Valley Symphony Orchestra

10/11/2026

Shoutout to Levitt Family Foundation for their support of Symphony in the Park! A social impact funder at the intersection of music, public space and community building, Levitt Family Foundation supports changemakers and nonprofits nationwide to build healthy, connected, and thriving communities by making live music accessible and bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together. Learn more: levitt.org

Additional support from H-E-B Helping Here, Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP, City of McAllen, McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center.

10/08/2026

‼️KNOW BEFORE YOU GO‼️

With the move inside to the McAllen Performing Arts Center, here’s a few things to keep in mind before you head out on Saturday.

🎟️Admission is FREE! Seating is first come, first served and subject to venue capacity. No reserved seats.

🍿Concessions will be available for purchase. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

🔪Weapons, smoking, va**ng, strollers, balloons, and other items deemed inadmissible by MPAC staff are prohibited.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

🚪 6:00 PM | Lobby Doors Open

🥁6:30 PM | Kids' Percussion Workshop: A fun, hands-on musical experience for our youngest guests.

🎻7:00 PM | VSO String Quartet of Horror: Get into the spooky spirit with seasonal and Halloween-inspired music.

🎶8:00 PM | Frankenstein (1931): Experience the iconic film with an original score by Grammy-nominated composer Michael Shapiro, performed LIVE by a 27-person chamber ensemble under the direction of special guest conductor Jacob Aaron Schnitzer.

Symphony in the Park is supported by a 2026 Festivals Grant from Levitt Family Foundation. Additional support from H-E-B Helping Here, Atlas Hall Rodriguez, LLP, City of McAllen TX Government, McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center.

Can’t wait to see you on Saturday!

10/07/2026

Music has a way of reaching us when words sometimes can’t. 🎶

The Hidalgo County Mental Health Coalition is honored to join the Valley Symphony Orchestra as it celebrates 75 years of bringing our community together through music. We are proud to share a special message highlighting the connection between music, community and mental wellness.

We'll be tabling and sharing resources at their FREE Symphony in the Park event on Saturday, October 10 at 6p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, which is also World Mental Health Day.

Congratulations to the Valley Symphony Orchestra on 75 years of music, connection and community! 🎵

10/06/2026

🎬 Did you know the original Frankenstein did not have a soundtrack?

When Frankenstein first terrified audiences in 1931, the iconic film had no musical score. Decades later, Grammy-nominated composer Michael Shapiro created an acclaimed orchestral score that has since brought the classic film to life for sold-out audiences around the world.

Now, it’s coming to McAllen! 🎻⚡

Join the Valley Symphony Orchestra at the FREE Symphony in the Park, now taking place INDOORS at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, and experience Frankenstein on the big screen accompanied by Shapiro’s score performed LIVE by a 27-person chamber orchestra with special guest conductor Jacob Aaron Schnitzer.

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026 - DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM
📍 McAllen Performing Arts Center
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

Thank you to Levitt Family Foundation for its support of Symphony in the Park! We love Levitt Family Foundation's mission, which is to strengthen the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. In 2026, Levitt is supporting more than 1,000 free outdoor concerts nationwide in 100+ towns and cities across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds to create healthy, connected, and thriving communities. Learn more: levitt.org/

Additional support provided by H-E-B, Atlas Hall Rodriguez, LLP, City of McAllen TX Government, McAllen Convention Center, and McAllen Performing Arts Center.

10/05/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT VENUE UPDATE: SYMPHONY IN THE PARK IS MOVING INDOORS TO THE MCALLEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER! 🚨

Due to the ongoing rain and the resulting soggy conditions at the Oval Park lawn, Symphony in the Park will now take place inside the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 10 starting at 6 PM, and FREE!

We are incredibly grateful to the McAllen Performing Arts Center for opening its doors to our community and giving Symphony in the Park a new home for the evening. Rain or shine, the celebration continues!

This year’s program features:

🎬 Frankenstein on the big screen with a live orchestra: Experience the 1931 classic film Frankenstein with an original live score by Grammy-nominated composer Michael Shapiro, performed by a 27-person chamber orchestra with special guest conductor Jacob Aaron Schnitzer.

