2026–2027 Season

Rising Stars Concert Calendar

Six extraordinary evenings await. Explore this season's full lineup — every date, program, and featured soloist — and reserve your seat to experience it live.

2026–27 Season Brochure Download the Full Season Brochure (PDF) Listen to the Season Preview every program on Spotify & Apple Music before you buy.

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Showing 6 of 6 concerts

September 19, 2026

Season Opener: Symphonic Flashbang!

Conductor: Dr. Kevin P. Bartram

Feel the thunder of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

from $35

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Tchaikovsky — Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 I. Andante con moto — Allegro di molto II. Andantino in modo di canzona III. Scherzo: Pizzicato ostinato IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco — Intermission — Copland — Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo" I. Buckaroo Holiday II. Corral Nocturne III. Saturday Night Waltz IV. Hoe-Down Tchaikovsky — 1812 Overture, Op. 49

Tickets are now on sale.

October 24, 2026

NEW! Classical Masterworks Series

Featuring Timothy Chooi, Violin

Conductor: Dr. Kevin P. Bartram

Experience an unforgettable evening of Bach, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky — three of classical music's most enduring masterpieces in a single program.

Internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi takes center stage in Tchaikovsky's monumental Violin Concerto, bringing breathtaking virtuosity, expressive depth, and a fresh, fearless energy to one of the most demanding and beloved works ever written for the instrument.

from $35

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Bach — Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 Mozart — Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550 — Intermission — Tchaikovsky — Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 (Timothy Chooi, Violin)

Tickets go on sale September 14 for Symphony Supporters (Sept. 21 for the General Public).

Saturday, December 19, 2026

Holiday Pops

Conductor: Dr. Kevin P. Bartram

Singalong carols, twinkling lights — your new family tradition.

from $35

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"Christmas Bells Are Ringing" — one show only, with special guests the Stafford Handbell Society and The Spotsylvanians Chorus Matt Riley — A Christmas Overture (World Premiere · with Stafford Handbell Society) Prokofiev — Troika from Lt. Kijé Suite Danny Elfman — The Nightmare Before Christmas Suite arr. Dan Goeller — Ave Maria (Jason Russo, Clarinet) — Salute to the FSO Woodwinds — Victor Hely-Hutchinson — Carol Symphony (Scherzo) — Salute to the FSO Brass — arr. Ralph Carmichael — Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Zachary Smith — Soul JingleNova Bob Krogstad & Smith — The Bells of Christmas (Stafford Handbell Society) — Intermission — John Williams — Sound the Bells Alfred Burt, arr. Tucker/Smith — Caroling, Caroling Émile Waldteufel — The Skaters' Waltz John Debney — Elf: Buddy and Santa's Flight arr. Joslin — What Child Is This? Medley (James Pitts, Piano · John Keane, Cello · Robyn Bauer, Violin) arr. Joslin — O Holy Night (James Pitts, Piano · Robyn Bauer, Violin) Livingston & Evans, arr. Dobrinski/Smith — Silver Bells (Stafford Handbell Society) Irving Berlin — White Christmas arr. Joslin/Smith — Finale: Christmas Medley (The Spotsylvanians Chorus)

Tickets go on sale November 2 for Symphony Supporters (Nov. 9 for the General Public).

Saturday, February 13, 2027

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor

Featuring George Li, Piano

Conductor: Dr. Kevin P. Bartram

A new generation of performers—at full power.

from $35

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Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor — full program

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor

Tickets go on sale January 4 for Symphony Supporters (Jan. 11 for the General Public).

April 10, 2027

Let's Go on Safari!

Conductor: Dr. Kevin P. Bartram

One hour, zero boredom — the concert kids actually ask to revisit.

from $20 · kids free

Jeff Corwin, Emmy-winning wildlife biologist and narrator

Emmy-winning Host Jeff Corwin, narrator Bio (PDF)

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Let's Go On Safari!

Carnival of the Animals — Saint-Saëns
1. Introduction and Royal March of the Lion
2. Hens and Roosters
3. Tortoises
4. The Elephant
5. Kangaroos
6. Aquarium
7. Aviary
8. The Swan
9. Finale
Madagascar 2 Suite — Hans Zimmer
Zoo Song — Gregory Smith
Wild Symphony — Dan Brown
1. Maestro Mouse
2. Woodbird Welcome
3. Bouncing Kangaroo
4. Clumsy Kittens
5. The Ray
6. Happy Hippo
Finale/Parade: The Lion King Orchestra Suite — Hans Zimmer

Gear up for a delightful musical safari in this whimsical family-friendly program featuring Camille Saint-Saëns' The Carnival of the Animals. We'll travel through the outback with Greg Smith's adorable Zoo Song and hear animals come to life with the Wild Symphony, Madagascar 2, and The Lion King. The FSO's salute to animals is an event that's perfect for children, newcomers to classical music, and anyone young at heart.