What is now known as the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) began as the Memphis Sinfonietta in 1952. The orchestra presents programming for students of all ages, from its Kinderconcerts for five to seven-year-olds to MSO Ensemble Concerts for high school students, as well as its mentoring program for students at The Soulsville Charter School.
More traditional concerts are supplemented by the MSO’s Opus One series, helmed by the musicians themselves, which is dedicated to “good music without boundaries of era, genre, or locale.” Additional innovative programs include the chamber music series Arts in the Airport, which, as the name suggests, takes place at the Memphis & Shelby County International Airport, and Lead From Every Chair, a team-building workshop for corporations.
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Information
- Venues: Cannon Center for the Performing Arts (255 N. Main Street, Memphis); Germantown Performing Arts Centre (1801 Exeter Road, Germantown); Wiener Theater at the Hutchison School (1740 Ridgeway Road, Memphis); and various other venues
- Public Transportation: Excellent for Cannon Center for the Performing Arts (a short walk from buses 4, 7, 12, 13, 15, 39, and 57 at Front Street/Winchester Avenue; buses 2, 10, 19, 20, 40, 43, 50, 56, and 58 at Second Street/Market Avenue; and the River Front Trolley Line and Main Street Trolley Line at the Main Street/Exchange Street stop). Good for both Germantown Performing Arts Centre (a 4-minute walk from buses 50G and 82 at Germantown Road/Farmington Road) and the Wiener Theater (a 6-minute walk from bus 57 at Primacy Pkwy/Ridgeway Road). Other venues vary
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good for all locations
- Performances/Programs: Masterworks Series–15 performances, eight programs; Pops Series–5 performances; Classic Accents Series–3 performances; Opus One–3 performances; Special Concerts–9 performances, four programs
- Ticket Prices: Range from $8–$78 depending on event and seating selection
- Subscriptions: Several options are available: Masterworks Series–8 Saturday concerts ($60–$312) or 7 Sunday concerts ($157.50); Pops Series–5 concerts ($37.50–$195); Classic Accents Series–3 concerts ($58.50); Opus One Series–3 concerts ($67.50); and the EasyPass six-ticket set for $180, which can be used for most concerts. Subscriber benefits include flexible ticket exchange, priority seating, and special discounts.
