Hastings Symphony Orchestra celebrates 100th season “A Century of Sound” in 2025-2026. 

HASTINGS, NE – August 28, 2025 – The Hastings Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is thrilled to invite the community to its historic 100th season, a rare and remarkable milestone! The festivities kick off on Thursday September 4 with the opening of “HSO: A Century of Sound” exhibit at the Hastings Museum, followed by their first concert Sunday September 7th at Chautauqua Park, free to the public.

For a century, the HSO has been a source of artistic excellence, cultural enrichment, and community pride. The community is invited to celebrate “A Century of Sound”, honoring our legacy while boldly launching us into a vibrant future.

This landmark achievement solidifies HSO’s position as one of the longest-running orchestras in the country. “We are incredibly proud and excited to celebrate 100 years of sharing music with Hastings and surrounding communities,” says Nichole Bryant, HSO Board President. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of talented musicians, conductors, volunteers, and the unwavering support of our community.

In anticipation of the centennial celebration, the HSO recently embarked on a “Centennial Crescendo” campaign, raising funds to ensure the orchestra’s continued vitality for the next 100 years. Generous patrons Karen and Roger Doerr matched the first $100,000 donated to the HSO by June 30, 2025, underscoring the vital role community support plays in sustaining the orchestra's mission. This successful campaign highlights the deep connection the orchestra shares with its audience and supporters.

Highlights of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra’s 100th season:

·       Opening Thursday Sept. 4: “A Century of Sound” exhibit at The Hastings Museum will feature the HSO’s 100-year history.  Dr. Byron Jensen, Deb Johnson, and Curt Gosser have curated a fantastic exhibit showcasing highlights of our 100 year history.  Special acknowledgement will be made to our generous friends and honored guests Karen and Roger Doerr. 

·       Sunday Sept. 7th the HSO will perform their free outdoor pops concert featuring popular movie themes, Broadway hits, and contemporary favorites for our birthday kick off at Chautauqua Pavilion! Special Scoops’ truck will be available to buy ice cream, and you can enjoy some popcorn in the park! 

·       Throughout the season special guest artists will include local singer songwriters, The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, UNL Orchestra, and The Young Artist Competition winners.

 ·       The season will feature commissioned composition by Director Tyler White celebrating 100 years in 100 measures, and a piece by local award-winning composer and educator Hugo Madera.

 ·       The season finale will culminate in the performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony April 26, 2026. It will be a true Joy to witness this spectacle! 

Boilerplate: The Hastings Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has been enriching the lives of audiences in south central Nebraska since its founding in 1925. As a Nebraska non-profit corporation and a 501(c)(3) organization, the HSO provides quality live music and music education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. Its dedicated musicians, many of whom are community members, contribute their time and talent to creating inspiring performances and fostering a vibrant appreciation for the arts. Learn more at HastingsSymphony.com.