By: Ann Fink
New Philharmonic, the professional orchestra in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage, announces its 2024-2025 season.
“I’m excited to begin my 20th year with New Philharmonic,” said Maestro Kirk Muspratt. “At New Philharmonic we pride ourselves in our splendid performances of the best-loved classical music, but also enjoy performing orchestral music’s hidden gems to give audiences one of the most exciting symphonic experiences they can find anywhere.”
MAC Director Diana Martinez marveled at the group’s evolution under Maestro Muspratt’s baton.
“His passion for orchestra music, pursuit of excellence, dedication to education and endless curiosity never ceases to resonate with our long-time patrons and continues to draw new fans at a time when many organizations have seen their audiences wane,” she said. “We are so lucky to have him on the podium for this landmark season as we anticipate what looks to be one of New Philharmonic’s best seasons yet.”
New Philharmonic’s 2024-2025 Season begins with “Ravel and Mahler” featuring Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G-Major with guest pianist Winston Choi and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D-Major (Oct. 5 and 6). Given the huge response to last year’s two “John Williams’ Music Makes the Movie” concert performances, this season New Philharmonic will present three performances of “Music Makes the Movies: John Williams 2.0” featuring even more works of the prolific movie score composer (Nov. 1 to 3).
For the holidays, New Philharmonic once again performs Tchaikovsky’s beloved “The Nutcracker” score live when Salt Creek Ballet returns to the MAC with this holiday favorite (Dec.14 and 15). New Philharmonic will close out 2024 with three fun and celebratory New Year’s Eve performances featuring the return of dynamic operatic bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba (Dec. 31).
New Philharmonic opens 2025 with a concert performance of Gaetano Donizetti’s popular comedic melodrama, “Elixir of Love,” showcasing a roster of exciting guest vocalists (Jan. 25 and 26). The season concludes with a final program featuring “Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” with guest violinist Yang Liu, plus Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 (April 12 and 13).
All performances will take place in the MAC’s Belushi Performance Hall on the College’s Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.
Subscriptions for New Philharmonic’s 2024-2025 Season are now on sale. Those subscribing before May 10 receive up to 25% off single ticket prices, the best savings of the season. Beginning May 10, subscription savings drops to 20% off single ticket prices. Subscribers can also secure tickets at a discount to Salt Creek Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 14 and 15) in advance of the general public.
Single concert tickets go on sale July 24. Dates, artists and prices are subject to change. For more information visit atthemac.org or call the MAC Box Office at (630) 942-4000.
New Philharmonic, the only professional orchestra based in DuPage County, has inspired classical music enthusiasts in Chicago and the suburbs for more than four decades. New Philharmonic was recently honored with the Illinois Council of Orchestras’ 2020 ICO Award in the category Programming of the Year. It continues to thrive with the goal to give innovative treatment to both classic compositions and modern works while striving to make the music accessible to new audiences and youth through a variety of educational efforts. Today, under the direction of Music Director/Conductor Kirk Muspratt, named 2018 Conductor of the Year (Professional Orchestra) by Illinois Council of Orchestras, New Philharmonic consists of more than 60 professional musicians and typically performs more than a dozen concerts a year,reaching more than 7,500 from the greater Chicago area annually.
Season support for New Philharmonic is provided in part by the DuPage Foundation, a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Brookdale Glen Ellyn; Sullivan Taylor Family Trust, Frank Modruson and Lynne Shigley, Anonymous, 90.9 FM WDCB Public Radio and the College of DuPage Foundation.