A Season of Sound

From historic churches to grand concert halls, music takes center stage across County Lines country. As autumn’s rhythm gives way to the holiday season, our area’s musicians are tuning up for a season of memorable concerts.

Here’s a look at the ensembles that keep the Brandywine Valley in perfect harmony. Check websites for tickets, locations and more performances.

Symphony Orchestras

Orchestras across the Brandywine Valley are striking a chord this season with performances that celebrate both tradition and creativity. Whether presenting beloved classics or introducing audiences to fresh new works, these ensembles showcase the remarkable depth of musical talent in our region. Read on to find out what’s in store.

Brandywine Valley Symphony

Chester County’s only professional orchestra is back for a new season — and with a new name. Formerly the Kennett Symphony, the Brandywine Valley Symphony began in 1940 as a small, volunteer community orchestra and has evolved into a premier ensemble. Today, the symphony delivers thrilling performances, fosters meaningful connections with audiences, and creates unforgettable musical experiences locally, regionally and soon nationally, as they gear up for their Carnegie Hall debut next fall.

On November 23, join the symphony at the Mendenhall Inn for a concert in the Grand Ballroom. Enjoy an afternoon of Tchaikovsky’s poignant “Serenade for Strings” in a relaxed setting with light appetizers and drinks. Artistic Director Michael Hall will be your guide, offering stories, visuals and musical examples to make the music come alive. Next up, a holiday concert with the BVS Brass Quintet, December 6 at the Chester County History Center. BVSymphony.org

Delaware County Symphony

Since 1971, the Delaware County Symphony has provided classical music experiences to area residents. Based at Neumann University’s Meagher Theatre, this 70-member community orchestra has also performed at regional venues like the Kimmel Center, Wilmington’s Grand Opera House, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Media Theatre.

To celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, their 2025–26 Symphony Series is aptly titled “Pride and Patriotism.” Up next is “Coming to America” on December 7, featuring music by composers who immigrated to the U.S. — Dvořák’s “American Suite,” Erich Korngold’s “Cello Concerto” and Rachmaninoff’s “Symphonic Dances.” Check online for details about “A Holiday Chamber Celebration” on November 30. DCSMusic.org

Delaware Symphony Orchestra

Dating back to the early 19th century, when Alfred I. du Pont founded his Tankopanicum Orchestra (meaning “the rushing waters of the Brandywine River”), the Delaware Symphony Orchestra has a long and storied history. Now in its 120th season, the symphony is starting a new chapter, welcoming Argentinian-Italian conductor Michelle Di Russo as its new music director.

This month, the symphony is getting casual. Don your favorite denim for “Beethoven and Blue Jeans,” featuring Lowell Liebermann’s “Concerto for Flute,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3, ‘Eroica’” and Camille Pépin’s “Laniakea.” Join them at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House on November 14 or Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes on November 16.

Celebrate the holidays with two special performances by the orchestra. Bring the whole family to The Grand on November 30 for the “Jingle Bell Jamboree,” with holiday favorites from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” And on December 9, “Holidays at the Hotel” brings festive cheer to the Hotel du Pont’s Gold Ballroom. DelawareSymphony.org

Main Line Symphony Orchestra

Based in Wayne, the Main Line Symphony Orchestra is a community ensemble made up of musicians of all ages, performing both standard orchestral pieces and new compositions.

The orchestra kicks off its 80th season with “Fall Sounds,” featuring Bach’s “Air on the G String,” Ferdinand David’s “Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra,” Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 2” and the world premiere of local composer Randy Navarre’s “La Grande Serenade.” Hear it at Valley Forge Middle School on November 21 or Elkins Park’s Congregation Keneseth Israel on November 22. MLSO.org

Early Music Ensembles

Our area is home to early music ensembles that bring the sounds of centuries past to modern audiences. Focusing on music from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods, these groups often perform on period instruments and explore historical performance practices, offering a glimpse into how music might have sounded in its original context. Here’s a look at how they keep these timeless traditions alive.

Brandywine Baroque

Based in Delaware, Brandywine Baroque performs chamber music on period instruments, often featuring national and international guest performers. They’re perhaps best known for their performances of rare and previously unpublished manuscripts, which would otherwise go unheard by modern audiences.

Next month Brandywine Baroque presents “A Celebration of Handel,” including works by Handel as well as selections by Vivaldi and Lorenzo Zavateri’s “Concerto Grosso, Op. 1, No. 10, ‘Pastorale.’” Attend a performance at The Barn at Flintwoods in Wilmington, December 12 and 14, or the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach, December 13. BrandywineBaroque.org

VoxAmaDeus

Founded in 1987 by Dr. Valentin Radu, VoxAmaDeus specializes in historically informed performances of High Renaissance, Baroque and Classical period music for both voice and authentic period instruments.

