Gear Up for the 2025/2026 Cultural Season

String Theory

How many orchestral concerts would you expect a city the size of Vero Beach to host in an eight-month period? Would you believe at least 25? Three organizations are primarily responsible for spoiling us with the sounds of the symphony.

For three decades, the Indian River Symphonic Association has been inviting distinguished orchestras from around the globe to Vero Beach. This season—January through March—the IRSA plans to welcome the Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Prague Philharmonia, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Guest soloists will include violinists Blake Pouliot, Joshua Bell, and Simone Porter, as well as pianists Andrew von Oeyen and Marc-André Hamelin. 

The Atlantic Classical Orchestra will kick off its four-part Masterworks series with selections shaped by African and African-American influences. The second concert features dramatic, and sometimes dark, compositions. To articulate Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, the ACO will welcome American prodigy Hina Khoung-Huu. The third performance, “Town & Country,” includes music that conjures images of landscapes and locations. The season finale, which will showcase the talent of horn player Karen Schubert, is titled “Themes & Variations.” In addition to its Masterworks concerts, the ACO partners with the Vero Beach Museum of Art to present the Chamber Music Series.

In addition to a full schedule of performances in its home county of Brevard, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra duplicates nearly all of its shows at venues here in Vero Beach. The SCSO has an expansive, down-to-earth approach, incorporating popular film and Broadway scores in its programs and at times inviting audience participation. This season’s offerings include a tribute to the music of Hollywood, a concert featuring eminent American composers, and even an Elvis impersonator! 

The Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra enters its 18th season with preparations for its usual two free concerts for the community’s enjoyment, to be held in March and April. Plans are also afoot for a strings concert before the end of 2025.

In the Sing of Things

The human voice as a musical instrument possesses its own distinctive qualities and can impart even greater layers of meaning to the already-expressive melodies we hear; thus, our musical landscape would not be complete without our opera society and choral ensembles.

Vero Beach Opera is growing and expanding the local reach of the unique art form that is opera. This season will include fully staged productions of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Mozart’s The Impresario, and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, plus a concert of operatic selections and the Rising Stars vocal competition. VBO also teams up with the Majestic 11
theater to give local residents the opportunity to experience operas broadcast live from the Met. The 2025–26 schedule boasts eight performances, including Bellini’s La Sonnambula, Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. 

Treasure Coast Chorale has four lively concerts planned: “Country Music Spectacular,” with a nod to the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry; TCC’s beloved annual rendition of Handel’s Messiah; “Stop in the Name of Love,” a tribute to Motown; and “Let Freedom Ring,” featuring a salute to our armed forces. 

The Vero Beach Choral Society will take the stage for two ambitious concerts this season. Verdi’s “Ave Maria,” Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, and Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio are on the first program; the second will entail a major collaboration in the performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana: a 60-piece professional orchestra; three soloists; choirs from Vero Beach High School, Saint Edward’s, and Indian River Charter High School; and the First Presbyterian Youth Choir. 

Q&A with Bobbee Larsson

For a peek behind the scenes, we consult enthusiastic Choral Society member Bobbee Larsson about what it’s like to be one voice in the midst of a 50-strong chorus.

How long have you been with Vero Beach Choral Society, and what inspired you to join?

I joined in 2018 at the encouragement of a friend who heard me say I was a singer, music teacher, and had been a member of other musical organizations in the past. I thought my singing days were behind me. I was wrong!

What is the audition process like?

After attending the first rehearsal, we were asked to join the director for a short but specific audition on tone, quality, and sight reading. Now, our artistic director, Dr. Jacob Craig, requires taping our voice part a cappella, with a metronome ensuring the correct tempo, and submitting it to him prior to the beginning of the season.

What is the most special aspect of choral singing?

Being a part of a group of talented musicians working to produce beautiful sounds. We are challenged by Jacob to perform at a higher level each concert.

About how many hours of rehearsal precede each performance?

We rehearse every Monday from 7 to 8:30, so about 20 hours before our December concert and 24 hours before our April concert.

Do you have a favorite selection or genre to sing?

I am a classical musician, but our concert in April was “Musical Medleys from Gilbert and Sullivan to Sondheim and Schwartz,” so singing “Day by Day” and “Send in the Clowns” was thrilling.

Do you ever have to sing a piece you’re not particularly crazy about, or do you come to love each one as you learn it?

One of the exciting aspects of being a part of this amazing choral society is being introduced to different music genres, including some that we are not familiar or comfortable with. When we performed a jazz mass, Mass in Blue by Will Todd, it was out of our comfort zone, but we learned to love it and loved our performance.

Into the Act

Another area in which Vero Beach “punches above its weight,” so to speak, is in the theatrical arts. Two theaters thrive here, collectively staging at least 15 shows each season. They share a common origin, but in the mid-1980s, Riverside Theatre became a professional Equity theater and the Vero Beach Theatre Guild moved to San Juan Avenue and continued the tradition of community theater.

This season, Riverside Theatre presents four musicals on the Stark Main Stage: Little Shop of Horrors, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Jesus Christ Superstar, and 9 to 5. Additional offerings include two plays on the intimate Waxlax Stage (Mauritius and Almost, Maine), comedy performances, live outdoor music, behind-the-scenes tours, and children’s programs. 

