The Racine Symphony Orchestra kicks off the season with the hugely popular Summer Lakeside Pops. The RSO moved these concerts to the historic Memorial Hall, 72 Seventh St., in downtown Racine. The format will be very similar to what audiences enjoyed in previous years.

At the concert on June 24 at 7:30 p.m., the RSO will feature virtuoso bayan player (accordionist) Stas Venglevski performing Argentinean tangos and other dance-related works. At the August 26 concert at 7:30 p.m., the RSO will feature jazz vocalist Corynn Latta in a program of jazz big band music arranged for the RSO.

The Fall Masterworks concert at 7:30 p.m. on September 23 will feature trumpet virtuoso Jean Laurenz, assistant professor of trumpet at the prestigious University of Wisconsin-Madison, and chamber brass ensemble Seraph Brass. Laurenz will perform Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto as part of the Haydn Project as well as Aaron Copland’s sublime “Quiet City”. Gorecki’s Harpsichord Concerto, Haydn’s 91st Symphony and Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella” complete a program that will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave.

Musical flights are returning due to their popularity last season. These informal chamber music concerts and wine tastings take place at Uncorkt, 240 Main St. Four performances and tastings are scheduled for the fall and late winter. These events create opportunities to meet and talk with RSO musicians after their performance, as well as taste different wines provided by Uncorkt.

“Musical Flights has brought the RSO to a new audience wanting a refined and intimate experience in downtown Racine,” said Heather Keszler, RSO’s Manager of Guest Services and Marketing.

Holiday Pops will feature Racine’s high school choirs and include holiday music and backing vocals.

“This concert is always the most popular of the season and we are delighted to be working with our young people again,” said Winkle.

The new year presents opportunities for our young people. On February 12, the RSO will hold the Young Artist Competition, a concerto competition for advanced students of instrumental music. This program gives students the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and be the featured guest soloist at the Masterworks concert on April 7.

In March, the RSO will present its annual educational concerts for elementary school students. This program introduces students to the different groups of instruments and the role of the conductor. It also creates the opportunity to learn concert etiquette, while instilling an appreciation for classical music.

Pasquale Laurino, artistic director and conductor of the RSO, has chosen a deeply significant work to perform in April on Good Friday, Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ”. The performance will take place at the First Presbyterian Church, a particularly poignant location for this work.

The RSO will welcome international violin virtuoso Jennifer Frautschi to perform Brahms’ monumental Violin Concerto in D Major, and conclude the season with Mussorgsky’s exhilarating ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’. Maurice Ravel’s popular arrangement will put everyone on their feet in one of the most thrilling endings in all of music.

“We are grateful for the support of our donors, members of the public and the Racine community as a whole,” Keszler said. “Our community values ​​the arts, and this support has allowed us to increase the number of concerts and events to include more variety and continue to be a vibrant part of downtown Racine. »

For information on concerts and other events, email info@racinesymphony.org, call 262 636-9285, or visit rootsymphony.org.