News Release

NORTH MANCHESTER — The Manchester Symphony Orchestra’s 87th season opens in October with a celebration of musical game-changers.

The season includes collaborations with guest artists, area choirs and a world premiere.

With four concerts showcasing both familiar showpieces and more esoteric works, the MSO’s 2025-26 season is a magnificent mix that will appeal to longtime followers and newcomers alike.

“ I am so excited about this music!” said Conductor and Artistic Director Debra Lynn. “I hope you’ll be able to join us for these beautiful concerts.”

Oct. 5 — “Game Changers” 3 p.m. at Cordier Auditorium, North Manchester, featuring Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, plus works by Debussy and Rameau.

Nov. 23 — “Music of England and Wales” 3 p.m. Ford Theater at the Honeywell Center, Wabash, featuring guest artist-in-residence Andrew Nesler performing William Mathias’ Piano Concerto No. 2.

March 8 — “Invocation” 3 p.m. Cordier Auditorium, featuring choirs from Manchester University, Purdue Fort Wayne, and community singers performing David Conte’s “Elegy for Matthew” and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Te Deum.”

May 3 — “Take Flight!” 3 p.m. Eagles Theater, Wabash, featuring Warren & Flick performing the world premiere of their newly composed concerto for bass and nyckelharpa. Other works on the program include William Bolcom’s “Inventing Flight” and the Flying Theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial by John Williams.

“I can’t wait to share the stage with our amazing MSO musicians to bring masterworks new and old to the Wabash County community and beyond,” Lynn said.

North Manchester is one of the smallest communities in the nation with its own symphony orchestra. Residents of Wabash County and what was then Manchester College founded the symphony in 1939. That partnership continues today, in its 87th season, with a carefully crafted collaboration of professional and community musicians, as well as selected Manchester University faculty, staff, and student musicians.

Learn more at manchestersymphonyorchestra.org.