New World Symphony will honor John Williams, the prolific composer behind some of the most iconic film scores of the past half century, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and E.T., at its 37th anniversary gala, The Musical Magic of John Williams, at New World Center on Saturday, February 22, 2025. NWS Artistic Director Stéphane Denève will conduct a program featuring Williams’ greatest film scores, including selections from Superman, Jaws, Hook, Harry Potter and more. Some of the evening’s music will be paired with film montages and sequences.
“John Williams is a modern hero whose wondrous music became the soundtrack of our lives.” said Stéphane Denève. “I am infinitely grateful to him for touching our hearts so deeply and, more privately, for being a role model of an exceptional human being. I treasure our precious friendship, which is deeply meaningful and inspiring to me, and thank him for accepting the invitation to come to Miami as special guest of our 2025 Gala. For our New World Symphony Fellows, meeting him, playing his iconic masterworks and learning from such a kind and generous soul will be an invaluable experience.”
“To be honored by the New World Symphony is deeply meaningful for me,” said Williams. “The NWS Fellows are an extraordinary group of talented musicians and my friendship with Stéphane Denève makes this event even more special. I’ve long felt that the New World Symphony is one of the crown jewels in American musical life, not just for its high artistic standards, but also for its dedication to fostering the next generation of musicians.”
NEW WORLD SYMPHONY
Stéphane Denève, Artistic Director and Conductor
John Williams, Special Guest
PROGRAM
The music of John Williams:
Main Theme from Superman
The Flight to Neverland from Hook
A Child’s Tale from The BFG
Harry’s Wondrous World from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Main Theme from Dracula
One Barrel Chase from Jaws
Adventures on Earth from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial