The Springfield Symphony Association began in 1934 as an idea to bring together local musicians who wanted to perform for the community. The first Springfield Symphony concert was given on February 26, 1935.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is “Puttin’ on the Ritz” in its 90th anniversary season with nine performances at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Arts. In a press release, the organization noted that it has evolved every year since 1935, through war and peace, prosperity and poverty — and even a pandemic.
“Through good times and bad, we have continually made music for the people of Springfield and Southwest Missouri, bringing our community together to share in the excitement and beauty of hearing a live symphony orchestra,” the press release said.
The season celebrates “how the arts can connect us across the years”
The theme of Puttin’ on the Ritz ties back to the orchestra’s origins in the 1930s. The decade was a time of political turmoil and the Great Depression. It was also an era of transformative new movements in the arts, including Art Deco and the consolidation of jazz as a true American art form.
“We look to those songs that became standards in our founding decade as inspiration for our concerts this year and celebrate how the arts can connect us over the years,” the press release reads.
The season kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 with Puttin’ on the Ritz. The performance includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s triumphant “Procession of the Nobles” and, for the first time in Springfield Symphony history, Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, a musical portrait of life in Russia under Stalin. The evening also includes Grieg’s “Piano Concerto,” an audience favorite, performed by Steinway artist Spencer Myer.
The symphony teams up with Missouri State University’s Department of Theater and Dance on November 16, 2024, for Lullaby of Broadway. It’s a concert version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel,” with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra supporting MSU students and featuring new faculty member Josh Young, fresh off Broadway in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Amazing Grace.”
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s In the Mood holiday concert is scheduled for December 7, 2024 and features the Mid-American Singers. The lineup includes selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and from the orchestra’s annual festival.
The season ends with S’Wonderful on May 3, 2025. The orchestra will collaborate with the St. Louis for this show, which features several different dances set to jazz music by George Gershwin, Richard Rogers and other Broadway composers.
Other performances in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s 90th season are:
- October 5, 2024: I Got Rhythm
- November 16, 2024: Broadway Lullabies
- January 11, 2025: Daylight Savings Time
- February 8, 2025: And the angels sing
- March 1, 2025: Stormy weather
- April 5, 2025: My Reverie
Season tickets for the 2024-2025 season are now on sale. Information can be found on the Springfield Symphony Orchestra website.
Auditions scheduled for six positions for the 2024-2025 season
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is holding auditions for six positions for the 2024-2025 performance season. Are:
- Concert assistant
- The main cello
- Assistant Director Viola
- Bass Section (2 positions)
- Flute 3/Piccolo
- Bassoon 2
String auditions will be held on the evening of Monday, August 19th, and wind auditions on the evening of Tuesday, August 20th.
To receive an audition packet and secure an audition time, send a one-page resume and a $30 refundable credit card deposit by August 10 to [emailprotected]. Deposits can be made by phone at (417) 864-6683.
Candidates will receive a full deposit back upon arrival at the audition or if cancellation is received at least one week prior to the audition date. No telephone directory will be provided. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra Audition Committee reserves the right to reject the resume of any applicant who does not meet the qualified standards. The orchestra is a non-union orchestra per service, with approximately 40 services available each season. Mileage and accommodation are provided when applicable.
Replacement auditions are available throughout the year. To apply as a substitute, submit a one-page resume to the Operations Manager to receive an audition packet. At any time of the year, candidates can submit an uncut video of their audition materials and email them to the operations manager. These will be forwarded to the Music Director and applicable Director for consideration.
More information about auditions is available by emailing the operations manager.
Jeff Kessinger
Jeff Kessinger is the Reader Engagement Editor for the Springfield Daily Citizen and the voice of its daily SGF AM news bulletin. He has covered sports in Southwest Missouri for nearly 20 years, from youth athletes to the pros. The Springfield native and Missouri State University graduate is excited to be doing journalism in the Queen City, helping to connect the community with important information. He and wife Jamie try daily to keep a tent on the circus, which is a blended family of five kids and three cats. More by Jeff Kessinger
