100th Season Opening Weekend
What does celebrating one hundred years of music mean?
To us, one hundred years of music means one hundred years of connection and community.
It means thousands of individuals working together to enrich lives through music. It’s a century of musicians moving, breathing, and playing together to create something beautiful. It means countless moments of awe, and decades of impact on generations of Mainers.
As we kick off this next century, we aim to create the broadest, most inclusive sense of community, welcome you in, and meet you where you are. One hundred years of music wouldn’t be possible without you, so it wouldn’t be right to celebrate without you.
We are beginning this monumental season with an opening weekend like never before! Celebrate with us at our Block Party, join voices together at our Community Sing-a-Long, and experience one of history’s greatest pieces on the Merrill Stage as we perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony twice – a matinee on Sunday afternoon and again the following Tuesday evening.
We hope you’ll join us!
PSO Opening Weekend
PSO Block Party
Friday, September 20, 2024
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Congress & Myrtle Street
Experience music, fun, and food on the plaza of City Hall and Myrtle Street as we kick-off our 100th season!
Enjoy performances from a fiddle trio, brass quintet, solo cello, and solo marimba. Interact with PSO wind musicians, and participate in fun activities, including an Instrument Petting Zoo, Podium Hero, and a Children’s craft station. Community partners, including Portland Ballet, will join the PSO for the kickoff celebration and food will be available to purchase from Sook Thai and Mainely Burgers, along with an indoor beer garden at Merrill Auditorium.
Free & open to all.
PSO Opening Weekend
Beethoven’s 9th
Sunday, September 22, 2024
2:30 PM
MerriLl Auditorium
Former PSO Music Directors Bruce Hangen (1976-1986), Toshiyuki Shimada (1986-2006), and Robert Moody (2008-2018) join current Music Director Eckart Preu (2019-present) in a celebration of the passage of time, bridging the past to the present.
First performed 200 years ago, Beethoven’s 9th has stood the test of time as the composer’s final, and most exuberant symphony. Each Music Director will take to the podium to conduct one of the pieces movements—through the passing of the baton, each conductor will highlight their unique role in PSO history, anchored by the performance of PSO musicians.
Accompanying the program is Anna Clyne’s Quarter Days, a reflection on the passing of time—within a minute, a day, through the seasons and within a lifetime. Co-commissioned by the PSO, Quarter Days is a new work, featuring the principal string players of the PSO.
PSO Opening Weekend
Matt LaBerge conducts and teaches PSO Childrens Choir
Community sing-a-long
Monday, September 23, 2024
6:00 PM
Merrill Auditorium
Join the PSO for the opening weekend of our 100th anniversary season with our Community Sing-A-Long! Unite with the PSO and greater Portland community through song. From the inspiring notes of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to Beethoven’s timeless “Ode to Joy,” come together for an unforgettable evening of musical camaraderie.
Free & open to all; pre-registration required.
PSO Opening Weekend
Beethoven’s 9th
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
7:00 PM
MerriLl Auditorium
Former PSO Music Directors Bruce Hangen (1976-1986) and Toshiyuki Shimada (1986-2006) join current Music Director Eckart Preu (2019-present) in a celebration of the passage of time, bridging the past to the present.
Please note: due to a scheduling conflict, Robert Moody will not be able to be at this performance. Music Director Eckart Preu will conduct movements three and four of the work.
First performed 200 years ago, Beethoven’s 9th has stood the test of time as the composer’s final, and most exuberant symphony. Each Music Director will take to the podium to conduct one of the pieces movements—through the passing of the baton, each conductor will highlight their unique role in PSO history, anchored by the performance of PSO musicians.
Accompanying the program is Anna Clyne’s Quarter Days, a reflection on the passing of time—within a minute, a day, through the seasons and within a lifetime. Co-commissioned by the PSO, Quarter Days is a new work, featuring the principal string players of the PSO.
