Photo by Becky DiGiglio

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Choose THREE or more concerts and receive
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"CHOOSE YOUR OWN" PACKAGE TODAY!

Welcome to the Conrad Prebys 2024 Summer Season at The Rady Shell @ Jacobs Park! We are so excited for you to come back to the San Diego Symphony's premier outdoor venue and enjoy live music with friends, family...and the rest of your fellow San Diegans and visitors! We have put together another exciting season for you, beginning June 28. We have a wide variety of full and half subscription weekend series available for you, and some Special Concerts, including a few that happen during the week. New subscribers are welcome and will enjoy all of the beauty, unparalleled sound and breathtaking sight-lines this exceptional venue has to offer.

Feel free to subscribe to as many packages as you like! (Seating and pricing may differ from package to package, however.) As a great subscriber benefit, you may exchange for FREE into any subscription concert, just let us know what you need in the comments section of your order. (If you are exchanging to a more expensive seat, you'll need to pay the difference; if to a less expensive seat, you get a credit!) Finally, we encourage you to add one or more of our Special Concert offerings, which you will have priority access to before they are available for sale to the general public!

Follow this link for our comprehensive Press Release about
the 2024 Conrad Prebys Season at The Rady Shell!

The San Diego Union-Tribune has printed a preview article about
our just-announced 2024 Season at The Rady Shell.
Follow this link to check it out!



Got big summer travel plans in June and July? Enjoy the Saturday C series when you return! Beginning on August 17, you'll get to squeeze in a last blast of summer fun with outstanding "top-to-bottom" recreations of pop culture album treasures Kind of Blue (Miles Davis), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles) and Rumours (Fleetwood Mac).

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue

Saturday, August 17, 7:30pm

Join Gilbert Castellanos and friends as they celebrate Miles Davis and his all-star band at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. One of the greatest albums of all time and the best-selling jazz album ever, Miles Davis' masterpiece Kind of Blue is as relevant and revered today as when it was recorded in 1959.

Talented student musicians of the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory perform a pre-concert set.

Gilbert Castellanos, trumpet
James Mahone, alto sax
Joel Frahm, tenor sax
Danton Boller, bass
Donald Vega, piano
Willie Jones III, drums

Classic Albums Live Performs The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Saturday, August 31, 7:30pm

Classic Albums Live honors The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with a performance featuring some of the world’s best musicians and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Every detail of the album will be performed with precision and grace, from the sitars and orchestra to the guitars and kazoos. Classic Albums Live will deliver a performance that is note for note - cut for cut.

Expect to hear all the hits, such as “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “A Day in the Life,” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.” But, also take a deeper dive into tracks like George Harrison’s experimental “Within Without You,” John Lennon’s fantastical “Being for The Benefit of Mr. Kite!” and McCartney’s gem “Fixing a Hole.”

The second half of the show will take us even further into The Beatles catalog, celebrating a collection of their greatest hits that you know and love, found on their other legendary albums.

Christopher Dragon, conductor
Classic Albums Live, music collective
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Classic Albums Live Performs Fleetwood Mac's Rumours

Saturday, September 21, 7:30pm

Classical Albums Live performs Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, their eleventh studio album released in 1977, note for note, cut for cut. Enjoy live performances of such immortal classics as "The Chain," "Second Hand News," "Go Your Own Way," "You Make Loving Fun," "Dreams" and so many more!

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this concert.

Buy Now

From Harry Connick Jr. to the Commodores, from Marc Shaiman to Trombone Shorty, some of the most in-demand concerts of the summer will be our Summer 2024 Special Concerts. Add as many as you want to spice up your season subscription order.  Get the best available seats for these super-popular artists BEFORE they go on sale to the general public!

An Evening with MARC SHAIMAN and his Music

Wednesday, July 3, 7:30pm
Sleepless in Seattle, Hairspray, Beaches, Sister Act, Smash and more!

