JSO Celebrates 75 Years of Music, Memories, and Community
The Jackson Symphony Orchestra wraps up its 75th Classical Concert Series with a special celebration on April 26, 2025, at 7:30pm at the Potter Center (2111 Emmons Rd). This special concert blends music, videos, and reflections from the past 75 years and brings together some of JSO’s longtime artistic partners.
“To mark this milestone, we’re presenting the concert in a collage format, featuring compositions and people who have been especially meaningful to Stephen Osmond, to me, and to the JSO,” said Jackson Symphony Orchestra Music Director Matthew Aubin.
Performing alongside the JSO are the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Chelsea, Jackson Chorale, Jackson School of the Arts, Northwest 7/8 Treble Choir and Albion College. The concert also welcomes back former Music Director Stephen Osmond and guest artists Mitsuru Kubo, Ralph Votapek, Richard Sherman, Emily Douglass and composer Horacio Fernández.
The program features a mix of well-known favorites and exciting new selections. The evening opens with the festive Fledermaus Overture by Johann Strauss, Jr., followed by Edward Elgar’s emotional Nimrod from Enigma Variations and César Franck’s lyrical Symphonic Variations.
Other works include the powerful Finale from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, the fiery Ritual Fire Dance by Manuel de Falla, and a beautiful arrangement of Debussy’s Clair de lune.
Audiences will also enjoy Howard Hanson’s warm Serenade, Horacio Fernández’s rhythmic Bachata from Tumbao, and Fernande Decruck’s elegant Noel. The celebration concludes with Borodin’s dramatic Polovtsian Dance with Chorus from Prince Igor.
Pre-Concert Conversation: Join us at 6:30pm before the concert for a special Pre-Concert Conversation, featuring Stephen Osmond and Matthew Aubin, hosted by WKAR’s Jamie Paisley.
Thank you to our sponsors: Consumers Energy, Dawn Foods, Alro Steel, Albion College, Rehmann, Tom and Sue Rochester, Jackson Symphony Guild, Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Huntington Bank.
