Nashville Symphony May 2025 Concerts Feature Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero’s Finale of Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand; The World Premiere of Kip Winger’s Violin Concerto No. 1; and A Free Chamber Concert Featuring Classic Video Game Music
Plus:- La Vida Loca
- May the Fourth: The Music of Star Wars with the Nashville Symphony
- Nashville Philharmonic Concert (w/o orchestra)
- Samara Joy (w/o orchestra)
- Youth Orchestra: Side-by-Side Concert
- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert
- Indigo Girls with the Nashville Symphony
NASHVILLE, TN—April 1, 2025, The Nashville Symphony’s May 2025 schedule features Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero’s finale performances conducting Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand; the world premiere and live recording of Kip Winger’s Violin Concerto No. 1; Enrico Lopez-Yañez conducts symphonic renditions of hit songs from the ‘90s and ‘00s Latin pop explosion; a symphonic Star Wars celebration; live-to-film performances of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark; a one-night-only concert with five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist Samara Joy; three nights with folk pop icons Indigo Girls with the Nashville Symphony; and choose-what-you-pay concerts featuring the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Curb Youth Symphony, and a chamber concert featuring classic video game music. Listed concerts, dates, times, and pricing subject to change.
a Vida Loca
Thursday, May 1; Friday, May 2; Saturday, May 3, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $25
La Vida Loca celebrates artists of the ‘90s and ‘00s Latin pop explosion including Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Santana, Ricky Martin, and more. Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, world-renowned vocalists Ender Thomas and Jackie Mendez, and multi-GRAMMY® Award winners José Sibaja on trumpet and Luisito Quintero on percussion join the Nashville Symphony for a high-octane program featuring all-new symphonic arrangements by Lopez- Yañez and Sibaja.
May the Fourth: The Music of Star Wars with the Nashville Symphony
ASCEND AMPHITHEATER
Sunday, May 4, 8:00 PM
Tickets: Starting at $32
This must-experience outdoor concert features the Nashville Symphony conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez performing John Williams’ – and other composers’ – iconic scores. It’s the memorable music from a galaxy far, far away featuring Star Wars selections from the entire film saga, including some of the most thrilling music ever written for movies. Highlights include the Star Wars Main Title, “The Phantom Menace Suite,” “The Rise of Skywalker: The Speeder Chase,” and much more.
Nashville Philharmonic Concert
Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 PM
Tickets: Choose What You Pay
Join the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra as they close out their season with Gustav Mahler’s monumental opus, Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection.” Under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Christopher Norton, Nashville’s largest volunteer community orchestra presents its most ambitious performance yet, with more than 100 instrumentalists on stage. The NPO is joined by a volunteer chorus of nearly 100 singers from around the Nashville region, under the rehearsal guidance of Wesley King, Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony. Presented without the Nashville Symphony.
May the Fourth: The Music of Star Wars with the Nashville Symphony
ASCEND AMPHITHEATER
Sunday, May 4, 8:00 PM
Tickets: Starting at $32
This must-experience outdoor concert features the Nashville Symphony conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez performing John Williams’ – and other composers’ – iconic scores. It’s the memorable music from a galaxy far, far away featuring Star Wars selections from the entire film saga, including some of the most thrilling music ever written for movies. Highlights include the Star Wars Main Title, “The Phantom Menace Suite,” “The Rise of Skywalker: The Speeder Chase,” and much more.
Nashville Philharmonic Concert
Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 PM
Tickets: Choose What You Pay
Join the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra as they close out their season with Gustav Mahler’s monumental opus, Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Resurrection.” Under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Christopher Norton, Nashville’s largest volunteer community orchestra presents its most ambitious performance yet, with more than 100 instrumentalists on stage. The NPO is joined by a volunteer chorus of nearly 100 singers from around the Nashville region, under the rehearsal guidance of Wesley King, Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony. Presented without the Nashville Symphony.
Barber, Winger and Copland
LIVE RECORDING | WORLD PREMIERE
Friday, May 9 & Saturday, May 10, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $29
Walter Buchanan Sharp Concertmaster Peter Otto takes center stage for the world premiere of a new concerto by rock artist and GRAMMY®-nominated classical composer Kip Winger. Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero opens this all-American program with Barber’s playful and comedic overture. The evening concludes with Copland’s third symphony, which incorporates his iconic Fanfare for the Common Man. Commissioned by the legendary conductor Serge Koussevitzky, this symphony remains a prolific catalyst for American music and continues to inspire Guerrero.