Marc Shaiman has been Oscar-nominated seven times (for Mary Poppins Returns [2 noms], Sleepless in Seattle, Patch Adams, The First Wives Club, The American President and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut). He has received three Tony Award nominations (winning one for writing the music to Hairspray and lyrics with co-lyricist Scott Wittman), five Grammy® Awards nominations (winning two for The Original Cast Recordings of Hairspray and for Some Like it Hot), twelve Emmy Award nominations (winning one for his work on one of Billy Crystal’s Academy Award hosting appearances), four Golden Globe nominations (including The Star, song co-written with Mariah Carey) and two BAFTA nominations (Sleepless In Seattle and Mary Poppins Returns).

Marc Shaiman, pianist, performer, composer, lyricist, orchestrator and musician
Steven Reineke, conductor
Rory Donovan, vocalist
Elizabeth Stanley, vocalist
Shayna Steele, vocalist
and Special Guest Appearances by Marissa Jaret Winokur and Jenifer Lewis
Musical theatre and vocal arts majors from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts-(SDSCPA)
Coronado School of the Arts Musical Theatre and Drama Conservatory
Jeff Atmajian & Samuel Hoad, music supervisors
Lou Mirabal, executive producer
Allen J. Sviridoff, concert producer
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Fourth of July with the COMMODORES

Thursday, July 4, 7:30pm

Celebrate the 4th of July at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park with the Commodores! Then relax and stay after the concert for a front row seat to the Big Bay Boom fireworks display on San Diego Bay.

The Commodores aren’t just any group - they have staying power. Just like their hit song "Brick House," the Commodores have created a foundation that just won’t budge. For three decades, the Grammy® Award-winning Commodores have remained a force in the music industry. These legends of Motown put on one of the best live shows around, with hit after hit. With all the emotion and all of the excitement they'll generate at The Rady Shell, if you haven’t seen them LIVE, you haven’t heard the Commodores!

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this concert.

HARRY CONNICK, JR.

Saturday, July 6, 7:30pm

Harry Connick, Jr.’s career has exemplified excellence across multiple platforms in the entertainment world over the past three decades. He has received GRAMMY® and Emmy awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements in film and television and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer. Connick continues to establish himself as a best-selling musician and singer, a composer, actor and legendary live performer, with millions of recordings sold around the world.

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.

JEWEL & MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Tuesday, July 23, 7:30pm

Jewel went from a girl who grew up with no running water on an Alaskan homestead, to a homeless teenager in San Diego, to an award-winning, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist who released one of the best-selling debuts of all time. Through her career, Jewel has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, earned 26 Music Award nominations, including the GRAMMYs®, American Music Awards, MTV Awards, VH1 Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Country Music Awards, winning 8 times.

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 GRAMMY® Awards show. Her popularity grew around such memorable originals as "Bring Me Some Water," "No Souvenirs" and "Ain't It Heavy," for which she won a GRAMMY® in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993). The collection featured the hits, "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window," a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second GRAMMY® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret, including the hit single, "I Want to Come Over." Her success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

Friday, August 9, 7:30pm

The San Diego Symphony will present Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with composer John Williams’ venerated score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Norman Huynh.

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.

The film and its RIAA® gold-certified soundtrack feature eleven score cues composed by legendary Academy Award® and Grammy Award®-winning John Williams.

As the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, the Rebel Fleet counters with a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel.

The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

Norman Huynh, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

JASON MRAZ and THE SUPERBAND: The Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride

Sunday, August 11, 7:30pm

Jason Mraz and The Superband return to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, this time backed up by the glorious sounds of the San Diego Symphony, one of only two dates on this tour accompanied by symphony orchestra!

Jason Mraz and The Superband

Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Please Note: Sunday A subscribers already have Jason Mraz on their series; all other subscribers would need to add this as a Special Concert add-on to their order.

TROMBONE SHORTY and Orleans Ave

Friday, September 6, 7pm
...with Special Guest BIG BOI!

Grammy®-winning horn player Trombone Shorty puts a New Orleans spin on everything he plays. Prowling the stage with his band, Orleans Avenue, he delivers an explosive performance blurring the lines between funk, jazz and R&B.

Big Boi made history as the preeminent spitter of the Dungeon Family and one half of OutKast. He set the pace for Atlanta hip-hop, and by proxy, the culture at large.

