Boston, August 27, 2025
News Summary
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will kick off its upcoming season with two free concerts at Symphony Hall, featuring local and student musical talent. The first event, ‘Concert for the City,’ will include performances from the BSO and various ensembles, while the second, ‘Music’s Next Generation – A College Showcase,’ will highlight student groups from several prestigious universities. Both concerts aim to promote community engagement through music.
Boston — The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will open its 2025–26 season with two free community concerts at Symphony Hall on September 17 and 18, 2025. The events are designed to showcase local and student musical talent and to offer broad access to orchestral and community performances.
Key details up front
The first event, Concert for the City, will be held on September 17, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with youth and community ensembles performing throughout Symphony Hall. The mainstage portion of that evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will feature performances by the BSO, Boston Pops, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, conducted by Andris Nelsons, Keith Lockhart, and Thomas Wilkins. Guest artists for the mainstage concert include the Veronica Robles Mariachi Band, cuatrista and vocalist Fabiola Méndez and her ensemble, and pianist Clayton Stephenson, who will perform the first movement of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.
The second event, Music’s Next Generation – A College Showcase, will take place on September 18 at Symphony Hall and will spotlight student ensembles from six universities: Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Harvard University, New England Conservatory, Northeastern University, and Tufts University. Performances will range from traditional and classical pieces to contemporary pop arrangements.
Program highlights and repertoire
The Concert for the City’s main concert program mixes classical works and modern, popular selections. The program includes Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 2, William Grant Still’s Threnody (In Memory of Jan Sibelius), Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, Alan Silvestri’s Back to the Future theme, and Gwyneth Walker’s “How Can I Keep from Singing?”. Pianist Clayton Stephenson will perform the opening movement of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.
Music’s Next Generation will present a wide range of student-driven work. Highlights include Randall Thompson’s The Last Words of David, a rendition of Toto’s “Africa” by the Harvard Crimson Cellos, and performances of traditional Chinese music, mariachi, Bollywood-inspired a cappella, and contemporary pop arrangements performed by ensembles from the six participating institutions.
Logistics and ticketing
Both events are free, but tickets are required for entry. Free tickets will be available beginning September 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. Reservations may be made online at bso.org, by calling 888-266-1200, or in person at the Symphony Hall Box Office.
Admission is intended to be accessible to the broader community. The Concert for the City opens with community and youth ensembles performing in various parts of Symphony Hall before the mainstage concert, offering multiple entry points for attendees and a variety of listening experiences throughout the venue.
Organizational context
The two concerts serve as the official opening of the BSO’s 2025–26 season and are presented as community-focused events that bring together professional orchestras, chorus, guest artists, and student ensembles. The lineup pairs traditional orchestral repertoire with culturally diverse and popular selections, reflecting a programming approach that combines established classics with contemporary and community-driven music.
BSO leadership has emphasized welcoming the community for these events and highlighted the importance of celebrating local talent and the next generation of musicians through the college showcase. The college event provides a platform for students from local universities to perform in a major concert venue and present a range of musical traditions.
What attendees should know
- Both concerts take place at Symphony Hall in Boston.
- Concert for the City: September 17 — community performances beginning at 4:30 p.m., mainstage concert at 7:30 p.m.
- Music’s Next Generation – A College Showcase: September 18 — schedule of student ensemble performances throughout the event.
- Free tickets available starting September 3, 2025, at 10 a.m.
- Ticket reservation methods: bso.org, phone 888-266-1200, or the Symphony Hall Box Office in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the concerts free to attend?
Yes. Both Concert for the City (September 17) and Music’s Next Generation – A College Showcase (September 18) are free, but tickets must be reserved in advance.
When do tickets become available?
Free tickets will be available starting September 3, 2025, at 10 a.m.
How can I get tickets?
Tickets can be reserved online at bso.org, by calling 888-266-1200, or in person at the Symphony Hall Box Office.
What will be performed at the Concert for the City?
The mainstage program includes works by Beethoven and William Grant Still, selections from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Silvestri, a piece by Gwyneth Walker, and a performance of the first movement of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F by pianist Clayton Stephenson, plus community ensemble performances throughout Symphony Hall.
Which colleges are participating in the college showcase?
Participating institutions are Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Harvard University, New England Conservatory, Northeastern University, and Tufts University. Performances will include a mix of classical, traditional, and contemporary pieces.
Quick reference table
| Event | Date | Time | Location | Tickets / Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concert for the City | September 17, 2025 | Community ensembles at 4:30 p.m.; Mainstage at 7:30 p.m. | Symphony Hall, Boston | Free tickets available from Sep 3, 2025, 10 a.m.; reserve at bso.org or 888-266-1200 |
| Music’s Next Generation – A College Showcase | September 18, 2025 | Various student ensemble times throughout the event | Symphony Hall, Boston | Free tickets available from Sep 3, 2025, 10 a.m.; reserve at bso.org or 888-266-1200 |
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