The Charleston Symphony’s new season was created with two important goals in mind: to nurture its core audience and reach new patrons. That’s why the 2024-2025 season is titled “Music For Everyone,” said artistic director and concertmaster Yuriy Bekker.
“There is truly something for everyone in this next season of programming that I can’t wait to share with our community,” he told the City Paper. “In difficult times, music is always there to unite people. It’s this language that everybody can understand. To me personally, a great way to fulfill our mission is to bring people together through music.”
Engaging new audiences
Two overarching programs point to the goals of the 2024-2025 season: the Masterworks series and the Pops series. The eight shows in the Masterworks series offers a dynamic range of orchestral repertoire, featuring notable guest musicians and conductors. The lineup includes Rachmanioff’s “Third Piano Concerto,” Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto,” Debussy’s “La Mer,” and the not-to-be-missed performances of Gustav Mahler’s “Resurrection Symphony” (which is featured in the 2023 Oscar nominated film Maestro with actor Bradley Cooper acting as composer Leonard Bernstein).
“It is an enormous accomplishment for our orchestra to play Mahler,” Bekker said. “Musicians love Mahler — he gives everybody something to do and everyone is featured. It’s a long and epic symphony, and it has all the elements of life and death. We had to get special risers for the chorus because it needs so many voices. There’s offstage brass instruments. … It’s a huge undertaking and something that is rarely done in Charleston.”
There’s also a program featuring classical guitar with conductor José Luis Gomez
— a type of Masterworks concert which has not been done before in the organization’s 90-year history, Bekker noted.
The orchestra opens its Pops Series with a vibrant celebration of symphonic jazz featuring the legendary Byron Stripling, who will lead the Charleston Symphony in music from Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. There’s a throwback Pops concert to the great movie soundtracks of the 80s, including Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Rocky and more, featuring actress Jean Louise Kelly. And enjoy an evening of music from James Bond films with singer Chloe Lowery.
“If you’ve never been to a Symphony performance, try a Pops concert to get your feet wet,” Bekker advised. “Maybe you are worried about classical music — so I say give Pops a try. You’ll find music from your favorite films, holiday classics or the totally 80’s show we’ve got this season.”
Another historic first in store this season is the symphony’s upcoming performances in New York City in February 2025. Alongside its youth orchestra and College of Charleston Orchestra, the Symphony will perform at the iconic Carnegie Hall.
And keep an eye out for more details about the partnership with the Gaillard Center to present the Richmond Ballet in “Carmina Burana” this October.
“The orchestra is a cornerstone of the arts community in our state, and we want to make it accessible and interesting for everybody.”
Buy tickets or create-your-own package of six concerts and save at charlestonsymphony.org.
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