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this concert.

Add to a Subscription Order!

The Sunday night A series at The Rady Shell this season features an unmatched lineup of superstars from the worlds of rock, pop and Broadway. Over seven summer evenings you'll see live performances by Audra McDonald, Jason Mraz and Pink Martini with the San Diego Symphony, along with concert appearances by Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Gipsy Kings and The Beach Boys. As an extra treat, you'll hear a dual tribute to those icons of American music Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

An Evening with AUDRA MCDONALD

Sunday, June 30, 7:30pm

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she received a National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. She won Tonys for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, which also served as the vehicle for her Olivier-nominated 2017 West End debut.

Audra McDonald joins the San Diego Symphony for a special evening of Broadway favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, George Gershwin, and many others, with songs from her latest album, Sing Happy.

Photos © Allison Michael Orenstein

Audra McDonald, vocalist
Andy Einhorn, conductor
Jeremy Ajani Jordan, piano
Gene Lewin, drums
Mark Vanderpoel, bass
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Icons of Song: The Music of Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder

Sunday, July 7, 7:30pm

This second edition of Icons of Song from maestro Ted Sperling brings together the music of two legendary American singer-songwriters: Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. Each artist boasts a singular and far-reaching catalog of songs that have unquestionably become part of America’s, and the world’s, shared musical history.

Both musicians have been crafting tunes and enchanting audiences for more than half a century, penning hundreds of songs from "Bridge over Troubled Water" to "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and many, many more. In this special symphonic program, favorite hits as well as a few deep cuts are brought to life by three powerhouse signers in new orchestrations that showcase the enduring excitement of these iconic songs.

Ted Sperling, conductor
Vocalists TBA
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

LOS LOBOS + LOS LONELY BOYS: The Brotherhood Tour

Sunday, August 4, 7:00pm
...with special guest SON ROMPE PERA!

Get ready to experience an electrifying fusion of musical talent as two legendary bands, Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, come together for an unforgettable co-headlining tour, aptly titled "The Brotherhood Tour." Joining them as support is the dynamic group Son Rompe Pera. This tour promises to be a celebration of culture, camaraderie and the unifying power of music.

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.

JASON MRAZ and THE SUPERBAND: The Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride

Sunday, August 11, 7:30pm

Jason Mraz and The Superband return to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, this time backed up by the glorious sounds of the San Diego Symphony, one of only two dates on this tour accompanied by symphony orchestra!

Jason Mraz and The Superband

Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

GIPSY KINGS featuring NICOLAS REYES

Sunday, August 18, 7:30pm

Gipsy Kings, founded in 1978 in Arles and Montpellier, in southern France, are well known for their mix of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa, and pop. Gipsy Kings became popular with their self-titled third album, which included the songs "Djobi Djoba", "Bamboléo", and the ballad "Un Amor". Nicolas Reyes, founder and lead singer, heads this band, still made up of members of the Reyes and Baliardo families.

Note: the San Diego Symphony Orchestra does not appear on this program.

PINK MARTINI featuring China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour

Sunday, August 25, 7:30pm

Pink Martini, the globetrotting “little orchestra,” helmed by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, returns to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park to celebrate their 30th anniversary year with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. A night of big, bold, genre-defying songs brings the audience on a trip through time and space. Featuring lead singer China Forbes, this band is “impressive at every musician’s station,” as Variety says; “the ensemble produces music that’s charming and elegant.”

Evan Roider, conductor
Thomas Lauderdale, piano
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

THE BEACH BOYS: Endless Summer Gold

Sunday, September 1, 7:30pm

The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Between the 1960s and today, the group had over 80 songs chart worldwide, 36 of them in the US Top 40 (the most by a US rock band), and four topping the Billboard Hot 100. Their influence on other artists spans musical genres and movements. Countless artists have cited Pet Sounds as their inspiration for creating their own musical masterpieces. Rolling Stone ranked Pet Sounds No. 2 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and The Beach Boys No. 12 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”

The Beach Boys are led by lead singer and critically acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band.

(Note: This concert will not feature Brian Wilson, Al Jardine or David Marks. The San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.)

