AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
106th SEASON 2025-26
“Stars on a field of blue; one for each colony; bars of red, for the blood of sacrifice; on a ground of white for love and peace.”
- Betsy Ross
Greetings, USM Symphony Patrons!
It is my great pleasure to announce our upcoming 106th season - American Perspectives. As our country prepares to turn 250, we are delighted to share in the cultural richness that continues to shape our great land. From landmark works by George Gershwin and Aaron Copland, to modern masterpieces by John Adams and George Walker, to trailblazing creations from Mary Lou Williams and Julia Wolfe, there is so much to explore. The rich symbolism of our nation’s flag serves as inspiration for an exciting musical journey.
After an exhilarating first year together, our talented musicians and I are also eager to perform some of the greatest music the world has ever heard, including the final symphonies of both Mozart and Brahms.
We look forward to sharing the stage with the acclaimed Aaron Diehl Trio, cellist extraordinaire Alexander Russakovsky, William T. Gower competition winners, and the voices of the Hattiesburg Choral Union. What a season we have in store for you!
Join us, bring a friend, and help us spread the word for one of Mississippi’s true cultural gems – your USM Symphony Orchestra!
With every flag we create, we weave the tapestry of America." - Betsy Ross
Opening Night
Field of Blue
Thursday, September 25, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.
The Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium
Our season opens with the unbridled optimism of John Adams’ exuberant fanfare and the poignant lyricism of George Walker’s lament for a beloved grandmother. Haydn’s dazzling 2nd cello concerto will feature our own Alexander Russakovsky. Brahms’ final symphony is a masterpiece of technique meeting expression and is one of the finest works of the Romantic era.
PROGRAM
John Adams – Short Ride in a Fast Machine George Walker – Lyric for Strings
Franz Joseph Haydn – Cello Concerto No. 2 in D with Alexander Russakovsky
Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 4 in E Minor
Russakovsky
“When we honor our flag we honor what we stand for as a Nation — freedom, equality, justice, and hope.”
- Ronald Reagan
Die Fledermaus
By Johann Strauss II
October 30 and 31, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. November 1, 2025 – 1 p.m. The Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium
With familiar music and, of course, waltzes, the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company returns to the stage with a comedy that sparkles with period charm. A prince throws the costume party of the century, and everyone is determined to be there. Two gentleman attendees, out for a night out on the town, are pranked by one of their wives and her maid. This soon escalates into an epic battle of the sexes, filled with disguises, flirtations and comedic deceptions. No matter how the evening ends, one thing is for sure — you can blame it on the champagne!
Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company (2005)
"A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers, The banner of the Western land. The emblem of the brave and true." - John Philip Sousa
November 6, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.
The Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium
Our season continues with two works inspired by the heavens. Mary Lou Williams is best known as a teacher and mentor to a “who’s who list” of jazz icons such as Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and Dizzy Gillespie. Aaron Diehl, one of the foremost jazz pianists of our time, has traveled the world championing “Zodiac” Suites with its melding of jazz and classical ideas. Mozart’s final symphony places a tremendous coda on his symphonic legacy with his legendary grasp of melody and drama.
PROGRAM
Mary Lou Williams – Zodiac Suite with the Aaron Diehl Trio Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 41 in C - Jupiter
Diehl
“Each voice singing carols is a note of peace in the American choir.” – Langston Hughes (adapted)
Holiday Choral Spectacular
December 2 and 4, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. Main St. Baptist Church
Don’t miss this annual community celebration of the season with choir and orchestra. Our program features all the ensembles within Southern Miss Choral Activities, including the Southern Chorale, Southern Miss Concert Choir, and Southern Miss pop a cappella ensemble, Spirit of Southern, with the full Hattiesburg Choral Union presenting Morten Lauridsen’s radiant strains of eternal light. Strauss’ 1872 trip to the U.S. inspired a series of compositions, including his festive welcoming waltz. Our holiday tradition will have you singing along and dancing toward a new year!
PROGRAM
TO
INCLUDE
Morten Lauridsen – Lux Aeterna Johann Strauss II – Greeting to America
“The
best way to predict your future is to create it.”
- Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
Bennett Auditorium
Winners of the William T. Gower competition showcase the immense talent to be found in the Southern Miss School of Music. Drawn from 15 different countries, our symphony musicians bring the world’s talent to Hattiesburg. One of Beethoven’s most celebrated symphonies demonstrates his dramatic flair, gift for lyricism and unprecedented power that changed music forever.
PROGRAM Concerto Competition Winners Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 7 in A
Concerto Winner 2024
“We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth - peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home.”-
Calvin Coolidge
Bars of Red
Thursday, March 26, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
The Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium
A most extraordinary evening opens with Ravel’s tender evocation of innocent youth. Gershwin’s iconic score takes us on a Parisian sojourn filled with American influence and the blues. Julia Wolfe’s mesmerizing cantata Her Story dramatically explores the historic struggle for women to secure equal rights. Scored for large orchestra and women’s voices, with stage direction by Anne Kauffman, scenic design by Jeff Sugg, and production by Bang on a Can, you won’t want to miss one of the cultural events of the year in Mississippi.
PROGRAM
Maurice Ravel – Pavane pour une enfante défunte George Gershwin – An American in Paris
Julia Wolfe – Her Story
Wolfe
“When the people sing, the soul of the nation stirs.” – John F. Kennedy
Closing Night
Ground of White
Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. Main St. Baptist Church
The majestic voices of the Hattiesburg Choral Union present the poetry of Robert Frost in a tender fashion. Aaron Copland’s mighty third and final symphony is often referred to as the essential American symphony. This work personifies the “Dean of American” composer’s voice, which defines American music. It also prominently features his “Fanfare for the Common Man.”
PROGRAM
Randal Thompson – Frostiana Aaron Copland – Symphony No. 3
SEVEN
ORDER SEASON TICKETS NOW
800.844.8425
601.266.5418 IN PERSON
Pat Ferlise Center
2949 W. Fourth St. Hattiesburg, MS
SEASON TICKETS
On sale through September 25
$170 – Platinum - premium seating
Best seats in the house! $20 savings over individual tickets!
$150 – Gold - main floor
$15 savings over individual tickets!
$140 – Silver - main floor and upper balcony
$10 savings over individual tickets!
Choose ONE date for Die Fledermaus
October 30, 2025 - 7:30 p.m.
October 31, 2025 - 7:30 p.m.
November 1, 2025 - 1 p.m. and
Choose ONE date for the Holiday Choral Spectacular
December 2, 2025
December 4, 2025
MANNONI PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
On sale September 2
$30 – Platinum - premium seating
$25 – Gold - main floor
$20 – Silver - main floor and upper balcony
$20 – General admission
