Your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Rochester City Ballet celebrate 27 years of a holiday tradition: The Nutcracker at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre! Be whisked away to a magical land of sparkling snow and delectable sweets as Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score pairs with beautiful ballet. This story of a young girl’s Christmas Eve dream never fails to touch the heart!
As part of the 2026 Rochester Fringe Festival, your RPO brings a thrilling one-night-only program to Eastman Theatre that pushes the boundaries of orchestral sound. Mason Bates’ Mothership kicks off the evening with rhythmic drive and vibrant energy drawn from the collision of electronic and orchestral worlds. Régis Campo’s Dancefloor with Pulsing spotlights the theremin in a dazzling mix of whimsy and groove. The program culminates with John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music, a genre-bending favorite that pulses with irresistible momentum. Presented within Rochester’s celebrated Fringe—one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic multidisciplinary arts festivals—this concert is an invitation to experience your RPO in a bold new way.
All hail the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll! Superstar singers LaKisha Jones, Nova Y. Payton, and Armando Imagines will take you on a journey through Tina Turner’s legendary musical career as your RPO elevates all her iconic songs including “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Disco Inferno,” “Proud Mary,” and more. As sentimental as it is powerful, this production pays tribute to the eight-time GRAMMY-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in a way that proves Tina Turner truly was “Simply the Best.”
Experience the power and intensity of Zeppelin’s legendary catalog brought to life by your RPO in a high-voltage symphonic rock show led by conductor and arranger Brent Havens. This is a one-night-only event.
Performed with full orchestra, amplified rock band, and dynamic lighting, this electrifying concert fuses symphonic force with iconic rock anthems in thrilling, arena-style fashion. Hear classics like “Kashmir,” “Black Dog,” “Good Times, Bad Times,” “All of My Love,” and “Stairway to Heaven” in bold new arrangements that reimagine these timeless hits on a grand scale.
Get ready to power up for an unforgettable evening, as your RPO and Rochester’s own Madrigalia chorus take you on a hero’s journey through the mythical landscapes and symphonic soundtracks of your favorite video games.
Heroes: A Video Game Symphony is an electrifying multimedia experience featuring high-definition clips of some of the gaming industry’s most iconic titles projected onto the large screen above the stage as the musicians of your RPO perform below.
Relive the thrills and excitement of your favorite fantastical quests as you’re transported through a world of adventure with the music of more than 20 epic video games including Final Fantasy, Assassin’s Creed, World of Warcraft, Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, Starfield, Fallout, Halo, Mass Effect, God of War, Bioshock, and many more!
Experience the power and spirit of between the Eastman School of Music, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and a dynamic community gospel choir. This inspiring concert celebrates the richness of African American musical traditions through the works of legendary Sunday and contemporary composers. From William Grant Still’s majestic to the soul-stirring gospel of Richard Smallwood and Kirk Franklin, Symphony and the moving spirituals of Omar Thomas and John Carter, each piece honors a legacy of resilience, faith, and artistry. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of symphonic soul and gospel brilliance.
Tickets are $5; all proceeds go to ROCmusic.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the original summer movie blockbuster, with an Academy Award®-winning score by composer John Williams, JAWS is an unforgettable film-with-live-orchestra experience!
Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, JAWS set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police, a young marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.
Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history. Now for the first time, audiences will have the chance to experience the power of a live symphony orchestra performing the entire score in sync with one of the greatest motion pictures of all time.
The program is a presentation of the complete film Jaws with a live performance of the film’s entire score, including music played by the orchestra during and after the end credits.
Jaws is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
Jaws in Concert produced by Film Concerts Live!, a joint venture of IMG Artists, LLC and The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc.
This celebration of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2024-25 Season brings you an evening filled with Music That Moves!
This fantastic night includes cocktails, dinner, and a full orchestra performance conducted by RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs. But that’s not all – we’ve got some extra special surprises in store that you won’t want to miss!
After the show, enjoy desserts and dancing with your RPO musicians!
Cocktail attire, black-tie optional
Complimentary validated parking
Benefactor sponsorship includes four (4) seats, plus half-page ad in program book and inclusion on event recognition signage.
Patron sponsorship includes up to ten (10) seats, plus full-page ad in program book and inclusion on event recognition signage.
Concert sponsored by and
Holiday Sponsor:
Series sponsored by and
Come in from the cold and celebrate the sounds of the season with Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, your RPO, and the Festival High School Chorale! For more than three decades, Gala Holiday Pops has been one of Rochester’s favorite holiday traditions and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the season.
Your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Rochester City Ballet celebrate 26 years of a holiday tradition: The Nutcracker at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre! Be whisked away to a magical land of sparkling snow and delectable sweets as Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score pairs with beautiful ballet. This story of a young girl’s Christmas Eve dream never fails to touch the heart!
NYC-based drag performance artist and professional strings musician Thorgy Thor is bringing her Thorchestra with special guests, the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, to Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. A co-production of the RPO and Trillium Health with financial support from the office of NYS Senator Jeremy A. Cooney, this unique program puts the spotlight on the symphonic talents and drag-performance of Thorgy Thor.
Thorgy is classically trained in string performance (violin, viola, and cello). She shot to international fame after appearing on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race (2016) and season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (2018). Since then, she has been bringing her trademark wit, sense of humor, and musical charm to stages all around the world. Thorgy has performed to acclaim with orchestras including the Boston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Charlotte, Seattle, and Oregon Symphonies.
Join us for a pre-concert VIP Experience
Thorgy Thor & The Thorchestra: Pre-concert Meet & Greet Experience
The Duke, 260 East Main Street, Rochester NY 14620 5–7 PM
Featuring an open bar and heavy appetizers
Short walk to Eastman Theatre
Meet & Greet opportunities with Thorgy Thor from 5–5:45 PM
Strictly first come, first served
Individual VIP tickets are $ 125 each (does not include concert ticket)
Tickets for the VIP Experience can be purchased HERE or by calling 585.454.2100
NYC-based drag performance artist and professional strings musician Thorgy Thor is bringing her Thorchestra with special guests, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Kearstin Piper Brown, and the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, to Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. A co-production of the RPO and Trillium Health with financial support from the office of NYS Senator Jeremy A. Cooney, this unique program puts the spotlight on the symphonic talents and drag-performance of Thorgy Thor.
Thorgy is classically trained in string performance (violin, viola, and cello). She shot to international fame after appearing on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race (2016) and season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (2018). Since then, she has been bringing her trademark wit, sense of humor, and musical charm to stages all around the world. Thorgy has performed to acclaim with orchestras including the Boston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Charlotte, Seattle, and Oregon Symphonies.
Join us for a pre-concert VIP Experience
Thorgy Thor & The Thorchestra: Pre-concert Meet & Greet Experience
The Duke, 260 East Main Street, Rochester NY 14620 5–7 PM
Featuring an open bar and heavy appetizers
Short walk to Eastman Theatre
Meet & Greet opportunities with Thorgy Thor from 5–5:45 PM
Strictly first come, first served
Individual VIP tickets are $125 each (does not include concert ticket)
Tickets for the VIP Experience can be purchased HERE or by calling 585.454.2100
Upcoming Concerts You May Also Enjoy:
Happy Birthday, John Williams! (February 15)
Mozart & Brahms (March 20 & 22)
Dvořák in Love (April 10 & 12)
An American In Paris (May 3 & 4)