From the Director: Hays Symphony 2026-27 Season Letter
- hayssymphony
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dear Friends of the Symphony,
I’m excited about the 2026-2027 Hays Symphony season! As we prepare for the 113th year of the orchestra, I want to thank you for your support and generosity. We are so fortunate to be part of this community and look forward to sharing some fantastic music with you!
This season is inspired by three anniversaries: the United States turns 250, Fort Hays State University will turn 125, and in 1977, George Lucas presented Star Wars.
The season begins in August with “An American Tribute,” a fitting pops concert for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Terry Crull will be our emcee, and we will present an entertaining selection of American favorites, including music of Sousa, Gershwin, and Duke Ellington.
In September, the Hays Symphony returns to the magnificent St. Joseph Catholic Church with “Simply Strings II” featuring Hays Symphony flautists Hilary Shepard and Mel Sauer. We’ll present works from the Baroque to the present, taking advantage of this glorious setting for truly beautiful music.
A timeless masterwork, Mussorgsky’s powerful “Pictures at an Exhibition” will be performed at the Children’s Halloween concert on November 1. This family concert is for children of all ages! In December we will be joined by Ken Windholz as our emcee for the “Poinsettia Pops” concert featuring holiday music, Christmas carols, and an audience sing-along.
In February, we present “The Hero’s Journey,” featuring three masterworks that tell the story of three very different kind of heroic journeys, including a performance of John Williams’ Star Wars Suite to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this cultural phenomenon. The season then concludes in May with “Inspiration Strikes,” a concert to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Fort Hays State University. I’ve selected two works that were written at the same time FHSU was being formed; Nielsen’s Helios Overture, and the epic 2nd Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninoff, featuring pianist Irena Ravitskaya.
Your support of the Hays Symphony is an invaluable gift to the cultural life of Hays, and we could not present these concerts without your generosity. We are so grateful to have you be a part of the orchestra, and I look forward to seeing you at our next concert!
With gratitude,
Ben Cline
Music Director, Hays Symphony
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