Panama City Symphony closes its 30th Anniversary Season with three engaging events that span musical eras, genres and venues. On March 5, Renaissance to Rock-n-Roll, a dynamic, high-energy merging of musical styles through a 500-year timespan, is back for its second year. This collaboration between Panama City Symphony musicians and local rock-n-roll favorite, The Will Thompson Band, is an exhilarating journey through centuries of song, bringing diverse, enthusiastic new audiences together. General Admission includes entrance to the show, dinner catered by Paparazzi Gourmet Italian, and wine at each table with a Cash Bar. Renaissance to Rock-n-Roll takes place from 6-9 p.m. at Capt. Anderson’s Event Center, 5550 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach.
On March 28, Panama City Symphony features the brilliant works of three classical composers for an evening of elegance and timeless mastery. The Best of Bach, Beethoven & Mozart will be performed by a chamber orchestra and feature select orchestra musicians as soloists. The program opens with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, a dazzling showcase of Baroque vitality. Mozart’s lyrical Clarinet Concerto in A Major, featuring clarinetist John Divine, follows with its sublime beauty and expressive charm. After intermission, the orchestra brings to life Beethoven’s spirited Symphony No. 1 in C Major – a bold debut that blends classical tradition with the first signs of the composer’s revolutionary voice.
“This Mozart Concerto is one of the most iconic works in the clarinet repertoire, and I am so excited to get to perform it with the Panama City Symphony,” said Symphony Principal Clarinetist, John Divine. “It has charm and beauty – and truly showcases why the clarinet was one of Mozart’s favorite instruments later in his life.” The Best of Bach, Beethoven & Mozart begins at 7 p.m. at Forest Park Church, 1401 W. 23rd Street, Panama City. With Forest Park Church’s stunning stained-glass windows, the show promises a visually and acoustically rich experience.
On April 11, Pictures at an Exhibition & Bruch Violin Concerto combines visual art with music, with works by Bernstein, Bruch and Mussorgsky. This extraordinary and very unique show includes a curated collection of original art inspired by the music. The celebration begins with an opening gallery reception at the Panama City Center for the Arts on Friday, March 13, from 5-7 p.m. During this event, the public is invited to view the works of the twelve selected finalists in the Main Gallery, where the first, second, and third place winners will be officially announced. The exhibition will remain open to the public at the Center for the Arts through April 10, 2026, before being relocated to the foyer of the Barbara W. Nelson Fine Arts Center for viewing on concert night. On the evening of the performance, concertgoers will have the opportunity to participate in the arts experience by voting for a People’s Choice Award. All finalist artwork will be available for purchase, with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting the artists, the Center for the Arts, and the Panama City Symphony. This initiative highlights the Symphony’s commitment to fostering a vibrant local arts community.
Three dance episodes from ‘On the Town’ capture the spirit of New York City, while Bruch’s evocative Violin Concerto No. 1 showcases guest violinist Ànnika Jenkins’ artistry and virtuosity. After intermission, the concert culminates with Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition,’ a masterpiece that brings paintings to life with each note. Ànnika Jenkins has soloed throughout the United States and abroad and performed as concertmaster of numerous national and international orchestras. A multi-instrumentalist, she was awarded the Paderewski Gold Medal for piano performance by the American College of Musicians, and a Certificate of Music Performance in Singing from Trinity College London-Guildhall School of Music. Pictures at an Exhibition & Bruch Violin Concerto takes place at 7 p.m. at the Barbara W. Nelson Fine Arts Center at Bay High School, 1200 Harrison Avenue, Panama City.
For all three events, tickets are available on PanamaCitySymphony.org, and tickets for Bach, Beethoven & Mozart and Pictures at an Exhibition are also available at Eventbrite.com. Details on Panama City Symphony and its 30th Anniversary Season can also be found on social media: @PanamaCitySymphony.
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