Symphony in the Cities
Pack a picnic, grab a lawn chair or blanket and gather the family for an evening of free music and outdoor summer fun! Now a long-standing summer tradition, Symphony in the Cities (SITC) brings thousands of people together for great music and entertainment in local parks each year. With a potpourri of popular classics, pop tunes, and patriotic tunes, these concerts are led this summer by Assistant Conductor Jacob Sustaita and the audience is invited to participate in a sing-along of patriotic favorites.
A pre-concert Musical Playground features many interactive and hands-on activities for children, including instrument making and a drum circle. And—back each year by popular demand—kids have the chance to learn how to conduct with Maestro Sustaita and later help lead the orchestra in Sousa’s “Hands Across the Sea” during the concert.
2025 Symphony in the Cities Schedule
Costa Mesa
Tue ● July 29 ● 6 p.m.
Fairview Park
2525 Placentia Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Irvine
Sun ● Aug 3 ● 7 p.m. ● Pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.
Mike Ward Community Park - Woodbridge
20 Lake Road, Irvine, CA 92604
Mission Viejo
Sat ● Aug 9 ● 7 p.m. ● Prelude in the Park ● 4 p.m.
Oso Viejo Community Park on the Village Green
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Musco Center for the Arts
Sun ● Aug 10 ● Time: TBD
Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University
Newport Beach
Sun ● Aug 17 ● Time: TBD
Newport Beach Central Library
Artists & Program
ARTISTS
Jacob Sustaita, conductor
Michael O’Halloran, baritone
Jessica Choi, soprano
PROGRAM
JOHN STAFFORD SMITH: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Arr. Arthur Luck, Lyricist Francis Scott Key
LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Selections from West Side Story
Arr. Jack Mason
"I Feel Pretty"
"Maria"
"Something's Coming"
"Tonight"
"One Hand, One Heart"
"Cool"
"America"
AARON COPLAND: Selections from Old American Songs
"The Boatmen's Dance"
"Simple Gifts"
"I Bought Me a Cat"
RICHARD RODGERS: "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music
Lyricist Oscar Hammerstein
FRANZ LEHÁR: Waltz Duet ("Lippen Schweigen") from The Merry Widow
JOHN WILLIAMS: "Flying Theme" from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea March
GEORGES BIZET: "Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre" (Toreador Song) from Carmen
FRANZ LEHÁR: "Meine lippen, sie küssen so heiß" from Giuditta
LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Balcony Scene ("Tonight") from West Side Story
VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
Arr. Bob Lowden
SAMUEL WARD: "America the Beautiful"
Arr. Greg Prechel, Lyricist Katherine Lee Bates
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA: The Stars and Stripes Forever