SKS Reveals Expanded 2025-26 Season, Announces World Premiere

The South Kansas Symphony, Inc. (SKS) is excited to announce its 2025-26 season, which will feature a world premiere and an expanded concert schedule offering performance opportunities in three area communities. The season will include a total of seven concerts, with four performances taking place in Winfield at Southwestern College’s Richardson Performing Arts Center (RPAC). 

Under the direction of Dr. Michael Christensen, the season kicks off in Winfield with a concert on November 2 featuring Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring and Prairie Journal. The orchestra will then hit the road on November 15 for a performance at Chaparral Jr./Sr. High School, thanks to a unique partnership with The Arts Center in Anthony, KS. 

On December 7, the symphony will continue its participation in Southwestern College’s annual Winterfest performance, a free Christmas concert featuring the college’s choir, pep band, and other musical groups. 

The second half of the season highlights local, well-known musicians Dr. James Leland, Stephen Butler, and Kansas-based composer Dr. Susan Mayo. On March 1, the symphony will perform Camille Saint-Saens’ Symphony No. 3, Organ Symphony, with Dr. James Leland on organ and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with pianist Stephen Butler.

The final three performances of the season will feature the world premiere of Malaqatin Meetings, a new work by Kansas-based composer Dr. Susan Mayo. Mayo has been part of the musical landscape of Kansas for many years and is active as a cellist (a longtime member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra), composer, and community arts organizer. There will be three opportunities to hear this piece during the season. The premiere will be performed during the April 26 concert in Winfield. Two out-of-town performances will follow on April 27 in Peabody, KS, and May 19 at Cowley College in Ark City.

Concert sponsors include Mike & Linda Harvey/Family Wealth Management, Curtis & Sparla Dick, The Arts Center (Anthony), Gail Burden, OD, Dr. Bryan and Debbie Dennett, Larry & Linda Hahn, the Kansas Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Trust Company of Kansas.

Tickets and additional information for all performances can be found on the symphony's website, southkansassymphony.org, or on the South Kansas Symphony Facebook page.

Members of the symphony include Cowley College and Southwestern College students and alumni, community members, and high school students representing Winfield, Arkansas City, and surrounding communities like Belle Plaine, Derby, Dexter, Wellington, and Wichita.