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

Start your summer weekends off right with an eight-concert Friday night A series. You'll enjoy a satisfying mix of classical music (Opening Night, Tchaikovsky Spectacular) and Broadway masterpieces (Rent in Concert, Sondheim Tonight!) spiced up with an intriguing evening of Symphonic reggae (Ziggy Marley with the San Diego Symphony) and a pure blast of '80s nostalgia (Totally '80s).

Summer 2024 Opening Night with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, June 28, 7:30pm

Celebrate the opening of the Conrad Prebys 2024 Summer Season at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gemma New and pianist Olga Kern. The concert features Kern performing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, as well as Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (including the well-known “Hoe-down” movement) and Rimsky-Korsakov's fiery Capriccio espagnol, which is based on Spanish folk melodies.

Gemma New, conductor
Olga Kern, piano

John ADAMS: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
COPLAND: "Four Dance Episodes" from Rodeo
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34

ZIGGY MARLEY with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, July 5, 7:30pm

Ziggy Marley joins the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for an evening of music by the eight-time Grammy® winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist and humanitarian who has cultivated a legendary career for close to 40 years.

The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock and other elements through mindful songcraft. Equal parts master storyteller and motivational guide, he deftly explores issues from environmental awareness to self-empowerment, social injustice to political inequity, while returning again and again to the transformative power of love.

Ziggy Marley, guitar and vocals
Christopher Dragon, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven by the Bay

Friday, July 12, 7:30pm

The San Diego Symphony’s annual Beethoven by the Bay all-Beethoven concert features violinist Geneva Lewis performing his Violin Concerto. Nicolas Ellis leads the orchestra in the indominable Symphony No. 5.

Nicolas Ellis, conductor
Geneva Lewis, violin
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

BEETHOVEN: Overture to Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

FIELD OF DREAMS in Concert (World Premiere)

Friday, July 19, 7:30pm

“If you build it, he will come.” 

 Considered one of the most inspirational movies of all time, Field of Dreams is a heartwarming story that has moved critics and audiences like no other film of its generation.

Haunted by a mysterious voice he can’t ignore, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) confounds his neighbors by transforming his cornfield into a place where dreams can come true, and where he can finally come to terms with his own unsettled past. The all-star cast also features Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Hollywood legend Burt Lancaster in his final film role.

Nominated for three Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Original Score, audiences now can experience James Horner’s magnificent musical score adapted for the first time for live performance by a full symphony orchestra. Field of Dreams in Concert is an unforgettable and glowing tribute to all who dare to dream.

© 2024 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Nicholas Buc, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

RENT in Concert

Friday, August 2, 7:30pm

Experience the iconic music of RENT like never before: live with stellar vocalists and the raw power of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra! At this symphonic experience, the San Diego Symphony performs the complete score—featuring favorites like “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” and “Take Me or Leave Me”.

Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Main Cast:
Jimmie Herrod (Angel)
Maurice Alpharicio (Benny)
Douglas Lyons (Collins)
Savy Jackson (Joanne)
Tommy Kaiser (Mark)
Ariella Serur (Maureen)
Alisa Melendez (Mimi)
Liam Pearce (Roger)

Ensemble:
Chase Lowary, Nisa Isabella Mercado, Ryan James Sweeney, Sav Souza

"RENT in Concert" is directed by Broadway’s Sammi Cannold
Original Symphonic Orchestrations by Sean O’Loughlin

Produced by AMP Worldwide

Totally '80s with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, August 16, 7:30pm

We’re like totally crankin’ up the Tears for Fears and celebrating one of the most decadent decades of music – the '80s! Relive rock, R & B, and new wave hits from icons like George Michael, Phil Collins, Blondie, Huey Lewis & The News, Robert Palmer, Cyndi Lauper, Journey, Michael Jackson, Mr. Mister, Cher, Kool & The Gang, Tommy Tutone and more with Stuart Chafetz and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. It’s the perfect reason to break out your Swatch watch, tease up your hair, and enjoy some bodacious music!

Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Aaron Finley, vocalis
Nicole Parker, vocalist
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Sondheim Tonight! A Celebration of Genius

Friday, August 23, 7:30pm

Over several decades, Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) transformed the course of American musical theater with innovation and intelligence, creating beloved shows like Sweeney Todd, Company, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods and many others.

The San Diego Symphony is presenting a tribute to this genius, featuring essential Broadway singers admired by Sondheim, whose lives and careers have been transformed by performing his work. From the joyous and silly to the rapturous and heartfelt, this special performance, assembled and led by Broadway veteran Rob Fisher, will showcase Sondheim's phenomenal ability to musicalize the deepest human emotions.

Rob Fisher, music director and conductor
Amy Owens, vocalist
Santino Fontana, vocalist
Emily Skinner, vocalist
Tony Yazbeck, vocalist
Evan Roider, piano
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Special Guest Vocalist: Len Cariou

Philip Rosenberg, lighting designer
Scott Lehrer, audio designer
Gary Griffin, director

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

Friday, August 30, 7:30pm

The last classical concert of the 2024 Summer Season features Rafael Payare conducting the San Deigo Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, with soloist Blake Pouliot. The iconic 1812 Overture closes the evening with The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park’s signature pyrotechnics.

Note: this concert will end with a pyrotechnic/firework display accompaniment to the 1812 Overture. It will be short, colorful and loud.

Rafael Payare, conductor
Blake Pouliot, violin
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Program to include:
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
TCHAIKOVSKY: 1812 Overture, Op. 49

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

Our Saturday night A series this summer features on Jazz, Rock and the music of John Williams and Disney. That great film composer gets his own tribute concert on this series, along with a "live to film" presentation of his score to Return of the Jedi. You'll also hear "top-to-bottom" presentations of The Beatle's Sgt. Pepper, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Finally, "The Sound of Magic" celebrates 100 years of magical music from Disney.

Music of John Williams

Saturday, June 29, 7:30pm

The music of John Williams has transported us beyond our imagination. To new worlds. Through heart-pounding adventures. Be there as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Newman, performs all your John Williams favorites: Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws and more!

David Newman, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic

Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm

Join the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic, a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation and memories – a century in the making!

Your favorite characters and music from across the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalog come to life on the concert hall stage and screen to create a cinematic concert experience like never before. Performed by a live symphony orchestra, beloved songs and scores are combined into exciting new medleys and suites, creating an unexpected and thrilling journey of music and animation that only Disney can deliver. This newly imagined concert takes you on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable song, score and movie moments of The Walt Disney Company, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana, Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, Beauty and the Beast and more.

Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic is under the direction of an acclaimed creative team, including Creative Director Amy Tinkham, Music Director Giles Martin, and Arranger and Orchestrator Ben Foster.

Become part of the journey to discover Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic.

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.

Nicholas Buc, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

Saturday, August 10, 7:30pm

The San Diego Symphony will present Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with composer John Williams’ venerated score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Norman Huynh.

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.

The film and its RIAA® gold-certified soundtrack feature eleven score cues composed by legendary Academy Award® and Grammy Award®-winning John Williams.

As the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, the Rebel Fleet counters with a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel.

The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

Norman Huynh, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue

Saturday, August 17, 7:30pm

Join Gilbert Castellanos and friends as they celebrate Miles Davis and his all-star band at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. One of the greatest albums of all time and the best-selling jazz album ever, Miles Davis' masterpiece Kind of Blue is as relevant and revered today as when it was recorded in 1959.

Talented student musicians of the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory perform a pre-concert set.

Gilbert Castellanos, trumpet
James Mahone, alto sax
Joel Frahm, tenor sax
Danton Boller, bass
Donald Vega, piano
Willie Jones III, drums

Classic Albums Live Performs The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Saturday, August 31, 7:30pm

Classic Albums Live honors The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with a performance featuring some of the world’s best musicians and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Every detail of the album will be performed with precision and grace, from the sitars and orchestra to the guitars and kazoos. Classic Albums Live will deliver a performance that is note for note - cut for cut.

