The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO), the region’s premier professional orchestra, reveals an exhilarating 2023-24 season entitled A Season to Sing! The program highlights a fantastic array of internationally acclaimed guest artists and also feature the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, The Unified Gospel Choir, and the Voices of Northwest Florida.
On October 21, the NFSO presents War and Peace, a concert in honor of our military community. Selections include Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, the Florida premiere of Purple Mountains by rising star composer Shuying-Li, and Gustav Holst’s iconic masterpiece The Planets, accompanied by the incredible NASA imagery of our solar system.
This year is one of unprecedented collaboration.
On November 8, you will hear Sounds of the Spectrum, a concert benefitting the Emerald Coast Autism Center. The evening will feature internationally acclaimed artists operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee and trumpeter David Spencer, as well as artists from the Pensacola Opera in an evening of light opera, musical theater and gospel music. It is an event not-to-be missed and all tickets and donations will go to a great cause!
The first ever co-production with the Northwest Florida Ballet and the New Orleans Ballet Theatre on March 8 and 9, 2024, will feature Carmina Burana. With original choreography by NWF Ballet Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen and Artistic Director of New Orleans Ballet Theatre Gregory Schramel, this epic masterwork of the 20th century for orchestra, chorus, ballet and solo voices will utilize the Mattie Kelly Arts Center stage and pit to full capacity!
As always, the NFSO supports music education through it’s bourgeoning youth orchestra program: the NFSYO, and annual education concerts in January and March, as well as the annual John Leatherwood Concerto competition. A portion of every donation and ticket purchase to the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra helps benefit students and music education in our community.
The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra has something for everyone! Get your season subscription for all five concerts and also purchase your ticket for Sounds of the Spectrum by calling the MKAC box office at 850-729-6000 or purchase online at mattiekellyartscenter.org.
All concerts performed are held at the beautiful Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center on the campus of the Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The Messiah performances are at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Niceville and Point Washington United Methodist Church in Pt. Washington.
Schedule:
War and Peace: October 21, 7 p.m.
Sounds of the Spectrum: November 8, 7 p.m.
Handel’s Messiah: December 2, 7 p.m.*; December 3, 2:30 p.m**
*St. Paul Lutheran Church (Niceville)
**Point Washington United Methodist Church (Pt. Washington)
Holiday Pops: December 8, 7 p.m.
Stars of Tomorrow: February 10, 7 p.m.
Carmina Burana: March 9, 7:30 p.m./March 10, 2:30 p.m.
