The Jacksonville Symphony’s Jacoby Symphony Hall is undergoing a major renovation ahead of the 2026/27 Season, with completion scheduled for late August prior to the Symphony’s 77th Season. The project includes new seating, updated carpeting, enhanced acoustic elements and a new speaker system. It has been developed over more than two years in collaboration with Stages Consultants, Doherty Sommers Architects … Read More
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” — Plato As we reflect on 76 years of the Jacksonville Symphony, we’ve discovered very important individuals who were crucial to the formation of our great organization. Among these individuals is Greta Challen Berg, a vocalist, opera singer and teacher whose … Read More
The story of the Jacksonville Symphony is not just one of music and performances, but a story of families, legacy, and the lasting power of introducing young people to the arts. There are few families that illustrate this better than the Bryans. In a recent conversation with longtime supporter and former board chair, Jacob F. Bryan IV (J.F. IV), the … Read More
Steven B. Libman, President & CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony It is with great joy and excitement that we unveil the Jacksonville Symphony’s 75th Season. Over the past seven decades, the Symphony has served as the fabric of Jacksonville’s cultural landscape, weaving together the threads of music and community spirit through uplifting experiences. This milestone is a testament to our … Read More
Steven B. Libman, President & CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony Those who have attended a performance with the Jacksonville Symphony have likely seen the magnificent pipes of the Bryan Concert Organ that stretch behind the stage all the way to the ceiling. Affectionally called the heart of Jacoby Symphony Hall, the organ has the power to fill the … Read More
What made you gravitate towards Wayne Shorter’s music, and how did you approach the creative process when composing your arrangements of his pieces? “Wayne’s music is very melodic, harmonically rich and different. That’s what drew me in when I started learning more about jazz. A lot of jazz musicians were using standard tunes that likely originated from Broadway musicals or … Read More
Courtney Lewis, Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony On March 8 and 9, we present a program of French and American music featuring a world premiere by Courtney Bryan. Courtney was our first Mary Carr Patton Composer-in-Residence a few years ago, and we’re delighted that she’s written us a second piece, entitled “Visual Rhythms.” The piece takes its title from … Read More
What is your favorite part of the programming in these performances of Anna Clyne’s Restless Oceans, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise and his Second Symphony? “I definitely love all three pieces as well as the idea behind the program itself. One of the most lyrical symphonies goes after the most lyrical song ever written without words – Vocalise. The speechless voice of … Read More
Steven B. Libman, President & CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony Each December, the Jacksonville Symphony embarks on the most intense, and some might say exciting, part of our annual season. Within the span of three weeks, we will present 17 concerts before 21,000 patrons that celebrate the joy of the holiday season. Each of these programs creates magical, transformational … Read More
Author: Marianne Rice, Vice President of Music Education & DEI Initiatives Why is music education important? Some may think music education is a privilege. However, at its core, music is a universal language that creates the melodies of our lives, and music education is the necessary vehicle we use to transport students to other destinations and new levels of growth. … Read More
