July 8, 2024

“From the appearance of violinist superstar Ray Chen to a performance of the movie Jurassic Park, the very first live film in concert by the WSO, our season has much to look forward to. We will visit the classics like Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica,” as well as newer voices, including Missy Mazzoli and Quinn Mason. I can’t wait to see you at the concert hall,” said Lawrence Loh, Waco Symphony Music Director.

The 2024-2025 season consists of four classical performances and two special performances. Season ticket packages are available for renewal now through August 11 and include one ticket to each of the four classical concerts. Season ticket renewers also have exclusive priority access to purchase tickets to WSO special performances of The Nutcracker and Jurassic Park in Concert. Order early to secure the best seats for your family and friends to these not-to-be-missed performances!

Classical Performances

Rhapsody in Blue
October 3, 2024

The opening concert of Maestro Lawrence Loh’s first season as Music Director celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with pianist Orli Shaham. In addition to performing with orchestras all over the world, Shaham is the co-host of NPR’s From the Top, a winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and a faculty member at The Juilliard School. Our concert will explore new frontiers with the rhythmic Danzón No. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez. Aaron Copland’s powerful Third Symphony remains one of the most iconic American symphonies and features his popular Fanfare for the Common Man. Embark on this musical journey that will delight the soul!

Jon Nakamatsu Plays Rachmaninoff
November 7, 2024

Winner of the Gold Medal at the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Jon Nakamatsu will be featured in the ever-popular Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff. The inventive and talented Dallas-based composer Quinn Mason will delight audiences with his 2023 work called Inspiration! – Festive Overture. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” is inspired by the memory of a hero and is one of the most revolutionary symphonies ever written.

Violin Superstar Ray Chen
January 21, 2025

Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, violinist Ray Chen has exploded on social media over the past decade where he has nearly a million fans on Instagram! His creative and hilarious videos have sparked a new generation of music lovers. He is the very definition of a 21st Century classical music superstar. Ray will be joining Maestro Loh and the Waco Symphony to perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Missy Mazzoli’s Sinfonia for Orbiting Spheresfeatures the full orchestra along with a set of harmonicas and, you guessed it, a boom box. Prokofiev’s massive Symphony No. 5, written during World War II, will be performed in the second half. It is a symphony inspired by humanity’s pure and noble spirit.

From Yellowstone to the Mountaintop
April 3, 2025

Our season finale will take us on a scenic journey! Principal

Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic Anthony McGill performs Richard Danielpour’s Clarinet Concerto “From the Mountaintop”inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., and the orchestra will perform Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 “Organ” featuring the Dallas Symphony’s Resident Organist and Baylor graduate, Bradley Hunter Welch. This symphony has been featured in several television shows and films, most famously in Babe (1995). Conveying a pioneering spirit, the orchestra will also perform Brian Tyler’s theme to Yellowstone from the hit TV series!

Special Performances

The Nutcracker
December 14 and 15, 2024

With toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, you won’t want to miss The Nutcracker—a treasured holiday tradition and the only production with a live orchestra in Central Texas. Back by popular demand, Ballet Frontier returns to Waco to inspire a childlike wonder in all of us.

With its cast comprised of professional dancers, talented local students, dazzling costumes, world-class choreography, and the Waco Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score under the baton of Maestro Beau Benson (Music Director/Conductor of the Temple Symphony Orchestra and the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra), the stage is set for an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Jurassic Park in Concert
March 22, 2025

Relive the magic of Jurassic Park on the big screen accompanied by a thrilling, live performance of the Waco Symphony Orchestra. 

The action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, this epic film is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making.

Now audiences can experience Jurassic Park as never before: projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture. 

Ticket Information

Through August 18, renewals for season tickets will be on sale for the upcoming “New Frontiers” season. New season ticket packages are also available. As a special benefit for season ticket subscribers, individual tickets for The Nutcracker and Jurassic Park in Concert will be available to them when renewing/purchasing season tickets. Individual performance tickets will go on sale on September 5.

If you purchased season tickets last season, look for an email from Waco Hall Ticket Office (whtickets@baylor.edu) with instructions on renewing your season tickets.