Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: Jaws In Concert at West Herr Auditorium Theatre

Jaws in Concert : 50th Anniversary!

Yeah, October’s over - and Summer’s long gone! But who said we still can’t have a little bit of summer nostalgia as we celebrate FIFTY years since JAWS came out. Yep - can you believe it?! The movie, set in the New England beach town that made waves right when it first came out - get ready to get splashed right here at West Herr on Friday, November 7th. And even MORE special - the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will be taking the stage too for the one night only show to bring Steven Spielberg’s legendary Jaws back to life in a way you’ve never seen—or heard—before. The film will play in full on the big screen while the RPO performs John Williams’s breathtaking score live, surrounding the entire theater with every pulse-pounding note. If you’ve never seen Jaws before, buckle up—this is the movie that made entire generations too scared to go in the water.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the gems of upstate New York’s arts scene. Founded in 1922, the RPO has spent over a century calling the city home, playing everything from classical masterpieces to groundbreaking collaborations that push the boundaries of what a symphony can be. They’ve toured nationally, recorded extensively, and performed with some of the greatest soloists in the world. This is not just a group of musicians—it’s a living, breathing legacy of sound that has carried Rochester’s cultural heartbeat for more than 100 years. And now, that same orchestra is about to unleash Williams’s Jaws score in full force, matching every scene, every scream, and every shark attack with live symphonic power.

And now - let’s talk about John Williams y’all. The man doesn’t just write music — he creates soundtracks for our memories. His career has spanned over seventy years, with credits including Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars. But there’s something about Jaws that’s different. That two-note theme—da-dum, da-dum—might just be the most recognizable piece of film music ever written. It’s terrifying in its simplicity, iconic in its delivery, and when you hear it rumbling live from the RPO’s strings and brass, you’ll feel it in your bones.

So here it is, Rochester: the shark is coming, and the only way to survive is to get your tickets now. Making this night a heart-pounding, once-in-a-lifetime collision of cinema and symphony. Grab your friends, hold on to your seats, and don’t be surprised if you hesitate before your next dip in Lake Ontario. We’ll see you on November 7th — but remember, it’s not safe to go alone…