Fort Wayne Philharmonic

Behind the scenes with Beethoven 9! Just a few tickets are left for tonight’s concert! Beethoven’s 9th and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus’s 60th Anniversary Celebration! May 16, 2026, 7:30 pm at PFW Music Center ⭐ . Tickets available on our website! Use code SPRING26 to Buy One Get One 1/2 Off!* . @andrew_constantine_conductor @jonkimuraparker , Pianist Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, Benjamin Rivera, Director DePaul University Concert Choir, Eric Esparza, Director of Choral Studies Martha Guth, soprano Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Charles Reid, tenor Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone . Beethoven composed his fifth and final piano concerto, “The Emperor”, while feeling the effects of Napoleon’s war in Vienna. He wrote to his publisher that in order to save what little hearing he had left, he would go to his brother’s cellar and cover his ears with pillows. The heroic style and military symbolism which inspired “The Emperor” will be ably displayed by virtuoso piano soloist Jon Kimura Parker. Regarded by many critics and musicologists as one of the supreme masterpieces of all music, Beethoven’s final complete symphony, “The Ninth”, was the first such work to include a chorus and vocal soloists. By then, his deafness was so complete that after conducting the symphony’s premiere he couldn’t even hear the audience go wild, and had to be turned around to witness their standing ovation. This season’s grand finale also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus. Program ↙️ . BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, “Emperor” Allegro Adagio un poco mosso Rondo: Allegro Jon Kimura Parker, piano . Intermission . BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, “Choral” Allegro ma non troppo; un poco maestoso Molto vivace Adagio molto e cantabile Presto – Allegro assai – Allegro assai vivace Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus DePaul University Concert Choir Martha Guth, soprano Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Charles Reid, tenor Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone . . *Not valid on previously purchased tickets.

BIG BEETHOVEN! 💥 The final Masterworks concert of the 2025-26 season, with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, featuring pianist Jon Kimura Parker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, with a 100-voice chorus and four soloists. 🌟 Thank you to @whatzupftwayne and Wheat Williams for bringing attention to this special concert! Read an excerpt of the article below! "They’re calling it “Big Beethoven,” and yeah, it’s gonna be grand. Most importantly, it’s the 50th anniversary of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, 81 avid amateur singers who are your friends and neighbors. They will be joined by members of the DePaul University Concert Choir, with their director, Eric Esparza. The vocal soloists are nationally renowned: soprano Martha Guth, mezzo-soprano Anna Kelly, tenor Charles Reid, and bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba. Artistic Director Andrew Constantine ended the Phil’s Celebrating America 250 series last month with their Pilgrimage of the Soul concert April 11. Over five concerts, they presented engaging, startling orchestral works by living composers from the U.S., paired with more traditional 19th-century European classical fare. Now that the Celebrating America 250 series is over, they are going all-in on the traditional, with some of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most stirring and uplifting music. The Phil’s program notes call this “a celebration of the human spirit.” . Use code SPRING26 to Buy One Get One 1/2 Off!* Tickets available by clicking the link in our bio!

CALLING ALL ARTISTS & GRAPHIC ARTISTS! Your artwork could be on the 2026 Patriotic Pops T-Shirt! ✨❤️ Submit your design by May 17th! . We’re looking for a design that celebrates the heart of this orchestra, the pride of this community, and the joy of coming together through music. 🤍💙 . 🏆 WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE WINNER? 👕 2 free t‑shirts with your design 🎟️ 2 ticket vouchers for the 2026/27 season 🎤 Onstage shout‑outs at every Patriotic Pops concert 🎼 A meet & greet with conductor Caleb Young . As part of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic is inviting our community to help shape Patriotic Pops—by featuring your artwork on the official Patriotic Pops T‑shirt, sold at all six regional concerts this summer! . . Final designs will be shared for community voting, then selected based on votes, creativity, and printability. If the Philharmonic means something special to you—this is your moment. . 📥 Submit your design by May 17, 2026! Click the link in our bio for submission details!

