LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Film Music & Patriotic Classics

LaGrange Symphony Orchestra performing live at Callaway Auditorium

News January 30, 2026

On the Horizon

Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Richard Prior, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra (LSO) will present two spring concerts in LaGrange, GA. The season moves from cinematic film music and youth collaboration in March to an April season finale celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, combining patriotic works with a thrilling, virtuosic violin concerto performed by LSO concertmaster Samuel Vargas Teixeira. Held at Callaway Auditorium, these concerts showcase professional musicians, youth collaboration, and American orchestral music at its finest.

March 24, 2026 Concert

Epic Adventures, Myths & Galaxies

The LSO’s March 24 concert features iconic film music performed live by the orchestra, taking audiences on a journey through legendary stories and distant galaxies. Highlights include music from How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell, The Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore, and the complete Star Wars suite by John Williams.

This family-friendly symphony concert is designed to welcome first-time concertgoers while offering the musical depth longtime patrons expect.

Youth Orchestra Side-by-Side Experience and Young Artists Soloist

A special spotlight of the evening is the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra Side-by-Side Experience, bringing student musicians together with professional LSO players in a collaborative performance that celebrates mentorship and arts education.

The concert will also feature a guest appearance by the 2026 Young Artists Competition winning string soloist, offering the audience an opportunity to hear one of the region’s most promising emerging musicians. At the time of this writing, the 2026 Young Artists Competition is scheduled to take place in the near future, and the LSO looks forward to announcing the winner as soon as the results are finalized.

Rounding out the overall experience at this March concert, families are invited to enjoy an immersive, interactive night at the symphony, with character-inspired fun—like dressing as your favorite character, wearing a cape, or perhaps bringing your trusty lightsaber—welcome but entirely optional.

April 28, 2026 Concert

250 Years of Being: A Patriotic Symphony Celebration

The LSO’s April 28 season finale, 250 Years of Being (1776–2026), commemorates America’s 250th anniversary with a moving program of patriotic music and American orchestral classics. Selections include Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, beloved Sousa marches, and America the Beautiful.

Violin Concerto Featuring Samuel Vargas Teixeira

This concert concludes with Andrés Martin’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (Morgante), written for and performed by Samuel Vargas Teixeira, LSO concertmaster and Schwob School of Music faculty member. Dedicated to the late conductor Michael Morgan, the concerto is a powerful example of contemporary American composition—lyrical, dramatic, and exhilarating in live performance. Vargas brings to the work a rare combination of commanding virtuosity, expressive depth, and musical insight that makes this performance an unforgettable highlight of the season. (Read more about the beloved conductor, Michael Morgan, on the Oakland Symphony website HERE.)

Live Symphony Concerts at Callaway Auditorium

Together, these two spring concerts highlight the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s role in bringing live classical music to LaGrange, Georgia, uniting the community through artistry, education, and shared cultural experience.