Welcome to MOSY's 2024 Summer Music Festival.

The Missouri Symphony welcomes you to the Firefly Music Festival, a reimagined summer festival experience led by MOSY Music Director, Wilbur Lin.

Schedule of Events

June 22, 2024

Firefly Music Festival: First & Final: 200 Years of Joy

The opening concert of our annual Firefly Music Festival celebrates the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. The Missouri Symphony Orchestra will kick off the concert with Beethoven's Symphony No. 1. After intermission, they will be joined by the Columbia Chorale and four of the most exciting young solo voices from across the country to present the 9th Symphony, which was first performed just over 200 years from this date. With its well-known final movement, commonly known as "Ode to Joy," the audience will leave excited for what is to come the rest of the festival.

Join us at the Columbia Art League at 6:00 p.m. for a free pre-concert talk led by Silas Huff, Director of Orchestras at Northern Illinois University. Maestro Huff will discuss Beethoven in general and his Symphony No. 9, specifically.

Location:
Missouri Theatre
Columbia, MO

June 25, 2024

Firefly Music Festival: MSO Chamber Concert

Chamber concerts feature the musicians of the Missouri Symphony performing in a more intimate setting. Chamber works performed in these concerts offer excellent opportunities to hear the musicians play up-close and experience a diverse repertoire different from the masterworks and pops orchestral concerts. The thrill of experiencing small chamber ensembles breathing together and interacting with each other through simple eye-contact and body movements fully allows every music lover to be immersed in the magic of chamber music making!

Location:
Stephens College - Historic Senior Hall
Columbia, MO

June 28, 2024

Firefly Music Festival: Finnish Fantasy + Missourian Mythology

This concert will explore music influenced by Finland and our state of Missouri. Some highlights include Coleridge-Taylor's Hiawatha Overture and Sibelius' Violin Concerto, featuring David Oistrakh First Prize winner violinist SooBeen Lee. The MSO will also continue its engagement with the music of one-time Missouri resident Carl Busch, presenting his piece, Minnehaha's Vision.

Location:
Missouri Theatre
Columbia, MO

June 30, 2024

2pm: Firefly Music Festival: Orchestra-A-Round

Continuing our goal to present unique concert experiences, this concert, featuring more well-known pieces, will take place in the rotunda of Jesse Hall on the University of Missouri campus. Audience members will be able to move between the three levels of the rotunda, partaking in a different and more immersive listening and viewing experience on each level.

On the main level, guests can experience the orchestra up close and in the round. While much more intimate than the usual symphonic concert, level one will have the most seating and be the closest to a traditional concert experience.

On level two, there will be seating and standing areas to enjoy a different view of the concert, overlooking the action. At some point during the performance, guests on the second floor will be joined by some of the performers as well.

As guests move farther from the musicians, the concert experience becomes even more unique. Enjoy the amazing live music and let it inspire your creativity while you join in on the community art piece guided by local artist, Adrienne Luther. Or let the music sink in around you while you are led on a guided meditation with mindful movement, led by local yoga instructor, Wende Wagner.

Location:
Jesse Hall Rotunda
Columbia, MO

July 3, 2024

Firefly Music Festival: Stars, Stripes. and Scores

Our annual summer pops concert will honor our country's musical legacy with an interesting mixture of patriotic and film music. Featuring the crowd-pleasing music of legendary film composer John Williams, the MSO will present selections from both Star Wars and Harry Potter. With a nod to resident Columbia composer John William "Blind" Boone and our annual honoring of military veterans and active duty, this concert will get you in the mood for the holiday the next day.

July 9, 2024

Firefly Music Festival: MSO Chamber Concert

Chamber concerts feature the musicians of the Missouri Symphony performing in a more intimate setting. Chamber works performed in these concerts offer excellent opportunities to hear the musicians play up-close and experience a diverse repertoire different from the masterworks and pops orchestral concerts. The thrill of experiencing small chamber ensembles… breathing together and interacting with each other through simple eye-contact and body movements fully allows every music lover to be immersed in the magic of chamber music making!

Location:
Stephens College - Historic Senior Hall
Columbia, MO

July 13, 2024

Firefly Music Festival: Nicholas Canellakis Plays Elgar

The final concert of the 2024 Firefly Music Festival will send us off with a program dedicated to composer Edward Elgar. The MSO will present his Cello Concerto, featuring Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society's cellist Nicholas Canellakis, and close the summer with Elgar's Enigma Variations.

Join us at the Columbia Art League for a free pre-concert talk at 6:00 p.m. where Jacob Schnitzer, our Assistant Conductor, will discuss Elgar's Enigma Variations.

Date:
June 22 - July 13, 2024

Location:
Missouri Theatre, 203 South 9th Street, Columbia, MO 65201
Historic Senior Hall, 100 Waugh Street, Columbia, MO 65201
Jesse Hall Rotunda, 409 Conley Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201

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