💫 Club Orchestra Celebration Concert 💫 May 12th at 6:30 pm at the PFW Music Center Emily Thompson, Philharmonic Club Orchestras Program Manager Erin Bean, Philharmonic Director of Community Engagement Matthew Schiebel, FWCS Executive Director of Safety & Community Partnerships Experience the evolution of music education with performances by all Club Orchestra students, including Club Kid-O (Pre-K & K-1) and Club O (Grades 2-5), along with the Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

Closing Night and Beethoven's 9th! Don't miss this epic concert! ⚡🔥 May 16, 2026, 7:30 pm at PFW Music Center ⭐ . Tickets available on our website! Use code SPRING26 to Buy One Get One 1/2 Off!* . @andrew_constantine_conductor @jonkimuraparker , Pianist Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, Benjamin Rivera, Director DePaul University Concert Choir, Eric Esparza, Director of Choral Studies Martha Guth, soprano Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Charles Reid, tenor Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone . Beethoven composed his fifth and final piano concerto, “The Emperor”, while feeling the effects of Napoleon’s war in Vienna. He wrote to his publisher that in order to save what little hearing he had left, he would go to his brother’s cellar and cover his ears with pillows. The heroic style and military symbolism which inspired “The Emperor” will be ably displayed by virtuoso piano soloist Jon Kimura Parker. Regarded by many critics and musicologists as one of the supreme masterpieces of all music, Beethoven’s final complete symphony, “The Ninth”, was the first such work to include a chorus and vocal soloists. By then, his deafness was so complete that after conducting the symphony’s premiere he couldn’t even hear the audience go wild, and had to be turned around to witness their standing ovation. This season’s grand finale also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus. Program ↙️ . BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, “Emperor” Allegro Adagio un poco mosso Rondo: Allegro Jon Kimura Parker, piano . Intermission . BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, “Choral” Allegro ma non troppo; un poco maestoso Molto vivace Adagio molto e cantabile Presto – Allegro assai – Allegro assai vivace Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus DePaul University Concert Choir Martha Guth, soprano Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Charles Reid, tenor Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone . . *Not valid on previously purchased tickets.

⚡ Youth Orchestras: Superhero Soloists 💥 Sunday, May 10th at 4:00 pm PFW Music Center . Troy Webdell, conductor Rodney Lamar Page, composer . 🌟 Program 🌟 . JUNIOR STRINGS ORCHESTRA . PAGE Rustic Warriors . SCHUBERT Theme and Variations from “The Trout” . HEFTI Batman Theme . YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA . WILLIAMS Superman Returns. . VIVALDI Violin Concerto in A Minor Allegro Lucia Arbogast, violin MOZART Concerto for Flute in G Major Allegro maestoso Alissa Verhoff, flute BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1 Allegro moderato Melissa Tan, violin MACDOWELL Piano Concerto No. 2 Larghetto Calmato Dylan Klaehn, piano BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 Allegro Finale . . Children get in free! Tickets can be purchased on our website!

TOMORROW, SATURDAY 5/9!! LET'S GROOVE TONIGHT! Join us Saturday, May 9th! ✨ Soul and R&B sounds of Motown face off against the famous hits of the Philly Sound 🔥 . Use code SPRING26 to Buy One Get One 1/2 Off!* Purchase tickets by clicking the link in our bio! . Program ↙️ ✨ TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) -- by Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff, As Recorded by MFSB 🎵 Let’s Groove -- by Maurice White and Wayne Lee Vaughn, As Recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire ✨ I Heard It Through the Grapevine -- by Barret Strong and Norman Whitfield, As Recorded by Marvin Gaye 🎵 Could it be I’m Falling in Love -- by Melvin Steals and Mervin Steals, As Recorded by The Spinners ✨ You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine -- by Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff, As Recorded by Lou Rawls 🎵 Hurt So Bad -- by Bobby Hart, Teddy Randazzo and Robert Wilding, As Recorded by Little Anthony & The Imperials ✨ My Girl -- by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, As Recorded by The Temptations 🎵 I’ll Be Around -- by Thomas Randolph Bell and Phil Hurtt , As Recorded by The Spinners ✨ Back Stabbers -- by Leon A. Huff, Gene McFadden & John Cavadus Whitehead, As Recorded by The O’Jays 🎵 Don’t Leave Me This Way -- by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff & Cary Gilbert, As Recorded by Thelma Houston INTERMISSION ✨ A Fifth of Beethoven -- by Ludwig van Beethoven and Walter Murphy, as Recorded by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band 🎵 Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today) -- by Norman Whitfield and Barret Strong, As Recorded by The Temptations ✨ People Make the World Go Around -- by Thomas Randolph Bell and Linda Epstein, As Recorded by The Stylistics 🎵 Me and Mrs. Jones -- by Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff & Cary Gilbert, As Recorded by Billy Paul ✨ I’m Coming Out -- by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, As Recorded by Diana Ross 🎵 Rock the Boat -- by Waldo T. Holmes, As Recorded by The Hues Corporation ✨ Love Train -- by Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff, As Recorded by The O’Jays 🎵 Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now -- by Jerry Cohen, Gene McFadden & John Whitehead, as Recorded by McFadden & Whitehead . . *Not valid on previously purchased tickets

