West Michigan Symphony 2025-2026 Season: Music of ABBA, Dvorak’s New World, Superheroes at the Symphony, the Soul of Spanish Guitar & More
Muskegon, MI — Between its Mainstage Series at the historic 1,700-seat Frauenthal Center and its listening room for the musically curious, the 115-seat The Block, West Michigan Symphony’s 2025-2026 concert season offers an incredible variety and a length of season normally associated with much larger markets. Between late September and mid-May, 23 programs and 24 performances will take place—including classical symphony, orchestral pops, combo jazz, chamber, classical and contemporary piano, top-drawer Broadway vocalists and more.
“Between the ensembles and the venues, West Michigan Symphony (WMS) provides a live experience that’s second to none,” said President & CEO Andy Buelow. “When guest musicians and artists come here for the first time, it’s always the same: they’re amazed by the beauty and acoustics of the Frauenthal Center and The Block; and blown away by the quality of the orchestra. New audience members always have the same response—‘I had no idea.’”
The Mainstage Series features the 64-member symphony orchestra which, under Music Director Scott Speck’s cultivation, has mastered the full Classical-Romantic repertoire and performs at a level normally associated with much larger metropolitan areas. WMS players are professional musicians from Michigan and other states who make their living teaching and performing in a variety of orchestras and ensembles. This provides WMS with the energy and versatility so central to its artistic personality.
“They are truly amazing,” said Music Director Scott Speck. “Many musicians call West Michigan their home, but a number come from elsewhere in the state, some from the Chicago area, and we even have one who drives up from New Orleans! The orchestra is like a musical jewel-box full of solo quality players. When they gather onstage, something magical always happens.”
The series also features guest artists of international profile whose visit often includes educational programs and other community activities. Their residency culminates with a performance or dual performances: a Friday evening concert with the orchestra at the Frauenthal Center and a Saturday evening solo appearance at The Block. An example this season is pianist-improviser-composer Charlie Albright, who performs Rachmaninoff’s beloved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the orchestra on Friday, November 14 and then offers a solo piano program at The Block the next night.
The Block provides a variety of genres, including jazz, classical and “curious.” WMS orchestral performances at the Frauenthal are also about more than classical music. In fact, the Mainstage Series opens on Friday, October 3 with the band Direct from Sweden performing the music of ABBA, backed by the full symphony. Even the classics are often given a fresh twist; “Superheroes at the Symphony” on January 30 pairs music from the Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Spider-Man movies with Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet and Stravinsky’s Firebird.
WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY | THE BLOCK | 2025-2026 SEASON SCHEDULE
ALVIN WADDLES TRIO-DETROIT JAZZ TRADITION
Friday, September 26, 7:30 pm | The Block
Pianist and vocalist Alvin Waddles will captivate with a masterful blend of jazz, gospel, and classical.
THE MUSIC OF ABBA-WITH DIRECT FROM SWEDEN
Friday, October 3, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
The world’s top ABBA tribute band joins the West Michigan Symphony to perform full orchestrations of iconic hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and more.
BLKBOK-CONTEMPORARY PIANO
Friday, October 17, 7:30 pm | The Block
BLKBOK’s high-energy style seeks to entertain with a live piano based performance that is culturally reflective.
DMITRI MATHENY QUINTET-JAZZ FROM THE SILVER SCREEN
Friday, October 24, 7:30 pm | The Block
Flugelhorn virtuoso Dmitri Matheny will deliver timeless classics from the shared history of jazz and cinema.
ORCHESTRA’S GREATEST HITS
Friday, November 14, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
It’s a night of fan favorites, chosen by the audience!
Scott Speck conductor; Charlie Albright piano
Rossini William Tell Overture
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Dvořák Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
CHARLIE ALBRIGHT-CLASSICAL PIANO
Saturday, November 15, 7:30 pm | The Block
This solo program features pianist Charlie Albright’s trademark on-demand improvisation, where he’ll spontaneously compose a new work.
WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY DEBUT & PREMIER STRINGS
Monday, November 17, 7:00 pm | Orchard View High School Auditorium
50 young string players present a Thanksgiving themed program.
WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Sunday, November 23, 6:00 pm | The Block
This program highlights the beauty of our country, our heritage and our veterans.
CLICKITY CLACK HO HO HO
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 and 11:30 am | The Block
45-minute interactive concert designed for kids ages 3 – 8 based on the book ‘Clickity Clack Ho Ho Ho’ by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.
