The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) will present its annual Side by Side concert on Sunday, March 15th at Methodist University’s Huff Concert Hall. The doors will open at 3:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 4:00 p.m. 

Join FSO in celebrating the hard work of our students and music educators at the Fayetteville Symphony's annual Side-by-Side Concert! Students from Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra (FSYO) will perform a concert with their counterparts in the FSO, under the baton of Music Director Stefan Sanders. The Youth Orchestra meets once a week, led by experienced teachers who perform with the FSO, to prepare music for this and other concerts throughout the school year. These educators will play alongside their students, creating a memorable learning experience for the young musicians. 

"The opportunity for our students to perform side-by-side with masterful musicians is a profound bridge between education and artistry," added FSYO conductor Daniel McCloud in a press release. "It moves the learning process beyond the rehearsal room and into a live experience where students don’t just hear excellence in performance, they participate in it. ​This collaboration highlights the FSO's commitment to high-level mentorship, building the next generation of musical artists." The FSO will also perform selections independently for the youth orchestras and concertgoers to start the show.

Side by Side is part of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's education and community programs, which aim to inspire a love of music in people of all ages. Stefan Sanders will be conducting this performance; for more information on Sanders' departure from the FSO, visit fayettevillesymphony.org/farewell-stefan. The final concert of our 2025-2026 season will feature the music of John Williams. Maestro Sanders will also conduct a special performance at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens on March 22nd. More information about these performances will be available in the coming weeks.

Tickets can be purchased online at fayettevillesymphony.org, by contacting the FSO office at (910) 433-4690, or at the door on the day of the concert. Tickets are $8 for all attendees. This concert is made possible in part by grants from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, and support from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.