Expect to hear all the hits, such as “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “A Day in the Life,” and “With a Little Help from My Friends.” But, also take a deeper dive into tracks like George Harrison’s experimental “Within Without You,” John Lennon’s fantastical “Being for The Benefit of Mr. Kite!” and McCartney’s gem “Fixing a Hole.”

The second half of the show will take us even further into The Beatles catalog, celebrating a collection of their greatest hits that you know and love, found on their other legendary albums.

Christopher Dragon, conductor
Classic Albums Live, music collective
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Classic Albums Live Performs Fleetwood Mac's Rumours

Saturday, September 21, 7:30pm

Classical Albums Live performs Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, their eleventh studio album released in 1977, note for note, cut for cut. Enjoy live performances of such immortal classics as "The Chain," "Second Hand News," "Go Your Own Way," "You Make Loving Fun," "Dreams" and so many more!

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this concert.

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

Four concerts, four festive Friday nights. Friday B lets you join us for Opening Night with the San Diego Symphony, two of our popular Broadway tributes (Rent in Concert and Sondheim Tonight!) and our annual Beethoven by the Bay celebration.

Summer 2024 Opening Night with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, June 28, 7:30pm

Celebrate the opening of the Conrad Prebys 2024 Summer Season at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gemma New and pianist Olga Kern. The concert features Kern performing the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, as well as Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (including the well-known “Hoe-down” movement) and Rimsky-Korsakov's fiery Capriccio espagnol, which is based on Spanish folk melodies.

Gemma New, conductor
Olga Kern, piano

John ADAMS: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
COPLAND: "Four Dance Episodes" from Rodeo
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34

Beethoven by the Bay

Friday, July 12, 7:30pm

The San Diego Symphony’s annual Beethoven by the Bay all-Beethoven concert features violinist Geneva Lewis performing his Violin Concerto. Nicolas Ellis leads the orchestra in the indominable Symphony No. 5.

Nicolas Ellis, conductor
Geneva Lewis, violin
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

BEETHOVEN: Overture to Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

RENT in Concert

Friday, August 2, 7:30pm

Experience the iconic music of RENT like never before: live with stellar vocalists and the raw power of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra! At this symphonic experience, the San Diego Symphony performs the complete score—featuring favorites like “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” and “Take Me or Leave Me”.

Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Main Cast:
Jimmie Herrod (Angel)
Maurice Alpharicio (Benny)
Douglas Lyons (Collins)
Savy Jackson (Joanne)
Tommy Kaiser (Mark)
Ariella Serur (Maureen)
Alisa Melendez (Mimi)
Liam Pearce (Roger)

Ensemble:
Chase Lowary, Nisa Isabella Mercado, Ryan James Sweeney, Sav Souza

"RENT in Concert" is directed by Broadway’s Sammi Cannold
Original Symphonic Orchestrations by Sean O’Loughlin

Produced by AMP Worldwide

Sondheim Tonight! A Celebration of Genius

Friday, August 23, 7:30pm

Over several decades, Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) transformed the course of American musical theater with innovation and intelligence, creating beloved shows like Sweeney Todd, Company, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods and many others.

The San Diego Symphony is presenting a tribute to this genius, featuring essential Broadway singers admired by Sondheim, whose lives and careers have been transformed by performing his work. From the joyous and silly to the rapturous and heartfelt, this special performance, assembled and led by Broadway veteran Rob Fisher, will showcase Sondheim's phenomenal ability to musicalize the deepest human emotions.

Rob Fisher, music director and conductor
Amy Owens, vocalist
Santino Fontana, vocalist
Emily Skinner, vocalist
Tony Yazbeck, vocalist
Evan Roider, piano
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Special Guest Vocalist: Len Cariou

Philip Rosenberg, lighting designer
Scott Lehrer, audio designer
Gary Griffin, director

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

The Friday C series provides a uniquely American quartet of concerts: baseball, reggae, Tchaikovsky and Eighties pop! From Field of Dreams to our annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular, from Ziggy Marley to "Totally '80s", you'll have a summer to remember under the stars. All four concerts feature the San Diego Symphony Orchestra!