PAUL KELLER QUINTET-A JAZZY CHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 pm | The Block
The Michigan-based Paul Keller Quintet is back at The Block for a night of holiday jazz featuring piano, vocals and vibraphone.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Friday, December 19, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
Celebrate holiday music and traditions from both near and far, featuring a baritone, two youth choirs, a festive sing-along, and a visit from Santa himself.
SUPERHEROES AT THE SYMPHONY
Friday, January 30, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
Experience the legendary themes of cinematic superheroes along with two symphonic masterpieces that inspired the iconic film scores.
Scott Speck conductor
Williams Superman March
Elfman Batman Suite
Gregson-Williams Wonder Woman Suite
Elfman Spider-Man Main Title
Prokoviev Romeo & Juliet Suite
Stravinsky The Firebird Suite
JORDAN VANHEMERT QUARTET-JAZZ SAXOPHONE
Saturday, February 7, 7:30 pm | The Block
Saxophonist Jordan VanHemert crafts jazz music that illuminates race and social justice, melding his Korean cultural roots with blues-infused hard bop.
ROBERT JOHNSON & FRIENDS-BAROQUE CHAMBER
Friday, February 13, 7:30 pm | The Block
WMS Principal Bass joins with friends to bring an inspiring night of music from Bach, Couperin, Telemann and more.
GERSHWIN’S PIANO CONCERTO
Friday, February 27, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
A musical program that reflects the influences of American jazz, African-American spirituals and folk themes.
Kellen Gray conductor; Michelle Cann piano
Michael Ellis Ingram Overture to Jubilee
Gershwin Concerto in F
Dawson Negro Folk Symphony
MICHELLE CANN – CLASSICAL PIANO
Saturday, February 28, 7:30 pm | The Block
Pianist Michelle Cann who has been described as “technically fearless” brings a solo performance to The Block.
HOUSE OF HAMILL-CELTIC FUSION
Friday, March 13, 7:30 pm | The Block
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, House of Hamill will electrify with their dynamic fusion of Celtic traditions and contemporary folk energy.
FIESTA SINFÓNICA
Friday, March 20, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
Scott Speck conductor; Camille Zamora vocalist; The Mambo Kings
A musical journey through Spain and the Americas.
CAMILLE ZAMORA-LOVE IN SONG
Saturday, March 21, 7:30 pm | The Block
Vocalist Camille Zamora’s will take you on a journey from the heart: loves songs across five centuries and five continents.
GUITAR ROMANCE
Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
Guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas is hailed as “the soul of the Spanish guitar.” His passionate performances, filled with flair and emotional depth, captivate audiences.
Scott Speck conductor; Pablo Sáinz Villegas classical guitar
Falla Suite No.1 from The Three-Cornered Hat
Piazzolla Tangazo
Rodrigo Soleriana, Suite for Orchestra
Falla Ritual Fire Dance from El Amor Brujo
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez
VARO STRING QUARTET-CLASSICAL CHAMBER
Saturday, April 18, 7:30 pm | The Block
Experience the variety of sound that a string quartet can make! The Varo String Quartet will perform a mix of innovative works of living composers to classical masterpieces.
STEPHANE WREMBEL QUARTET-GYPSY JAZZ
Friday, May 1, 7:30 pm | The Block
Wrembel is considered a master of the Django Reinhart guitar style, he revels in incorporating jazz, blues, classical, swing, flamenco and rock.
ALL-STAR FINALE
Friday, May 8, 7:30 pm | Frauenthal Center
The 25/26 Season closes with a dramatic program featuring the sumptuous rumble of the Barton Theatre Organ.
Scott Speck conductor
Glinka Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla
Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 “Organ Symphony”
SEASON TICKETS
A variety of season ticket packages are available, saving up to 20% off the price of buying tickets individually. Package prices start as low as $99 for a 3-concert package. Visit westmichigansymphony.org to explore options and pricing.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Individual tickets for The Music of Abba, Orchestra’s Greatest Hits, Home for the Holidays, and Superheroes at the Symphony are currently on sale. All other concerts go on sale beginning September 2. Individual ticket prices vary depending on performance, starting at $19. Visit westmichigansymphony.org to purchase.
MORE ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY
An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon, West Michigan Symphony is a resident presenting group at the Frauenthal Center, where its eight-concert season is the most visible part of a larger artistic enterprise of far-reaching community benefit. WMS concerts and education events bring 16,500 people—more than 30% of whom are children and students—downtown annually, making it the largest performing arts organization on the West Shore.
MEDIA
If media is interested in attending and covering a WMS event, a limited number of media passes are available. Please contact Carla Flanders for more information. For Media Resources click HERE.
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