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Chee-Yun, violin

Bernstein – Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium)

Mahler – Symphony No. 5

The Pops series brings beloved songs and showstopping performances to life with the full power of Sarasota Orchestra. From Broadway blockbusters to bluesy favorites and cinematic legends, each concert features unforgettable melodies and dynamic guest vocalists. Pops performances take place at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

On Broadway: Defying Gravity – January 30-31

Evan Roider, conductor

Jessica Hendry, vocals

Kelli Rabke, vocals

Scott Coulter, vocals

When the Saints Go Marching In – March 13-14

Byron Stripling, conductor

Crystal Monee Hall, vocals

Bond and Beyond – April 24-25

Christopher Confessore, conductor

Morgan James, vocals

The Discoveries series features bite-sized programs delighting both devotees and newcomers to great chamber orchestra repertoire. In 75 minutes without intermission, next season’s series will showcase hidden classics of Beethoven, Mozart and more, plus a concert highlighting the esteemed American composer Aaron Copland. The series concludes with a powerful finale pairing Schubert’s famed “Unfinished” Symphony with works by Haydn and Julia Perry. Discoveries performances take place at the Sarasota Opera House.

Hidden Treasures – October 4

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Oliver Herbert, cello

Beethoven – Overture to Fidelio

Tchaikovsky – Variations on a Rococo Theme (original version)

Mahler – Blumine

Mozart – Symphony No. 31 (Paris)

Copland: An American Journey – January 4

David Alan Miller, conductor | William Socolof, baritone

Copland – Appalachian SpringSuite

Movements and Selections from: Rodeo Suite, Old American Songs, Music for the Theatre Suite, The Red Pony Film Suite, Orchestral Variations

Unfinished Business – May 16

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Schubert – Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished)

Perry – Short Piece for Orchestra

Haydn – Symphony No. 45 (Farewell)

Great Escapes is one of Sarasota Orchestra’s most popular series, offering a diverse mix of fan-favorite tunes, light classics and conductor commentary. A few programs for the coming season include “Bugs, Bats and Birds,” “Love Notes” and “Starry Night.”Great Escapes performances take place at Holley Hall.

Bugs, Bats, and Birds – October 15-18

Stuart Chafetz, conductor

Oh, What Fun! – December 10-14

Chelsea Gallo, conductor

Under the Big Top – January 7-11

Evan Roider, conductor

Love Notes – February 4-8

Matthew Troy, conductor

Dance the Night Away – March 4-8

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Starry Night – May 6-9

Christopher Confessore, conductor

The Chamber Soirées series offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with Sarasota Orchestra musicians as they perform magnificent, small ensemble works. The fourth concert in the series includes a rare treat as Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero visits the Chamber Soirée stage for a program of “miniature masterworks.” Other programs feature string and piano quartets, classics for wind and brass instruments, and more. Chamber Soirées performances take place at Holley Hall.

Serenades and Symphony – September 28

R. Strauss – Serenade for Winds

Dvořák – Serenade for Strings

Mozart – Symphony No. 25 in G Minor

Mendelssohn and Maslanka – October 30

Eric Ewazen – Frost Fire

Maslanka – Wind Quintet No. 4

Mendelssohn – String Quartet No. 6

Strauss and Higdon – November 16

Jennifer Higdon– Book of Brass

R. Strauss – Piano Quartet

Miniature Masterworks – February 19

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Stravinksy – Danses concertantes

Wagner – Siegfried Idyll

Schoenberg – Chamber Symphony No. 1

Mozart in March – March 15

Dohnányi – Serenade for string trio

Jongen – Deux pièces en trio for flute, cello and harp

Mozart – Quintet for Piano and Winds

Sounds of the Americas – April 26

Ginastera – String Quartet No. 1

Crespo – Suite Americana No. 1

Paquito D’Rivera – Aires Tropicales

Three special concerts highlight Sarasota Orchestra’s 2025-2026 season, each offering a distinctive and memorable experience. The season opens with Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in concert, as the Orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score live alongside the epic film on the big screen. In January, Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero will take the lead on the Orchestra’s annual gala event, an elegant evening of fine dining, inspiring music and community celebration. Then in April, Outdoor Pops returns to Ed Smith Stadium with Tropical Rock for Five O’Clock … Somewhere, a high-energy tribute to Jimmy Buffet and other iconic tropical artists.

Movie Pops – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – October 24-25

Full film projected with musical score performed live by Sarasota Orchestra at the Van Wezel

Orchestra Gala – January 22

An unforgettable evening of dining and community, with music conducted by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero at the Ritz-Carlton

Outdoor Pops – Tropical Rock for Five O’Clock … Somewhere – April 10-11

A celebration of legendary tropical music songs of Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley and more, performed live at Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium

About Sarasota Orchestra:

Since 1949, Sarasota Orchestra has inspired and entertained music lovers across the region and visitors from around the world. Each year, the 76-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops, chamber music and community outreach concerts. Sarasota Orchestra’s mission also extends to music education, including its acclaimed Sarasota Youth Orchestra programs and the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival. For more information, visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org.