The Daytona Beach Symphony Society has announced its 2025-26 season, “New Beginnings,” with 5 concerts at its new venue, the News-Journal Center on Beach Street in Daytona Beach. Overlooking the Halifax River, the News-Journal Center is part of Daytona State College.
Now in its 74th season, the DBSS began in 1952 with a small group of music enthusiasts headed by the late publisher of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Julius Davidson. They realized there could be no responsible growth and development of our area without a significant cultural base. The result was the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the community with a wide range of musical and artistic programs.
The season opens on December 11th with selections from Handel’s Messiah, performed by the Jacksonville Symphony under the direction of Courtney Lewis. Since its premiere in 1742, The Messiah has provided a shining message of hope and joy, especially during the Christmas season.
January 8th, the Jacksonville Symphony returns with, “John Williams Salutes America,” a tribute to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. From the stirring Olympic Fanfare and the theme to the powerful score for Saving Private Ryan and the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones, these iconic works capture the courage, determination and spirit of a nation
January 30th, Teatro Lirico D’Europa returns with an audience favorite, Carmen by Georges Bizet. Carmen, a story of seduction, bull fighting and murder, is set to the tuneful score of Bizet. Bizet’s music takes us on a journey through all the romance and tragedy of Andalusia.
February 26th, the Manhattan Chamber Players make their first visit to Daytona Beach. A chamber music collective, they share a common aim of performing the greatest works of chamber music at the highest levels. The concert includes two masterpieces of the string repertoire: Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.
The season closes on March 27th with a performance of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Falletta is the first woman to lead a major American orchestra, and is credited with bringing the Philharmonic to unprecedented levels of national and international acclaim. The concert includes Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, performed by violinist, Simone Porter, and Brahms’ First Symphony.
Parking at the News-Journal Center is free. Subscriptions are available now by calling 386-253-2901 or online at DBSS.org. Single tickets will be available October 6th.