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2025-2026 Season Symphony, redesigned with you in mind. One of the first hybrid orchestras of its kind, the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra blends rising stars om the McDuffie Center for Strings with professional musicians and mentors om the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to make classical music more accessible. Hear timeless favorites and bold new works at the historic Piedmont Grand Opera House. Major funding for the MMSO is provided by the Peyton Anderson Foundation. Monday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Joseph Young, guest conductor Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 Stravinsky Firebird Suite The evening begins with the co-winner of the 2025 Mercer University Concerto Competition, McDuffie junior Kathryn Fakeley, soloing on Elgar's deeply moving Cello Concerto, and ends in fireworks with the iconic Firebird Suite. Rising star Joseph Young debuts at the MMSO. Monday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Peter Oundjian, guest conductor Mike Mills, bass guitar Robert McDuffie, violin Brahms Symphony No. 1 Mills Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra It's an evening of reunions, with the ever- popular Peter Oundjian returning to the podium to conduct Brahms' masterpiece, while R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills and violinist Robert McDuffie return to perform Mills' exhilarating rock 'n' roll Concerto. Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra 2025-2026 Season Symphony, redesigned with you in mind. One of the first hybrid orchestras of its kind, the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra blends rising stars om the McDuffie Center for Strings with professional musicians and mentors om the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to make classical music more accessible. Hear timeless favorites and bold new works at the historic Piedmont Grand Opera House. Major funding for the MMSO is provided by the Peyton Anderson Foundation. Monday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Joseph Young, guest conductor Rossini Overture to La Gazza Ladra Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 Stravinsky Firebird Suite The evening begins with the co-winner of the 2025 Mercer University Concerto Competition, McDuffie junior Kathryn Fakeley, soloing on Elgar's deeply moving Cello Concerto, and ends in fireworks with the iconic Firebird Suite. Rising star Joseph Young debuts at the MMSO. Monday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Peter Oundjian, guest conductor Mike Mills, bass guitar Robert McDuffie, violin Brahms Symphony No. 1 Mills Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra It's an evening of reunions, with the ever- popular Peter Oundjian returning to the podium to conduct Brahms' masterpiece, while R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills and violinist Robert McDuffie return to perform Mills' exhilarating rock 'n' roll Concerto. Tickets: $35 premium seats | $25 regular seats Free for students of all ages with any valid Student ID Subscribe & Save: $120 premium season seats $85 regular season seats $60 Mercer Faculty/Staff and Young Patron's Circle Subscribe at 478-301-5470 or mcduffie.mercer.edu Symphony Tickets Monday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Mei Ann Chen, guest conductor Mahler Symphony No. 1 Songwriters from Otis Redding Center for the Arts The MMSO welcomes Mei Ann Chen to the podium, bringing her energy and passion to Mahler's first symphony, fittingly called "Titan." We open the evening with a showcase of talented young songwriters from the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, exploring everything from the blues to hip-hop. Monday, Apr. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Yaniv Segal, conductor Mercer University Concerto Competition Winner Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 Yaniv Segal, Director of Orchestral Training at McDuffie, leads the orchestra as we close out the season. The evening features the winner of the 2026 Mercer University Concerto Competition and Shostakovich's intensely dark symphony.