The Oklahoma City Philharmonic represents a collection of some of the most remarkable and accomplished musicians that the state – perhaps even the country – has to offer, and those talents are regularly employed to showcase intricate works by the likes of Rachmaninoff and Vivaldi.
But in the 2024-2025 season, the focus is shifting a bit further away from the complexities and demands of many of the classical masters and turning instead toward the kind of pop hits, show tunes, and excitingly new compositions that can fire up new and fresher audiences.
In addition to the Phil’s regular “Pops” series, featuring orchestral takes on more contemporary and pop-cultural music – often spotlighting singers and special guests – the slate is also loaded with showcases for popular film scores, pop music legends, theatre greats, and even an anticipated first from a Native composer.
‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ Live – November 30th
One of the most striking and characteristic elements of the “Star Wars” franchise is the way that composing icon John Williams’ score practically never stops.
The OKC Phil will bring that legendary score (perhaps cinema’s very greatest) to the forefront as they present the film with the music performed live right before your eyes and ears.
If you want to get your movie-loving kids excited about the Philharmonic, this one is a no-brainer.
A Very Merry Pops – December 6th & 7th
The Phil’s annual holiday showcase is a time-honored city tradition by this point, offering a rousingly festive and celebratory program of wintertime favorites and yuletide carols.
For the 2024 installment, the Phil will be joined by the soaring theatrical vocals of Broadway star Ashley Brown and the jazzy Sinatra-style croon of singer Tony DeSare.
So throw on your best ugly holiday sweater and a Santa hat and bring the family along for a perfectly festive evening.
Music of the Knights – January 24th & 25th
This one is actually a great little combination and cross-section of everything that the Phil can do with contemporary pop music and theatrical show tune classics.
The “knights” in question are some of the greatest British songwriters of the 20th century, namely Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, and The Right Honourable Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The orchestra will present a selection of stone-cold classics from across all of their songbooks alongside a cast of Broadway vocalists, so get ready for Beatles, “Cats,” Wings, yellow brick roads, phantoms, and rocket men.
As Heard On TV – January 26th
Part of the Phil’s recurring Discovery Family Series of family-focused afternoon programs, As Heard On TV will feature a wide range of classic and contemporary television themes, as well as even some recent video game favorites thrown in.
This is one for young kids who have never been shown the magic of live orchestral music.
Symphonies East & West – February 22nd
Though perhaps not in line with the more contemporary pop music theme, the two composers represented in the Symphonies East & West program were both major pop culture figures of their times.
First, the Phil will be celebrating the impending 250th birthday of the United States by presenting what Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate calls “the most important American symphony ever written: Copland’s Symphony No. 3.”
But preceding Copland’s masterpiece, the Phil will be joined by sitar star Arjun Verma for a performance of “Symphony” by one of the great east-to-west crossover stars of the 20th century: Ravi Shankar.
The connection and juxtaposition of these two symphonies should make for a particularly powerful double feature.
The Music of Tina Turner – April 11th & 12th
The great “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” takes over Civic Center Music Hall yet again following the success of “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” on the same stage in December of 2023.
This time, it’s all eyes and ears on the music itself, rather than the iconic singer’s own life and story, as the orchestra and their guest vocalists take the audience into the raw power and fun of Turner’s immortal hits.
World Premiere: American Indian Symphony – April 18th
Perhaps the most special and anticipated program of the Philharmonic’s entire 2024-25 season, Maestro Mickelthwate and the orchestra will be presenting the first-ever performance of “American Indian Symphony” by Chickasaw Nation composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate.
The groundbreaking piece is structured into six sections, with each representing one of the six North American regions of Native Americans, and each featuring sung passages in one of six different Native languages.
This performance is set to be a major step forward for the long and sadly sidelined power and artistry of the nation’s Native community, and an important moment for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic itself.
Defying Gravity: Stephen Schwartz & Friends – May 23rd & 24th
One of the most successful figures in Broadway history joins the OKC Phil in person as composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz takes the stage to present a program pulled from across the full breadth of his award-winning theatre and film works.
That means songs from “Godspell,” “Pippin,” and Disney classics like “Pocahontas,” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
But of course, the focal point for the evening will be Schwartz’s record-breaking hit “Wicked,” hot on the heels of the Broadway smash’s long-awaited film adaptation.
So whether you’re a longtime fan of the musical or a brand new convert following the film, you’ll want to be in the audience at the Civic Center to experience the epic scale of this music live alongside the man from whose mind it all sprang.
For tickets, showtimes, and more information, including the full 2024-2025 season lineup, visit okcphil.org and okcciviccenter.com.
You can find out about local music and performance happenings in the OKC metro weekly in this music column by Brett Fieldcamp. | Brought to you by True Sky Credit Union.
Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.