ZIGGY MARLEY with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, July 5, 7:30pm

Ziggy Marley joins the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for an evening of music by the eight-time Grammy® winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist and humanitarian who has cultivated a legendary career for close to 40 years.

The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, Ziggy has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock and other elements through mindful songcraft. Equal parts master storyteller and motivational guide, he deftly explores issues from environmental awareness to self-empowerment, social injustice to political inequity, while returning again and again to the transformative power of love.

Ziggy Marley, guitar and vocals
Christopher Dragon, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

FIELD OF DREAMS in Concert (World Premiere)

Friday, July 19, 7:30pm

“If you build it, he will come.” 

 Considered one of the most inspirational movies of all time, Field of Dreams is a heartwarming story that has moved critics and audiences like no other film of its generation.

Haunted by a mysterious voice he can’t ignore, Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) confounds his neighbors by transforming his cornfield into a place where dreams can come true, and where he can finally come to terms with his own unsettled past. The all-star cast also features Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Hollywood legend Burt Lancaster in his final film role.

Nominated for three Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Original Score, audiences now can experience James Horner’s magnificent musical score adapted for the first time for live performance by a full symphony orchestra. Field of Dreams in Concert is an unforgettable and glowing tribute to all who dare to dream.

© 2024 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Nicholas Buc, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Totally '80s with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Friday, August 16, 7:30pm

We’re like totally crankin’ up the Tears for Fears and celebrating one of the most decadent decades of music – the '80s! Relive rock, R & B, and new wave hits from icons like George Michael, Phil Collins, Blondie, Huey Lewis & The News, Robert Palmer, Cyndi Lauper, Journey, Michael Jackson, Mr. Mister, Cher, Kool & The Gang, Tommy Tutone and more with Stuart Chafetz and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. It’s the perfect reason to break out your Swatch watch, tease up your hair, and enjoy some bodacious music!

Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Aaron Finley, vocalis
Nicole Parker, vocalist
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

Friday, August 30, 7:30

The last classical concert of the 2024 Summer Season features Rafael Payare conducting the San Deigo Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, with soloist Blake Pouliot. The iconic 1812 Overture closes the evening with The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park’s signature pyrotechnics.

Note: this concert will end with a pyrotechnic/firework display accompaniment to the 1812 Overture. It will be short, colorful and loud.

Rafael Payare, conductor
Blake Pouliot, violin
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Program to include:
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
TCHAIKOVSKY: 1812 Overture, Op. 49

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

Got somewhere else to be later this summer? Saturday B is the series for you! Concerts are done by mid-August, and you will have enjoyed great movie music over three nights from John Williams and the magical worlds of Walt Disney.

The Music of John Williams

Saturday, June 29, 7:30pm

The music of John Williams has transported us beyond our imagination. To new worlds. Through heart-pounding adventures. Be there as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Newman, performs all your John Williams favorites: Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws and more!

David Newman, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic

Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm

Join the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic, a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation and memories – a century in the making!

Your favorite characters and music from across the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalog come to life on the concert hall stage and screen to create a cinematic concert experience like never before. Performed by a live symphony orchestra, beloved songs and scores are combined into exciting new medleys and suites, creating an unexpected and thrilling journey of music and animation that only Disney can deliver. This newly imagined concert takes you on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable song, score and movie moments of The Walt Disney Company, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana, Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, Beauty and the Beast and more.

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.

Nicholas Buc, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert

Saturday, August 10, 7:30pm

The San Diego Symphony will present Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with composer John Williams’ venerated score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Norman Huynh.

Since the release of the first Star Wars movie over 45 years ago, the Star Wars saga has had a seismic impact on both cinema and culture, inspiring audiences around the world with its mythic storytelling, captivating characters, groundbreaking special effects and iconic musical scores composed by Williams.

The film and its RIAA® gold-certified soundtrack feature eleven score cues composed by legendary Academy Award® and Grammy Award®-winning John Williams.

As the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star, the Rebel Fleet counters with a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel.

The presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.

