The opening concert of the 2024 – 2025 Season features a wonderful work by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.  His Symphony No. 1 (1899) is full of evocative melodies and a huge orchestra, including harp, and seems to paint in tones the countryside and feeling of Finland: stark fields of snow, deep, ancient forests, the northern lights.  Although this piece might be new to you, it is one of our favorite symphonies because of all the great brass writing and lovely tunes.  We’ll start this exciting concert with a work from American composer William Grant Still.  Peaceful, serene, and uplifting describe his Serenade (1957).  One more piece will round out this concert; this composition is from French composer Maurice Ravel.  It is a wild ride of a work that reimagines the waltz, but this one isn’t so refined and nearly loses its composure!  La valse (1920) makes use of the huge more...

In many ways, these concerts for our fifth-graders are why we do what we do.  We’ll have every seat filled with youngsters excited to be out of school for an hour, but maybe not really quite sure what to expect (even though we do send curriculum out to all of our partner schools to prepare their students!).  Almost none will have ever heard a symphony orchestra in person.  We’ll introduce the instruments of the orchestra and play lots of classical music.  We’ll also play a few movie themes that they will undoubtedly recognize.  The high point of the concert might be that all of these students will get to sing a song (after we actually rehearse together) with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra!  From our fun narration to the beautiful programs we hand out, this concert is designed just for these new concertgoers. If you’d like to see something that will more...

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Pops just may be the very best way to start your holiday season.  Mark your calendar now and get your tickets early; they’ll go fast, especially the reserved round tables near the front of the hall.  But all of the floor seating is at decorated tables, so bring snacks to enjoy during the concert.  We’ll provide the music and also special guests and entertainment!  Pops is in the Sid Richardson Center at Austin College and we’ll decorate, not only the tables, but the entire hall with trees and lights and more.  Don’t miss these special concerts.  We’ll have you singing and smiling and ready for the holidays.  And Santa will be in attendance, so be on your best behavior and bring the kids to meet him–all ages are welcome. more...

Beethoven composed nine symphonies and every one is a masterpiece; of all the composers who wrote symphonies, it might be that this can be said only of Beethoven.  If you’re familiar with his Fifth Symphony or his Ninth Symphony, come hear Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and see if we’re right.    Each movement (there are four) has a characteristic rhythm that gives it life and drive; so pervasive are these wonderful rhythms that Wagner said of this symphony that it is “dance in its most exalted form, the most blissful of physical movement made manifest in sound.”  You might not be persuaded to get up and dance, but the joyful feeling of this symphony will definitely have you tapping your toes.  This concert, coming right before spring arrives in north Texas, will move you and brighten your feelings! more...

Every season should end with a great finale–and this one’s a doozy!  Join us for Opera At the SSO with Puccini‘s great La bohème.  It’s the story for four young artists sharing a cold attic apartment in Paris; no money, not much food, no heat, but high spirits and high hopes.  Rudolfo meets the love of his life, Mimi, and the rest is the tale of their sometimes difficult relationship.  You will be thrilled by our wonderful young cast, their terrific singing, and the gorgeous music by Puccini.  It will be a beautiful evening not to be missed.  Bring someone you love, or maybe invite friends who don’t yet know they love classical music.  You’ll be glad you did. more...