🎻 VSO String Quartet of Horror: Get into the spooky spirit with seasonal and Halloween-inspired repertoire performed by the VSO String Quartet of Horror.

🥁 Kids’ percussion workshop: A hands-on musical experience for our youngest guests.

📍 NEW LOCATION: McAllen Performing Arts Center
📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026 - DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

Symphony in the Park is supported by a 2026 Festivals Grant from Levitt Family Foundation. Additional support from H-E-B, Atlas Hall Rodriguez, LLP, City of McAllen TX Government, McAllen Convention Center, and McAllen Performing Arts Center.

10/01/2026

🎟️ Single tickets for our 75th Masterworks Concert Season are ON SALE NOW!

Make it a date night. Bring the family. Plan an evening out with friends. The power of a live orchestra awaits.

From beloved masterpieces and extraordinary guest artists to music you may discover for the very first time, there’s something special waiting for you this season.

Pick your concert (or concerts!) and join us at the McAllen Performing Arts Center as we celebrate 75 years of music in the Rio Grande Valley.

Visit bit.ly/vso75mw to purchase.

⚠️ Official Valley Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Concert tickets are available ONLY via Ticketmaster. Do NOT purchase from third party sites.

09/10/2026

The Valley Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its 75th Anniversary Season with the 3rd annual SYMPHONY IN THE PARK on Saturday, October 10 at 6 PM at the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park!

This FREE outdoor community event, part of the ongoing Sunset Live Concert Series, brings an evening of music, food, and family fun to the heart of McAllen.

📍 McAllen Convention Center Oval Park
📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
🕕 6 PM

✨ This year’s program features:

🎬 FRANKENSTEIN WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA! Experience the 1931 classic film Frankenstein with an original live score by Grammy-nominated composer Michael Shapiro, performed by a 27-person chamber orchestra with special guest conductor, Jacob Aaron Schnitzer.

🎻 The VSO String Quartet of Horror, featuring seasonal and Halloween-inspired favorites.

🥁 A kids’ percussion workshop.

🍴 Food trucks, refreshments, vendors, and more family fun!

Supported by a 2026 Festivals Grant from Levitt Family Foundation. Additional support from H-E-B Helping Here, Atlas Hall Rodriguez, LLP, City of McAllen TX Government, and McAllen Convention Center.

08/28/2026

Meet one of the people behind the posts! 📱🎶

This summer, we had the pleasure of welcoming recent UTRGV graduate and current masters student Ysabella Ponce to the Valley Symphony Orchestra team as our intern. Throughout the past several weeks, Ysabella helped with content for our social media channels and had the opportunity to experience some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into our programs.

At the VSO, we’re proud to create opportunities for students and emerging professionals to gain hands-on experience, develop their skills and contribute to the arts in the Rio Grande Valley.

Thank you for everything you brought to the VSO this summer, Ysabella. We can’t wait to see what you do next! 🎻✨

08/20/2026

🏣 Big things are coming for the Valley Symphony Orchestra!

After more than six years in our current home, we’re getting ready for a big move. As we set our sights on our 75th season, the VSO will soon be relocating to a new home in the McAllen’s Cultural District. 🎶

There is still plenty of work to be done before we officially move in, but we’re excited to see our new home flourish into a vibrant hub of creativity and community spirit where we can continue making orchestral music accessible throughout the RGV.

We can’t wait to show you what’s taking shape. Stay tuned! 👀

06/21/2026

🎼VSO AUDITIONS AUGUST 22!💫

Qualified musicians are invited to audition for the Valley Symphony Orchestra, a per-service regional orchestra that performs in McAllen, TX and across the Rio Grande Valley.

Candidates are asked to prepare the selected excerpts plus a solo. More info + registration details at https://bit.ly/vsoaud2627

Registration deadline is August 12. (Please note that a Google account is required to complete the form).

Auditions will be held at the South Texas College Cooper Center (3200 Pecan Blvd, McAllen, TX) on Saturday, August 22, 2026. To register for an audition time, please fill out the form below and mail a $50 deposit check to the address below (checks should be made out to the Valley Symphony Orchestra)...