Norman Huynh, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

Sunday B brings you three outstanding evenings of pop greatness: an evening with Broadway superstar Audra McDonald, a double bill of Latino rock legends Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, plus the dazzlingly international music concoctions of Pink Martini

An Evening with AUDRA MCDONALD

Sunday, June 30, 7:30pm

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she received a National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. She won Tonys for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, which also served as the vehicle for her Olivier-nominated 2017 West End debut.

Audra McDonald joins the San Diego Symphony for a special evening of Broadway favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, George Gershwin, and many others, with songs from her latest album, Sing Happy.

Photos © Allison Michael Orenstein

Audra McDonald, vocalist
Andy Einhorn, conductor
Jeremy Ajani Jordan, piano
Gene Lewin, drums
Mark Vanderpoel, bass
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

LOS LOBOS + LOS LONELY BOYS: The Brotherhood Tour

Sunday, August 4, 7:00pm
...with special guest SON ROMPE PERA!

Get ready to experience an electrifying fusion of musical talent as two legendary bands, Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, come together for an unforgettable co-headlining tour, aptly titled "The Brotherhood Tour." Joining them as support is the dynamic group Son Rompe Pera. This tour promises to be a celebration of culture, camaraderie and the unifying power of music.

Please note: the San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.

PINK MARTINI featuring China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour

Sunday, August 25, 7:30pm

Pink Martini, the globetrotting “little orchestra,” helmed by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, returns to The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park to celebrate their 30th anniversary year with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. A night of big, bold, genre-defying songs brings the audience on a trip through time and space. Featuring lead singer China Forbes, this band is “impressive at every musician’s station,” as Variety says; “the ensemble produces music that’s charming and elegant.”

Evan Roider, conductor
Thomas Lauderdale, piano
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)

The Sunday C series welcomes back two acts which have made recent annual summertime returns to The Rady Shell by popular demand: Gipsy Kings and The Beach Boys. This series also includes a premiere tribute to two American "Icons of Song": Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

Icons of Song: The Music of Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder

Sunday, July 7, 7:30pm

This second edition of Icons of Song from maestro Ted Sperling brings together the music of two legendary American singer-songwriters: Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. Each artist boasts a singular and far-reaching catalog of songs that have unquestionably become part of America’s, and the world’s, shared musical history.

Both musicians have been crafting tunes and enchanting audiences for more than half a century, penning hundreds of songs from "Bridge over Troubled Water" to "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and many, many more. In this special symphonic program, favorite hits as well as a few deep cuts are brought to life by three powerhouse signers in new orchestrations that showcase the enduring excitement of these iconic songs.

Ted Sperling, conductor
Vocalists TBA
San Diego Symphony Orchestra

GIPSY KINGS featuring NICOLAS REYES

Sunday, August 18, 7:30pm

Gipsy Kings, founded in 1978 in Arles and Montpellier, in southern France, are well known for their mix of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa, and pop. Gipsy Kings became popular with their self-titled third album, which included the songs "Djobi Djoba", "Bamboléo", and the ballad "Un Amor". Nicolas Reyes, founder and lead singer, heads this band, still made up of members of the Reyes and Baliardo families.

Note: the San Diego Symphony Orchestra does not appear on this program.

THE BEACH BOYS: Endless Summer Gold

Sunday, September 1, 7:30pm

For more than six decades, The Beach Boys’ music has been an indelible part of American history. Their brilliant harmonies conveyed simple truths through sophisticated, pioneering musical arrangements. The Beach Boys transcended their music and have come to represent Californian culture. They provided fans around the world with a passport to experience love, youthful exuberance, and surf culture. Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally comprised of the three teenaged Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl, and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records in July 1962 and released their first album, Surfin’ Safari, that same year.

The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Between the 1960s and today, the group had over 80 songs chart worldwide, 36 of them in the US Top 40 (the most by a US rock band), and four topping the Billboard Hot 100. Their influence on other artists spans musical genres and movements. Countless artists have cited Pet Sounds as their inspiration for creating their own musical masterpieces. Rolling Stone ranked Pet Sounds No. 2 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and The Beach Boys No. 12 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”

(Note: This concert will not feature Brian Wilson, Al Jardine or David Marks. The San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.)

No Longer Available (Series Under Way)