The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has announced its 79th season, featuring eight concerts that showcase the connective power of music through collaborations, guest artists and programming that spans centuries and genres. Under the leadership of music director Michael Butterman, this season will offer experiences for audiences of all ages.

The season will launch on Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 5, with "Pictures at an Exhibition," a celebration of the connection between visual and musical arts. The program features Carlos Simon's "The Block," Hindemith's "Mathis der Maler" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" in Ravel's orchestration. The LSO's third annual season-opening silent auction will also take place throughout the weekend, with post-concert celebrations following each performance.

The season also includes two collaborations that highlight Lancaster's cultural landscape. In December, the LSO will partner with the Fulton Theatre for "Best of Broadway," featuring Lancaster's Fulton stars performing classics and modern favorites with a live symphony orchestra.

In March, the orchestra will join forces with LancasterHistory for Stevens & Smith, celebrating America's semiquincentennial and the grand opening of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy with music by Copland and Dawson and the world premiere of Lancaster composer D. Michael Wege's "Second Founding."

One unique offering will be featured in April, with "Revolution: The Music of the Beatles - A Symphonic Experience" at the Lancaster County Convention Center. The concert will combine the LSO with a live rock band and vocalists performing more than 25 of the Beatles' greatest hits alongside rare archival visuals and multimedia presentations.

World-renowned guest artists will grace the LSO stage throughout the season. Violinist William Hagen will return following his sold-out 2024 performance to perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in November. Internationally acclaimed pianist Natasha Paremski will present Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto in January's all-Prokofiev program. The season will conclude in May with pianist Jiusi Zhang, winner of the 2025 Lancaster International Piano Festival Competition, performing Mozart alongside Holst's "The Planets" with live NASA imagery.

Holiday traditions will continue with the LSO's annual presentation of Handel's "Messiah" at First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster in December, featuring the 90-voice Lancaster Symphony Chorus under the direction of William Wright.

The LSO continues its commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians through comprehensive education and outreach programs that reach more than 21,000 individuals annually, including the Rising Stars Concerto Competition, Free Student Concert, StandPartners and Play It Forward.

Ticket information, season subscriptions, multi-concert packages and individual concert tickets are now available. The LSO offers flexible subscription options and has added Sunday matinee performances to make concerts more accessible. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.lancastersymphony.org or by calling the box office at 717-291-6440.

For more information about the 2025-26 season and upcoming performances, visit the aforementioned website or follow the LSO on social media using the handle @lancastersymphony.