Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra Opens 107th Season Sept. 24

Fri, 09/18/2026 - 09:51am | By: Mike Lopinto

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra launches its 107th season Sept. 24 with Opening Night!, a concert built around music audiences may recognize even if they don't know its name.

Gioachino Rossini's instantly recognizable William Tell Overture and Maurice Ravel's hypnotic Boléro have become deeply embedded in popular culture, appearing in some of the most memorable moments on the large and small screens. The program also features Richard Wagner's luminous Prelude to Act I from Lohengrin and Jeffrey Wood's poignant Different Bodies, a work inspired by the extraordinary life of Joseph Merrick.

Opening Night! begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Bennett Auditorium on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus. Season subscriptions and individual tickets are available now through the Southern Miss Ticket Office or by calling 601.266.5418.

Led by Symphony Orchestra Director Gregory Wolynec, the concert launches the orchestra's 2026-27 season, “Iconic,” a seven-concert series celebrating music that has shaped culture and inspired generations.

“Some of the most powerful musical experiences come from hearing something familiar in a completely new way,” said Wolynec. “You may not even recognize these pieces by name, but chances are you’ve heard their melodies before. Hearing them performed live reveals a depth, energy and emotional power that recordings simply can’t capture. That’s what makes Opening Night! such a special experience.”

Rossini's William Tell Overture may be one of classical music's most recognizable works, thanks in part to its spectacular finale, which has been repeatedly adopted by film, television and advertising. Ravel's Boléro, with its insistent rhythm and gradually intensifying orchestration, has likewise become a cultural touchstone far beyond the concert hall.

The program takes a more intimate turn with Different Bodies by Jeffrey Wood. The work explores the life and humanity of Joseph Merrick, the Englishman whose life became the basis for numerous artistic and theatrical portrayals, including the celebrated stage and film versions of The Elephant Man. Wood's portrayal of Merrick was named the “première of the year” by Nashville Scene in 2016, recognizing the emotional depth and humanity of his interpretation.

Wagner's Prelude to Act I from Lohengrin completes a program that moves from instantly recognizable popular melodies to some of the grandest and most expressive writing in the orchestral repertoire.

Opening Night! is the first of seven performances in the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra's 107th season. The season continues Oct. 29 with Fright Night!, an orchestral exploration of the macabre featuring Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, Penderecki and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. November brings the immersive musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, followed in December by the annual Holiday Choral Spectacular.

The season continues in the new year with February's Future Stars, showcasing winners of the William T. Gower Concerto Competition; March's internationally acclaimed La Pasión según San Marcos by Osvaldo Golijov, performed with original cast members, the Southern Chorale and Symphony Orchestra; and the May 6 season finale, Ode to Joy!, featuring Beethoven's monumental Symphony No. 9 with the Hattiesburg Choral Union.

“For 106 seasons, the Symphony Orchestra has been an important part of the cultural life of Mississippi, bringing together the extraordinary talent of our students and faculty with acclaimed guest artists and audiences from across the region,” said Dr. Colin McKenzie, director of the School of Music. “This 107th season carries that legacy forward with music that is both deeply familiar and endlessly exciting. We invite everyone to come experience the arts at Southern Miss, discover something new and be part of the community that makes this tradition possible.”

For tickets and complete information about the 2026-27 “Iconic” season, visit the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra season page.

About the School of Music
The School of Music at The University of Southern Mississippi is the state’s flagship music program and a destination campus for the study of music across the region, the United States and the world. Housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, the school offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and has earned a national and international reputation for excellence. Its distinguished faculty members are active performers and educators who appear on stages from local communities to major international venues. The School of Music is home to acclaimed band, choral, orchestral, jazz, opera and musical theater ensembles and provides extensive solo and chamber music performance opportunities. Students regularly perform at regional, national and international events and work with leading guest artists in preparation for careers as 21st century performers and educators.