At the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, season 68 promises to bring six Mainstage productions: A Chorus Line, Neil Simon’s Rumors, Mel Brooks’ musical version of Young Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol: The Musical, Cabaret, and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Three additional shows comprise Blackbox After Dark, a series for “mature actors and adult audiences.” The guild also offers classes and workshops for children and adults. 

Q&A with Michael Naffziger

As a special treat this year, we have asked the director of the Theatre Guild’s Theatrical Learning Center, Michael Naffziger, to teach us a few things about the craft of acting.

How long have you been in charge of the Theatrical Learning Center at the Theatre Guild?

While the concept has been in development for several years, the Theatrical Learning Center is now proudly entering its third year of operation.

In what ways would you say that acting is unique as an art form?

An actor brings their own voice, emotion, and interpretation, making every moment on stage a one-of-a-kind connection between artist and audience.

What personal qualities make for a good actor?

A good actor demonstrates the courage to take risks, the openness to accept direction, and the discipline to silence self-doubt.

Do complete newcomers ever show up for auditions, or would everyone already have had classes or experience in prior productions?

Absolutely—both seasoned performers and complete newcomers are welcome! At the TLC, we have students with years of experience alongside many who are stepping into the theater world for the very first time. We offer both an “Acting Track” and a “Tech Track,” so students can find their place, whether they want to be onstage or behind the scenes. Unlike many traditional programs, we emphasize that every role—actor, dancer, technician, or crew member—is equally vital. Whether you’re delivering a lead performance or sweeping the stage before the curtain rises, you are an essential part of the story we’re telling together.

What course of action would you recommend for members of the community who would like to try acting but feel reticent or intimidated?

First and foremost, we are a community theater—a place where everyone is welcome. We strive to create an environment where all feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether you’re taking a class, volunteering backstage, joining us for a tour, or stepping onto the stage for the first time, know this: if you bring kindness and an open heart, there will always be a place for you here.

Has anyone ever surprised you with untapped or unexpected acting talent?

I encounter unexpected talent almost every day—and it’s one of the great joys of working in community theater. Uncovering the untapped potential hidden throughout our community is at the heart of what we do. There are countless moments that stand out: I’ve watched 70-year-olds tap dance with joy and energy, and I’ve heard 4-year-olds belt out ballads with stunning confidence. The range and surprise of talent never cease to inspire me.

The Eyes Have It

The visual arts have enjoyed prominence in Vero Beach for generations, with an impressive museum, a long-standing art club, and numerous galleries and studios. Art happenings abound; all you have to do is look around!

Four decades after opening its doors, the Vero Beach Museum of Art is more vibrant with activity than ever. The highlight of 2026 will be “American Made: Painting and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection,” which will bring more than 80 works spanning 250 years of American art to the museum for a six-month run. Three additional visiting exhibitions will be augmented by a show featuring recent additions to the VBMA’s own permanent collection. 

Also going strong after decades—in this case nine of them—the Vero Beach Art Club has plenty of plans for the coming year, including art festivals, exhibitions, classes, workshops, and youth programs. As always, the centerpiece is the annual Under the Oaks arts and crafts event, now in its 75th year. Be sure to mark your calendar for March 13–15!

Each year, McKee Botanical Garden welcomes a major large-scale exhibition to its 18-acre premises. From January 17 through May 24, 2026, McKee will host “Florigami in the Garden,” an installation of monumental metal sculptures inspired by the paper-folding art of origami. These colorful flowers, butterflies, birds, and even grazing deer all celebrate the process of plant pollination. They are the work of Santa Fe, New Mexico artists Kevin and Jennifer Box. 

Word Processing

Like other art forms, speech and writing can convey information and inspire thought and action. Every year, Vero Beach hosts speakers from all over the world to enlighten us in their respective fields: literature, history, politics, economics, and more.

Riverside Theatre’s Distinguished Lecturer Series will welcome four speakers this season: Stanford professor and former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul; Scottish-American historian and author Sir Niall Ferguson; Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary (“Mr. Wonderful”); and former White House press secretary and current governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

For this season’s International Lecture Series, Vero Beach Museum of Art will bring in four speakers presenting talks related to its “American Made” exhibition. Bourbon expert Fred Minnick will discuss American whiskey; CBS correspondent Conor Knighton will share his experiences visiting all of our national parks; Smithsonian historian Ashley Rose Young will explore American food culture; and Norton Museum of Art curator Regina Palm will address highlights from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection. 

The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation continues to promote the literary arts with writing workshops and groups. In January, the foundation will once again welcome a major author for an engaging talk; stay tuned to see who will follow in the footsteps of Carl Hiaasen, Billy Collins, and Dave Barry! The 2026 Poetry & Barbecue event, to be held March 28, will be LRJF’s 15th.

Body Language

Dance can take many forms, using the human body itself to express beauty and meaning. Of course, ballet is the quintessential example of dance as an art form.

Ballet Vero Beach continues to expand its footprint, with multiple performances throughout the year, including its Accessible/Family-Friendly Series as well as collaborations with Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art. Its educational efforts are also growing. In addition to the perennial favorite Nutcracker on the Indian River in December, BVB’s shows will include the trios of Camilo A. Rodriguez, the compositions of David Homan, and much more.