❤️🤍💙✨ PATRIOTIC POPS T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST ✨❤️🤍💙 . As part of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic is inviting our community to help shape Patriotic Pops—by featuring your artwork on the official Patriotic Pops T‑shirt, sold at all six regional concerts this summer! . We’re looking for a design that celebrates the heart of this orchestra, the pride of this community, and the joy of coming together through music. . 🏆 WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE WINNER? 👕 2 free t‑shirts with your design 🎟️ 2 ticket vouchers for the 2026/27 season 🎤 Onstage shout‑outs at every Patriotic Pops concert 🎼 A meet & greet with conductor Caleb Young . Final designs will be shared for community voting, then selected based on votes, creativity, and printability. If the Philharmonic means something special to you—this is your moment. . 📥 Submit your design by May 17, 2026 -- LINK IN OUR BIO!

FORT WAYNE ZOO STORIES IN MUSIC UPDATE! 🍃📚 Due to weather conditions, today's Stories in Music event at 12:00 PM will be held in the Education Building at the Fort Wayne Zoo. The Education Building is located adjacent to the additional parking lot, across Sherman Boulevard from the main zoo entrance and parking lot. . Let the wild rumpus start! Join the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Brass Quintet at the zoo for a special Stories in Music performance featuring the beloved children’s classic Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. . Follow Max on his imaginative adventure as he sails away, tames the Wild Things, and returns home just in time for supper. This lively performance blends live narration by Jonah Farnum with music performed by the Philharmonic’s Brass Quintet, creating a playful and engaging experience for children and families. . Perfect for young listeners and story lovers of all ages. 🎟 Free to attend performance once zoo entrance ticket is purchased!

LET'S GROOVE TONIGHT! Join us Saturday, May 9th! ✨ Soul and R&B sounds of Motown face off against the famous hits of the Philly Sound 🔥 Thank you to @whatzupftwayne and Wheat Williams for bringing attention to this special concert! . Use code SPRING26 to Buy One Get One 1/2 Off!* Tickets >> Philharmonic /event/pops-5-25-26/ Read the Whatzup article >> /philharmonic-invite-you-to-get-your-groove-on/ . . *Not valid on previously purchased tickets

🌟 Beethoven’s 9th: An Ode to Joy and the Philharmonic Chorus’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! 🌟 Join us for the closing night of the 25/26 Season on May 16th at 7:30 pm! Tickets available on our website! Use code SPRING26 to Buy One Get One 1/2 Off!* . 🌟 Experience a masterpiece that changed the world! 🌟 Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is a triumphant celebration of freedom, unity, and the human spirit. Written while he was nearly deaf, it remains one of the most extraordinary achievements in music. The final movement, “Ode to Joy,” is one of the most recognizable melodies ever composed. Hear this monumental work performed live and feel its impact for yourself. . Tickets are available on our website! . @andrew_constantine_conductor @jonkimuraparker , Pianist Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus, Benjamin Rivera, Director DePaul University Concert Choir, Eric Esparza, Director of Choral Studies Martha Guth, soprano Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Charles Reid, tenor Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone . Program ↙️ . BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, “Emperor” Allegro Adagio un poco mosso Rondo: Allegro Jon Kimura Parker, piano Intermission BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, “Choral” Allegro ma non troppo; un poco maestoso Molto vivace Adagio molto e cantabile Presto – Allegro assai – Allegro assai vivace Fort Wayne Philharmonic Chorus DePaul University Concert Choir Martha Guth, soprano Anna Kelly, mezzo-soprano Charles Reid, tenor Richard Ollarsaba, bass-baritone . . . . *Not valid on previously purchased tickets.

Join us for an elegant Mother’s Day afternoon tea experience in collaboration with Silk & Honey House in the stunning Chapman Music Room. A complete dining experience that features savory finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, seasonal sweets and a curated tea selection, accompanied with sparkling juice beverage. Seatings at 11:00am & 3:00pm. This is a 90 minute experience. Limited to 24 guests per seating. Link in bio🤍