The Manchester Symphony Orchestra launches its 87th season Oct. 5 with a celebration of daring musical game changers.

“The concert features three composers who boldly reshaped the evolution of music. Jean-Phillipe Rameau, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Claude Debussy broke new musical ground as the most influential composers of their lifetimes,” said Debra Lynn, conductor and artistic director.

“While their works are now perceived as classics, they were certainly controversial when they first debuted. Rameau pioneered music theory as we know it today, Beethoven bridged the Classical and Romantic eras by exploring new forms of musical expression, and Debussy broke tonal boundaries by introducing unfamiliar scales and modes,” Lynn said.

The Manchester Symphony Orchestra brings you Rameau’s “Dardanus Suite,” Debussy’s “Petite Suite” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7” at Manchester University’s Cordier Theater.

Buy concert tickets and livestream access at www.manchestersymphonyorchestra.org. General admission is $20. Those 18 years and younger are admitted free, as are Manchester University students and employees. All concerts are at 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Tim Reed, Manchester University professor of music and music department chair, will perform in the lobby before the concert.

The season includes collaborations with guest artists, area choirs and a world premiere, showcasing familiar masterworks and more esoteric pieces.

“I am delighted to share our music with longtime followers and those who are interested in all forms of live music,” Lynn said. “I hope you'll join us!”

The season continues on Nov. 3 with the "Music of England and Wales" in Ford Theater at the Honeywell Center, featuring guest artist-in-residence Andrew Nesler performing William Mathias's Piano Concerto No. 2.

The March 8 "Invocation" concert features choirs from Manchester University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, local high school choirs, and the Manchester Symphony Chorus performing David Conte's “Elegy for Matthew" and Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Te Deum." It is back in Cordier Auditorium.

On May 3, the MSO soars with "Take Flight!" in Honeywell’s Eagles Theatre, presenting Warren & Flick, Honeywell Arts Academy alumni, performing the world premiere of "The Flock," a concerto for bass and nyckelharpa. Other works on the program include William Bolcom's "Inventing Flight" and the Flying Theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial by John Williams.

North Manchester is one of the smallest communities in the nation with its own symphony orchestra. Residents of Wabash County and what was then Manchester College founded the symphony in 1939. That partnership continues today with a carefully crafted collaboration of professional and community musicians, as well as selected Manchester University faculty, staff, and student musicians.  Learn more at www.manchestersymphonyorchestra.org.