John Williams News

Gustavo Dudamel, music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a luminary in the classical music world, will step in to lead the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's BNY Mellon Grand Classics concerts on April 7 & 9 at Heinz Hall.

 The Las Vegas Philharmonic and Cox Las Vegas congratulated the winners of the 2016-17 season Cox Communications Young Artists' Concerto Competition on Saturday, March 4, 2017 on Reynolds Hall stage at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts before the orchestra's Cabrera Conducts The Music of John Williams concert.  The winners, Erika Dalton (age 16), violin, and Jordan Farber (age 15), bassoon, were acknowledged by Michael Bolognini, Cox Communications' Vice President and Market Leader for Las Vegas and by Jeri Crawford, Las Vegas Philharmonic's President & CEO.   Each winner received a cash prize of $2,000 from Cox Communications and the opportunity to perform with the Las Vegas Philharmonic as soloists during the Youth Concert Series. The competition was held on October 15, 2016 at the College of Southern Nevada, Cheyenne Campus.    Dalton performed the 1st movement of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 in the November youth performances and Farber performed the 1st movement of Weber's Bassoon Concerto in the January youth performances.  Both students had the opportunity to perform again for 300 guests at the Philharmonic's Annual Gala on February 9, 2017.

The San Diego Symphony has announced an impressive lineup of artists for its 2017 Bayside Summer Nights including legendary crooner Tony Bennett; star of Hamilton and Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom Jr.; internationally acclaimed Brazilian artist Sergio Mendes; country songstress Wynonna Judd; Grammy Award-winning Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo; and films accompanied by live orchestra, Academy Award®-winning La La Land, Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets and E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial. San Diego Symphony's popular and highly successful summer series trulyhas something for everyone!

The San Diego Symphony's long-running summer concert series located on the Embarcadero Marina Park South provides audiences with an unparalleled experience of live concert music in one of the most beautiful settings in America.

The New York Pops brands itself as "a different kind of orchestra," and the proof is in the programming. The orchestra, the largest independent orchestra in the United States, will begin the second half of their season on Friday, March 10, 2017, with a LIFE IS A CABARET: KANDER & EBB, celebrating the music of the legendary duo, and continuing a season (and organization mission) dedicated to featuring a wide variety of performers, composers, and genres.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents famous duets and solos of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, including "Love is Here to Stay," "Just One of Those Things" and highlights from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, April 21-23 in Red Bank, Newark and New Brunswick. Vocalist Marva Hicks and trumpeter Byron Stripling bring Armstrong and Fitzgerald's legendary partnership to life; Lee Musiker conducts.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the Cincinnati Pops will embark on its highly-anticipated international tour to Asia in March of 2017 with six performances in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Taiwan. 

The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second film in the Harry Potter franchise. On Saturday, October 28, at 2 pm, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will perform John Williams' unforgettable score from HarryPotter and the Chamber of Secrets, while the film plays in high-definition on a giant screen.

The 16th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, today announced its lineup of 57 thought-provoking and diverse short films in competition, including 36 world premieres. The selected shorts, 40% of which were directed by women, and include filmmakers from every corner of the globe, were curated from a record 4,385 submissions. They will be presented in 10 distinct competition programs, consisting of five narrative, four documentary, and, for the second year, one animated program. In addition, there is the Sports Shorts program as part of the 11th annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival, sponsored by Mohegan Sun. The Shorts program, sponsored by Nutella Originals, is a part of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, which runs April 19-30.

Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) and the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) today announced plans for the 2017-18 season, comprising more than 200 concerts in eleven months presented at Davies Symphony Hall. The Orchestra's 106th season is highlighted by musical touchstones that are trademarks of MTT's artistic vision for the Orchestra.

John Williams, a Vietnam veteran has completed his new book 'Journey to South Vietnam': a compelling tale of one man's struggle with conflict, faith and the psychological impact of war. Throughout his experience, Mr. Williams struggles to find light in the heart of darkness. When fellow Marines were being killed, the author found himself trapped in the idea of returning to combat to immerse himself in more warfare. Reflections on his mental state as a young man, and his forced encounters with the horrors of humanity, enlighten the reader on the mental and physical struggles of our men overseas.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) proudly presents its 13th annual New Creations Festival, March 4-11, 2017. Bold, experimental, and cutting edge, this year's Festival is curated by Polaris Music Prize-winner Owen Pallett, a renowned Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist. The 2017 New Creations Festival fuses the pop- and classical-music worlds, with a touch of electronic music, a little dose of improvisation, and a blend of Aboriginal and folk sounds. To further enhance the Festival, concertgoers can enjoy an array of ancillary events-curated by Canadian composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte-including pre-concert performances, intermission chats, and post-concert parties (all included with concert tickets). The Festival also features two more free events: Composers in Conversation, a forum presented in collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre on March 7, and a noon-hour concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, presented in collaboration with the Canadian Opera Company on March 9. All New Creations Festival performances are part of Canada Mosaic-a Signature Project of Canada 150.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic presents Cabrera Conducts The Music of John Williams today, March 4th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 5th at 2:00 p.m. in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center featuring our choir-in-residence, The Las Vegas Master Singers.  Patrons are encouraged to come early and dress in their favorite John Williams soundtrack movie character for special galactic surprises in Reynolds Hall lobby.  Music Director Donato Cabrera will host a pre-concert conversation at 6:30 p.m. today evening and at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon for patrons to learn more about John Williams and the music behind these iconic films. 

Esteemed musician Ann Hobson Pilot will receive the League of American Orchestras' highest honor, the Gold Baton, at the League's 72nd National Conference in Detroit,June 6-8, 2017.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell have announced the details of the Pops' 2017-18 season, the first back in the Orchestra's home at Music Hall following an extensive renovation and transition season at the Taft Theatre.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced a weeklong celebration to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of its namesake, the late President John F. Kennedy-whose 100th birthday would have been May 29, 2017. The Center kicked off its Centennial celebration last May, and by the end of 2017, will have presented a suite of more than 50 distinct programs inspired by five ideals often ascribed to President Kennedy: Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude. Special performances fromMay 23-29, 2017 span theater programs, dance, music, and the return of the Center's popular Open House, which all memorialize the life and legacy of America's 35th President. Highlights include performances by DJ Spooky, Yo-Yo Ma with the National Symphony Orchestra, the world premieres of Kennedy Center commissions by composer Mason Bates and Company E, and special Open House performances by Bandaloop, Flexn, and others. Additional programs through 2017 will be announced at a future date.

Journey back in time to the wondrous kingdom of Camelot, where gallant knights and fair damsels rule the land! Pacific Symphony's "Family Musical Mornings" concert-"King Arthur and the Legend of the Dragon's Lair"-is a rollicking ride, full of adventure, heroism, danger and excitement!

Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore today released The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2017-18 season. Nezet-Seguin begins his sixth season in Philadelphia with a commitment to lead the world-renowned ensemble through at least 2025-26, continuing a relationship between music director and musicians that has garnered praise around the globe.

There is a special FREE concert next week on Wednesday, March 1 at 8:00 pm at Well Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall). Young Virtuosos From Hungary - TAMÁS KÖKENY, DOUBLE BASS AND FRIENDS.

Announced today on The Star Wars Show and StarWars.com, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” will be coming home on Digital HD on March 24th and Blu-ray on April 4th.  This news comes on the heels of the start of production announcement of the untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story.  “Rogue One” has established its place within the Star Wars universe and the hearts of moviegoers, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S.