The Georgia Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce its 2025-26 season in celebration of the organization’s 75th season. Led by Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville, the multifaceted arts organization continues to set itself apart by offering an array of innovative orchestral, choral, jazz, family, and sensory-friendly programming.
“At its heart, the GSO’s 75th season is a celebration of the transformative power of live music. Over the decades, this orchestra has grown not just in size but in spirit. We’re continually pushing artistic boundaries while staying rooted in community. It’s a privilege to lead these musicians in a season that honors our past and embraces the bold possibilities ahead,” said Timothy Verville, GSO Music Director and Conductor.
Classics Series
The Symphony’s 75th season begins on Saturday, October 25, with Drama and Destiny: Opera Meets Broadway, a sweeping musical journey through timeless stories of love, power, and passion. Internationally acclaimed soprano Indra Thomas joins the GSO and GSO Chorus for a powerful program featuring iconic selections from Verdi’s Aida, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, and Puccini’s Tosca and Gianni Schicchi. The evening also includes beloved Broadway favorites from Wicked and West Side Story, and a medley tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Symphonic sound and captivating jazz collide in Big Band and Beyond on February 7 as the Symphony joins forces with GSO Jazz! This electrifying concert will include selections from Charlie Parker with Strings, the Latin jazz hit La Suerte de los Tontos, the bossa nova classic Desafinado, and medleys celebrating Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Symphony meets swing in a high-energy tribute to jazz past and present in this concert featuring GSO Jazz! director Sam Skelton on saxophone.
This memorable season concludes with GSO 75: A Musical Celebration on May 23. This milestone performance will be a community-wide celebration of legacy and future. Over 200 performers will take the stage at Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center, including the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers, the Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus, the Georgia Spiritual Ensemble, and the extraordinary young musicians of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO). Together, they will perform selections from Holst’s The Planets and the transcendent final movements of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony in a breathtaking display of musical unity and excellence.
Holiday Pops
The beloved holiday tradition Holiday Pops returns on December 6 and 7. Audiences of all ages are invited to this festive celebration featuring new and classic holiday hits, a lively sing-along, and photo opportunities with Santa. Holiday Pops is the perfect way to share the season with friends, family, and the community.
GSO Jazz!
Mas Que Nada: The Music of Sergio Mendes on February 28 will have audiences feeling the rhythms of Brazil with an irresistible blend of bossa nova, samba, and jazz of Sergio Mendes in this lively concert. This unforgettable performance celebrates the iconic Brazilian pianist and composer whose signature blend of bossa nova, samba, and jazz has captivated audiences around the world.
GSO Chorus
The GSO Chorus, led by director Bryan Black, will perform Anniversary Songbook on March 22. This uplifting program honors the ensemble’s rich legacy while embracing new musical voices.
Family and Sensory-Friendly Concert Series
In keeping with its commitment to bringing live music to members of the region’s underserved communities, the GSO will offer sensory-friendly concerts on October 11 and March 28. The series offers two separate performances, one designed specifically for individuals with sensory sensitivities and one designed to be an introductory orchestra experience for young children. Both concerts offer a pre-concert instrument “petting zoo” and a quiet room.
Leading the Next Generation of Musicians
The GSO is also the parent organization of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYSO), one of the top 10 largest youth orchestra programs in the nation. GYSO serves elementary through high school students across the metro Atlanta region, providing an inclusive and enriching musical environment for all skill levels. The 2025-26 season marks the GYSO’s 20th anniversary. Performance details will be announced soon and will be available at GYSO.org.
Additional Programming
In addition to an exciting line-up of concerts, the GSO’s Diamond Anniversary season will include special events, exclusive opportunities, community celebrations, and more. Stay tuned for details! For the latest updates, sign up for GSO’s bi-monthly e-newsletter and follow us on social media @georgiasymphony.
“This 75th season means so much to all of us. We’re celebrating a legacy built by passionate musicians and visionary leaders. This milestone is both a tribute and an invitation to honor where we’ve been and to imagine what’s next and to invite our community to join us on that journey,” said Suzanne Tucker, GSO Executive Director.
From iconic symphonic masterpieces to joyful holiday traditions and innovative community programs, the GSO’s Diamond Season promises something extraordinary for everyone.
Season subscriptions are now on sale, and they’re the best way to experience the full spectrum of programming created for the Diamond Anniversary, from tributes to the organization’s past to bold steps toward its future. Individual concert tickets go on sale August 4.
Secure your seats now for this landmark season and be part of the GSO’s next legendary chapter. Visit GeorgiaSymphony.org for more information.
