KENNETT SQUARE, PA — The Brandywine Valley Symphony (BVS), formerly known as the Kennett Symphony, has unveiled its 2025–26 season, marking its 85th year with a fresh identity and a diverse program of orchestral masterworks, chamber performances, and community events across the region.
The rebranding underscores the orchestra’s expanding reach throughout Chester County, the Main Line, and the greater Brandywine Valley while maintaining its tradition of delivering world-class performances. “Our orchestra continues to thrive, deepening its artistic excellence while strengthening connections throughout the Brandywine Valley,” said Artistic Director Michael Hall. “This season honors the great symphonic tradition while embracing new perspectives and innovative experiences.”
The season begins October 5 with The Classics at Brantwyn, an elegant garden party and fundraising event held at a historic du Pont estate in Wilmington, Delaware. Guests will enjoy gourmet brunch, live music by the Klinefelter Quartet, and a display of vintage automobiles, culminating in a People’s Choice Best of Show award.
The concert calendar opens October 12 with Masterworks 1: Where the River Meets the Sky at the Duffy Arts Center in Malvern, featuring Samuel Barber’s Essay No. 1, Grieg’s Piano Concerto performed by guest soloist Anna Shelest, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish.”
Additional highlights include an intimate Salon Concert on November 23 at Mendenhall Inn, offering Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings paired with multimedia storytelling, and a Holiday Concert with the BVS Brass Quintet on December 6 at the Chester County History Center, blending festive music with local history.
Family-focused programming arrives February 28, 2026, with an interactive performance by the BVS Woodwind Quintet at the Kennett Library, designed to introduce children to classical instruments. The chamber series continues with a Mother’s Day concert by the BVS String Quartet on May 9, 2026, at Winterthur Museum, offering a cultural experience amid historic gardens and exhibitions.
The season also features Masterworks 2: Songs Without Borders on March 22, 2026, at the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, highlighting works by Gabriela Lena Frank, Max Bruch, Claude Debussy, and Zoltán Kodály. The series concludes June 25, 2026, at Longwood Gardens with Masterworks 3: Made in America, a patriotic celebration featuring music by John Williams, Gershwin, Bernstein, Price, Copland, and Dvořák, set against the backdrop of Longwood’s Open Air Theatre.
With performances ranging from grand orchestral works to intimate chamber settings, the Brandywine Valley Symphony’s upcoming season reflects both its historical roots and its forward-looking vision. The organization remains committed to making classical music accessible and inspiring for audiences of all ages throughout the region.
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