Jason Tonioli’s Orchestral Leap with the Syracuse Utah Symphony
March 23, 2026 | World Premier of 11+ Songs wit a full Symphony Orchestra
Syracuse, Utah — February 23, 2026
What began as a request to be a guest artist and perform a few songs has grown into one of the most ambitious creative chapters of Jason Tonioli’s career.
On March 23, Tonioli will take the stage as Guest Artist with the Syracuse Utah Symphony, premiering 11 brand-new orchestral works — many written within the past six weeks — in a one-night-only concert that marks a significant artistic leap.
“I originally thought I’d contribute a few pieces,” Tonioli said. “But once I started writing, the ideas just kept coming. Every week I was bringing new music into rehearsal.”
After being invited by the Syracuse Arts Council in December, Tonioli reached out to longtime friends and mentors — including Kurt Bestor, known for working with Andrea Bocelli and Hauser and composer Chuck Myers, known for his work on Hogwarts Legacy, many Disney projects. Their early encouragement helped spark the first few orchestral arrangements.
But soon, Tonioli found himself composing at a rapid pace.
“After three or four pieces, I realized I could do this. So I just kept writing. It’s been fast and furious — writing, revising, rehearsing — and hearing it come to life with more than 50 musicians in the room.”
Cinematic Scope and Emotional Depth
Several of the new works lean into sweeping, film-inspired orchestration.
One piece, “Flying,” channels the grand symphonic tradition of John Williams and James Horner, utilizing the full orchestra in a soaring, cinematic experience.
Another, “A Mother’s Lament,” explores grief through the imagined perspective of a mother mourning a fallen son. The piece carries what Tonioli describes as “a little bit of Godfather meets Fiddler on the Roof” — dramatic, intimate, and hauntingly lyrical.
“It almost made me cry the first time we played it,” he said. “If I were scoring a scene about loss and longing, this is what it would sound like.”
The program also includes a full orchestral arrangement of the traditional Scottish tune “O Waly Waly,” widely known in hymnody as “Thy Gracious God, Mercy Lands,” alongside an emotionally significant orchestration of “Amazing Grace,” written shortly after the passing of Tonioli’s father and titled “Hero’s Tribute.”
“That one is deeply personal,” Tonioli said. “It was written during a tender time in my life.”
From Piano to Podium
Known for his solo piano recordings — often described by listeners as healing and reflective — Tonioli says this performance represents creative growth beyond what he believed he was capable of.
“This has stretched me in ways I didn’t know were possible,” he said. “A lot of people go to school for years to study film scoring and maybe get a few sessions with an orchestra. I’ve had the chance to rehearse week after week — learning how the brass balances with the strings, how woodwinds weave into the melody. It’s been like an accelerated masterclass.”
In addition to performing piano on most of the works, Tonioli will also conduct portions of the concert — marking his first time conducting a symphony orchestra. The majority of the program will be conducted by Tim Koster.
Featured violinist John Knudson will also perform. Knudson has performed for the past five Presidents of the United States and gave a special duo performance at the Obama Inaugural Ball, playing alongside Billy Joel during “Piano Man” and other selections. He has collaborated with Tonioli on numerous recording projects and will serve as a featured soloist for portions of the program.
A Message Beyond Music
For Tonioli, the experience has revealed something deeper than orchestration.
“I’ve been struck by how every instrument matters,” he said. “Without the oboe, without the French horn, without the bassoon — something is missing. And it’s the same in life. Every person has a place. Every voice matters. When we recognize that, we create something bigger than ourselves.”
If he had to describe the evening in a sentence:
“Finding peace and healing,” he said. “I hope people leave feeling touched in a way that doesn’t always happen at a concert.”
Event Details
Guest Artist Concert Series – Jason Tonioli with the Syracuse Utah Symphony
March 23, 2026
Tickets: https://www.syracuseutaharts.org/event/guest-artist-concert-series-jason-tonioli/
Syracuse Arts Council