Samara Joy
Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $37
The five-time GRAMMY®-winning vocalist Samara Joy returns to Schermerhorn Symphony Center with her full band for an unforgettable evening. This intimate concert showcases songs from her latest album, Portrait. Featuring her original lyrics and stunning arrangements inspired by jazz legends like Charles Mingus, Sun Ra, and her late mentor Barry Harris, Portrait highlights Samara’s evolving artistry and deep connection to jazz’s rich legacy. Experience the power, emotion, and elegance of Samara’s voice in this soulful celebration of music. Presented without the Nashville Symphony.
Youth Orchestra: Side-by-Side Concert
Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Choose What You Pay
Enjoy this free opportunity to hear the next generation of classical musicians performing alongside the musicians of the Nashville Symphony. This special program features high school students of the Curb Youth Symphony from Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music performing alongside musicians of the Nashville Symphony, as well as three finalists of the 2025 Nashville Symphony Curb Concerto Competition performing live with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert
Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $64
The film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, is back and better than ever! Relive the magic of the big screen with the original great adventure, Raiders of the Lost Ark, featuring the intrepid Harrison Ford on the big screen and John Williams’ epic score performed live-to-picture by the Nashville Symphony.
Samara Joy
Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $37
The five-time GRAMMY®-winning vocalist Samara Joy returns to Schermerhorn Symphony Center with her full band for an unforgettable evening. This intimate concert showcases songs from her latest album, Portrait. Featuring her original lyrics and stunning arrangements inspired by jazz legends like Charles Mingus, Sun Ra, and her late mentor Barry Harris, Portrait highlights Samara’s evolving artistry and deep connection to jazz’s rich legacy. Experience the power, emotion, and elegance of Samara’s voice in this soulful celebration of music. Presented without the Nashville Symphony.
Youth Orchestra: Side-by-Side Concert
Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Choose What You Pay
Enjoy this free opportunity to hear the next generation of classical musicians performing alongside the musicians of the Nashville Symphony. This special program features high school students of the Curb Youth Symphony from Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music performing alongside musicians of the Nashville Symphony, as well as three finalists of the 2025 Nashville Symphony Curb Concerto Competition performing live with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert
Saturday, May 15 & Sunday, May 16, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $64
The film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, is back and better than ever! Relive the magic of the big screen with the original great adventure, Raiders of the Lost Ark, featuring the intrepid Harrison Ford on the big screen and John Williams’ epic score performed live-to-picture by the Nashville Symphony.
Guerrero’s Finale: Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand
Friday, May 23 & Saturday, May 24, 7:30 PM; Sunday, May 25, 2:00 PM
Tickets: Starting at $68
Giancarlo Guerrero’s tenure as Music Director concludes with Mahler’s colossal “Symphony of a Thousand,” employing massive forces with eight vocal soloists, two mixed choirs and a boys’ choir, an over-sized orchestra, and a multitude of percussion. Written in two parts, the symphony is one of the largest-scale choral works in the classical concert repertoire and is unified by musical themes of redemption through the power of love. A fitting tribute to our Maestro and his contributions to our orchestra and community.
Mystic Worlds: Classic Video Game Music for String Quartet
Tuesday, May 27, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Choose What You Pay
Journey through the timeless melodies of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem, and more as your Nashville Symphony musicians bring your favorite video game soundtracks to life in an intimate chamber setting. The program will be followed by a Q&A with ensemble members. Presented with members of the Nashville Symphony.
Indigo Girls with the Nashville Symphony
Thursday, May 29; Friday, May 30; Saturday, May 31, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $36
The GRAMMY® Award-winning Indigo Girls take center stage alongside the Nashville Symphony. Conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, this breathtaking concert features orchestrations of iconic Indigo Girls folk pop hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” and “Closer to Fine.”
Mystic Worlds: Classic Video Game Music for String Quartet
Tuesday, May 27, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Choose What You Pay
Journey through the timeless melodies of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem, and more as your Nashville Symphony musicians bring your favorite video game soundtracks to life in an intimate chamber setting. The program will be followed by a Q&A with ensemble members. Presented with members of the Nashville Symphony.
Indigo Girls with the Nashville Symphony
Thursday, May 29; Friday, May 30; Saturday, May 31, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $36
The GRAMMY® Award-winning Indigo Girls take center stage alongside the Nashville Symphony. Conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, this breathtaking concert features orchestrations of iconic Indigo Girls folk pop hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” and “Closer to Fine.”
The Nashville Symphony inspires and engages audiences across Middle Tennessee with extraordinary live orchestral music experiences. Founded in 1946, the Symphony is celebrated for its commitment to contemporary American orchestral music, innovative programming across genres, and a prolific recording legacy, earning 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 27 nominations. The Symphony reaches nearly 550,000 annually through award- winning education programs and community initiatives and connects with almost 13 million worldwide through recordings, broadcasts, and streaming. The Nashville Symphony is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching its community and inspiring the next generation of music lovers. Learn more at nashvillesymphony.org.
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