Milwaukee Symphony adds Ben Folds, 'Muppet Christmas Carol' to next season's lineup
Milwaukee Symphony is going big with its Pops, movies and special concerts lineup for 2024-'25, including performances by Ben Folds and Chris Thile, and screenings with live orchestral accompaniment of "The Muppet Christmas Carol," "Casablanca" and "Coco."
The symphony also has named past guest star Byron Stripling as its new Stein Family Foundation Principal Pops Conductor. In addition to conducting three programs in the coming season, Stripling will help chart future Pops shows. He's a jazz trumpeter and vocalist, too.
All performances will be at the Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. Here's a summary of the Pops, special concerts and movies lineup for 2024-'25.
Milwaukee Symphony Pops concerts
"When the Saints Go Marching In," Sept. 20-22. Newly anointed principal pops conductor Byron Stripling leads a program of jazz and blues including music associated with Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith. With vocalist Crystal Monee Hall.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, Nov. 8-10. George Daugherty conducts the MSO to animated Looney Tunes adventures on the big movie screen, including such masterpieces as "The Rabbit of Seville" and "What's Opera, Doc?"
Hometown Holiday Pops, Dec. 14-22. The MSO's Ryan Tani conducts seven holiday pops shows, including four weekend matinees. He'll be joined by the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, directed by Cheryl Frazes Hill, and Milwaukee Handbells.
"Casablanca," Feb. 14-16, 2025. Round up twice the usual number of suspects for this romantic Humphrey Bogart-Ingrid Bergman classic film on Valentine's Day weekend. The MSO will perform Max Steiner's score live to the movie.
"Twist & Shout": The Music of the Beatles — A Symphonic Experience, March 28-30, 2025. Stripling leads a program that focuses on music from the Beatlemania years in the U.S. Visually, the music will be accompanied by hundreds of images from the Beatles Photo Book Archives.
Let's Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound, May 23-25, 2025. Vocalists Chester Gregory, Ashley Jayy and Brik Liam join conductor Stripling to revisit soulful hits from the '60s and '70s.
MSO films with orchestra
"Coco," Nov. 2-3. The MSO will play Michael Giacchino’s score live to the animated Pixar movie.
"The Muppet Christmas Carol," Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Michael Caine is Scrooge in the Muppetized version of Charles Dickens' holiday tale. The MSO will play the Miles Goodman score (with songs by Paul Williams).
Special concerts
Chris Thile, 7:30 p.m. March 15, 2025. The singer-mandolinist known for his work with Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek will perform with the MSO.
Ben Folds, 7:30 p.m. May 3, 2025. Singer-songwriter-pianist Folds, who played a memorable concert with the MSO in 2020, returns for his first performance in the Bradley Symphony Center with the MSO.
BSC Presents
The orchestra does not play at these concerts.
Canadian Brass, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The famed quintet's holiday show will feature trumpeter Ashley Hall-Tighe, the second female member since the group began in 1970.
The King's Singers, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. The distinguished a cappella vocal group returns for a holiday concert.
For subscriptions and other info, visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605. Single tickets for Ben Folds and Chris Tile go on sale June 3. Single tickets sales for other shows begin Aug. 12.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ben Folds and new conductor set for Milwaukee Symphony's next season