2023-2024 Season 

Schedule of Events

Season Performances

Symphonie Espagñole

September 23, 2023 | 7:30PM
Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center


The seductive and soaring sound of virtuosic violin opens the Panama City Symphony’s 28th season as we welcome guest soloist Kinga Augustyn performing Eduard Lalo’s spirited Symphonie Espagñole.  Ravel's Bolero and Bizet's Carmen Suite No.1 will showcase a dramatic flair reminiscent of Lalo's style, while works by Granados, Chabrier and de Abreu add just the right amount of spice.  A night of exotic, passionate, and lively music awaits you!

Georges Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 1
Eduard Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole
Kinga Augustyn, violinist
Enrique Granados: Intermezzo from Goyescas
Emmanuel Chabrier: España
Maurice Ravel: Bolero
Zequinha de Abreu: Tico Tico

Guest artist sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stanley.

Viva Italia!

January 13, 2024 | 7:30PM
Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center

PCSO departs for a melodious tour of Italy with a brilliant evening of love, humor, drama and deception.  Returning guest soprano Avery Boettcher illuminates the stage with her theatrical interpretation of selections from Italian opera.  The music of some of Italy’s most beloved composers will sweep you off your feet, climaxing with Respighi’s stunning tone poem Pines of Rome. Explore with us and be amazed!

Gioachino Rossini: Overture to L'Italiana in Algeri   
Opera selections by Puccini, Catalani, and Donietti
Avery Boettcher, soprano 
Ennio Morricone: Symphonic Suit from Once Upon a Time in America
Opera selections by Gounod, Puccini, and Lehár
Avery Boettcher, soprano
Gioachino Rossini: Overture to Barber of Seville
Ottorino Respighi: Pines of Rome

Guest artist sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stanley.

Portraits of American Freedom

February 10, 2024 | 7:30PM
Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center

Expressing the freedom of lifestyle and infinite opportunity in our great nation, this evening’s repertoire will touch the soul and lift the spirit with an exclusively American set.  Guest pianist Ilya Yakushev wows with his unique twist on Gershwin’s ever popular Rhapsody in Blue.  Framed by classics by Buck, Copland and Still it’s a night to celebrate the spirit of the American people.

Dudley Buck: Festival Overture on ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’  
Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Ilya Yakushev, piano
William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony

Guest artist sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stanley.

Symphonic Shakespeare

April 13, 2024 | 7:30PM
Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center

Join us as we share the love and loss of two young hearts from two versions of Romeo and Juliet.  Tonight’s performance begins with Tchaikovsky’s lush and sweeping Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and ends with Prokofiev’s intense and tragic Suite from Romeo and Juliet.  American cellist-songwriter Okorie "OkCello" Johnson will bring his artistry to the stage with the original composition (orchestrated by Timothy Verville titled Liminal: an Atlanta Concerto for Amplified Looping Cello and Orchestra. It's a night of romance and rhythm to wrap up our 28th season! 

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
Okorie “OkCello” Johnson and Timothy Verville: Liminal: an Atlanta Concerto for Amplified Looping Cello and Orchestra
Sergei Prokofiev: Suite from Romeo and Juliet

Guest artist sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Paul Stanley.

Extra Concerts

Nightmare on the Bay

Horror haunts the music hall at this Halloween holiday symphonic spectacle. It’s the battle of the batons – the sword and the saber – and you’ll want to see who wins in the end.  Two back-to-back performances feature the doubly daring allusions to the clash of cinema’s favorite villains as the witty pirate lord conducts and combats the fearsome dark lord.  Don’t be afraid of the music…and don’t miss this sure-to-sell-out show!

Beach Home for the Holidays

Sergey puts the FUN in Sym-phon-y and there’s no better place to start the holiday season than the Real. Fun. Beach. and Aaron Bessant Park!  Bring your blankets and chairs and settle in for an evening of joy and good cheer, complete with s’mores, Santa and festive favorites from around the world.  Create new memories with the family as Panama City Beach sets the stage for the most magical month of the year! 

Holiday by the Bay

There’s always something special to unwrap at a Panama City Symphony holiday concert!  Experience the magic of the season as Sergey conducts a resplendent repertoire of your favorite traditional and popular music infused with unique selections from around the world.  Sprinkle in a little yuletide cheer, and there’s nothing quite like it.  Pack the family sleigh and ring in the holiday season with this glittering and glorious celebration!