Festival City Symphony will close its classical season with an inspiring program that unites the voices of two compelling contemporary composers with the warmth of a Romantic symphonic gem. The concert will open with Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata da Chiesa, a radiant and expressive orchestral mass that blends lyrical elegance, joyful energy, and a heartfelt call for peace. Wisconsin-based composer Autumn Maria Reed, a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, offers her deeply personal Mental Health Suite that reflects her own journey of healing and resilience. Her music gives voice to those affected by trauma and affirms the power of art to restore and connect. The program concludes with Antonín Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony in G Major. This celebratory and beautifully crafted work weaves Czech folk melodies, classical form, and heartfelt emotion into a vibrant, uplifting finale. Don’t miss this moving afternoon of music that speaks to the soul, the spirit, and the strength of the human experience.

The Saturday Classics concert series welcomes newcomers and established symphony enthusiasts alike. Held at the magnificent Bradley Symphony Center (212 W Wisconsin Ave in Milwaukee), this concert series makes exceptional classical music accessible to all. Admission to Saturday Classics concerts is FREE with suggested donation. Saturday Classics concerts begin at 2:00pm, and include a pre-concert “Unlocking the Score” presentation on-stage at 1:30pm.

Gain a better understanding of each concert’s theme and learn the secrets of the composers by attending Festival City Symphony’s pre-concert presentation, “Unlocking the Score.” Music educator Lynn Roginske will help audience members of all ages listen for harmonies, watch for crescendos, and feel the music more deeply. All are invited to this free talk from stage, which begins thirty minutes prior to the concert start time.