Wartburg Community Symphony

10/15/2026

You'll want to turn up early on Saturday for our 7 p.m. concert to enjoy the opening of our Pictures at an Exhibition in the Waldemar A. Schmidt Art Gallery — check out these sneak peeks at the exhibit. Join us in the Bachman Fine Arts Center starting at 5:30 p.m. with a preconcert talk at 6 p.m.

Mussorgsky wrote his "Pictures" suite to reflect the experience of viewing his friend's artwork. We've brought that full circle, illustrating the music with curated works, including pieces by area elementary students and artists. Bring headphones to the gallery to listen to the movements that connect with each display!

10/15/2026

🎨 Come experience Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition both on and off stage! We are thrilled to uplift local artists in connection with this iconic work for our Saturday October 17, concert!

🖌️Join us at 6pm in the Waldemar A. Schmidt art gallery for our pre-concert talk and art exhibit, followed by a short walk over to Neumann for the 7pm performance. (Headphones recommended for full gallery experience!) More information at https://www.wartburg.edu/gallery/

10/14/2026

We're so excited to feature trombonist Ian Rutherford during our concert at 7 p.m. Saturday! He'll join the symphony for Launy Grøndahl's Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra.

"This is the first concerto I remember really loving. It is romantic, cinematic, and filled with memorable melodies. Everyone who grew up with me could sing the opening melody of the first movement to this day," Ian said.

"It showcases the vast amounts of different timbres the trombone can produce. It has moments of singing and moments of power and everything in between. It was one of the earliest reasons I learned how to play tenor clef. This piece in many ways is a main reason why I became a performer. I wanted to play pieces of music like this one."

Don't miss this powerful performance — get your tickets now at www.wartburg.edu/symphony!

10/13/2026

It's dress rehearsal week, so we've taken over Neumann Auditorium!

Our season kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday — go to www.wartburg.edu/symphony to get your tickets for Portraits & Possibilities, featuring "The Wreckers," trombonist Ian Rutherford, and "Pictures at an Exhibition." You don't want to miss this musical journey!

10/09/2026

We're hard at work preparing for our concert next week — we hope you're looking forward to it! In the meantime, you can support our students at free Homecoming & Family Weekend concerts:

🍊 Kammerstreicher & Castle Singers, 7 p.m. Saturday, Wartburg Chapel
🍊 Wartburg Choir, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Wartburg Chapel
🍊 Wind Ensemble, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Neumann Auditorium

10/07/2026

Meet Johanna Lovig, our Principal Horn player! This is her fifth season with the symphony.

Her favorite performance: "Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 5. As a horn player, there are some really great moments throughout the entire piece!"

And why does she love playing in the symphony? "I am grateful to play alongside musicians who inspire me every day to improve as a player and as a person. The students bring me joy, and the community members are truly wonderful. Being part of this orchestra serves as a reminder of the importance of observing the world around us and participating in something greater than ourselves."

Special thanks to Red & Nina Brickman, our Principal Horn sponsors!

10/07/2026

🎤 Thank you KWAY for the spotlight this morning! Tune in to hear all about our upcoming concert-you won't want to miss it!

🔖 Get your tickets now by going to: https://www.wartburg.edu/symphony/

Listen to Warrtburg Community Symphony Interview by KWAY Radio on

10/02/2026

Today's the last day to submit your artwork for our Pictures at an Exhibition competition! Drop your art off at Vogel Library by 4 p.m. for a chance to be part of an exhibit in the campus art gallery and have your work shown at our Oct. 17 concert.

09/29/2026

📚 Big thank you to the Waverly Library and their "Tales around Town" series for coming on campus today! What a fun morning of music and reading. Special thanks to Trevor Klug and Emily McClimon for making this possible!

🔖 Kids were also given their own Waverly Art Pass, listing great music events in the area, with opportunities to earn art charms. Our upcoming concert on Oct. 17, 7pm is a great opportunity to start this journey! All kids/students are FREE!

🎼 More information at: https://www.wartburg.edu/symphony/