On November 7, Vox takes over the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater for “Mozart Coronation Mass & Symphony 40.” The crown jewel of this all-Mozart program is the celebratory “Coronation Mass,” which was the preferred music for imperial coronations. Other selections include Mozart’s famous “Symphony No. 40 in G Minor,” “Exultate, Jubilate” and “Piano Concerto No. 20,” in which Maestro Radu will perform as soloist while conducting from the keyboard — as Mozart did.

Get into the holiday spirit with Vox’s traditional holiday performances. The Ama Deus Ensemble soloists, chorus and Baroque orchestra once again perform Handel’s “Messiah” at churches around the area on December 5, 7, 19 and 21. And the Vox Renaissance Consort’s 39th annual “Renaissance Noël” celebrates the glorious Christmas music of Old Europe at Chestnut Hill’s Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields on December 13 and Bryn Mawr College’s Great Hall on December 14. VoxAmaDeus.org

Schools & University Groups

Local schools and universities are nurturing the next generation of musicians, offering students opportunities to perform, collaborate and grow their skills. From student ensembles and chamber groups to full orchestras, these programs showcase impressive talent and bring fresh energy to the local music scene — and are a great way to support arts education in our area.

Immaculata Symphony

Founded in the 1920s as a chamber orchestra exclusively for Immaculata University students, the Immaculata Symphony has since grown into a community-university partnership, comprised of both students and talented local musicians. The symphony performs major works by some of the greatest classical composers — including Beethoven’s famous “Symphony No. 9” — as well as lesser-known and heard symphonies.

On November 8, the Immaculata Symphony presents their fall concert, “Transformations,” at Immaculata’s Alumnae Hall. Hear works originally composed for piano transformed into full orchestral arrangements — Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2,” Debussy’s “Danse,” Bach’s “‘Little’ Fugue in G Minor” and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Return on December 7 for “Christmas Movie Classics,” when the orchestra performs the soundtrack of “The Snowman” while the film is projected behind them, along with other beloved holiday tunes. ImmaculataSymphony.org

The Music School of Delaware

For a century, the Music School of Delaware has brought music education to residents of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. The only statewide, accredited community music school in the country, the school holds over 100 public performances per year at its Wilmington and Milford branches.

On November 9, the school welcomes audiences to its Wilmington location for the Centennial Celebration, featuring a decade-themed music room, live performances, a silent auction, instrument petting zoos and more. Concerts this month include the Wilmington Community Orchestra’s “Romantic Masterworks” on November 1 and the Suzuki Academy Harvest Concert on November 2, both at the school’s Wilmington Concert Hall. Plus, the school hosts student recitals on November 16 and adult recitals on November 18. MusicSchoolOfDelaware.org

West Chester University

The acclaimed Wells School of Music at West Chester University hosts over 200 concerts each year, from intimate faculty and student recitals to large ensemble performances, plus accomplished guest artists. As a bonus, most are free to the public. Here are a few.

On November 7, the Criterions jazz band is joined by the Wynton Marsalis Quintet’s Dwayne Dolphin and his father, jazz legend Roger Humphries, at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center. Then, the Wind Symphony welcomes the United States Navy Band Brass Quintet on November 9, performing a suite from Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” and Jeff Tyzik’s “New York Cityscape.” On November 15, the Symphony Orchestra presents “Simply Transformed,” featuring Paul Dukas’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (heard in Disney’s “Fantasia”), a new arrangement of Philip Glass’s “Metamorphosis I” and Paul Hindemith’s classic “Symphonic Metamorphosis.”

Don’t miss WCU’s 104-year-old holiday tradition: the annual Holiday Program, featuring the Symphony Orchestra, combined choirs, Criterions and, new this year, WCU Pops Orchestra on December 6.

Finally, try to catch the “Incomparable” Golden Rams Marching Band’s 2025 halftime show, “Uncommon,” at home football games (November 1 and 15), the USBands State Championships at Downingtown West High School (November 1) and the West Chester Christmas Parade (December 5). WCUPA.edu/Music

The Brandywine Valley’s music scene is one of the region’s true joys, especially as the holidays draw near. With concerts taking place throughout the area, there’s sure to be a performance to brighten your season.

Don’t Miss a Beat

For music lovers looking for more:

Chester County Concert Band Fall Concert: “Fantasy of Flight.” November 2, Fugett Middle School, West Chester. CCCBand.org

Chester County Choral Society Fall Chamber Concert: “American a Cappella.” November 2, St. Michael Lutheran Church, Unionville. ChescoChoral.org

Liberty Youth Wind Symphony Concert. November 16, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, West Chester University. LibertyWindSymphony.org

Lancaster Symphony Orchestra Concert: “Mendelssohn & Beethoven.” November 21, 22 and 23, Gardner Theatre, Lancaster. LancasterSymphony.org

West Chester Children’s Chorus Concert. November 22, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, West Chester University. WCCCMusic.org

Rose Tree Pops Concert. November 23, St. Anastasia Church, Newtown Square. RoseTreePops.org

West Chester Community Concert Band Fall Concert. November 23, Alumnae Hall, Immaculata University. WCBand.org

Chesco Pops Holiday Concerts. TBA. ChescoPops.org