Ines R.

Wall cast aficionado here. Grab a picnic and a blanket. It's one of the best free events Miami has to offer. Amazing and so fun.

Dave C.

The NWS is a renowned orchestral academy located in Miami Beach, Florida. Founded by Michael Tilson Thomas, the New World Symphony serves as a training ground for young musicians transitioning from academia to professional careers in classical music. They perform a diverse repertoire and often hold concerts and events at their stunning campus designed by Frank Gehry. The performances and educational programs make it a prominent cultural institution in Miami Beach. NWS has home at The New World Center. The NWC is an innovative concert hall that was designed by architect Frank Gehry. This iconic building serves as a state-of-the-art venue for performances, educational programs, and events. The center features cutting-edge technology, including a stunning projection wall on the exterior known as the SoundScape Park, which broadcasts live concerts and events for the public to enjoy. With its striking architecture and dedication to musical excellence, the New World Center stands as a hub for musical education and cultural experiences in Miami Beach.

Betsy S.

This is one of my favorite places to go to and listen to the symphony! The Frank Gehry building is absolutely exquisite. I loved it. They also do wall casts outisde on specific nights and you can bring a blanket and have a picnic. One day I'll do that! They have a gorgeous sound garden for this so you can experience the inside on the outside! I just wish it was closer to home since I live in Palm Beach County I have to leave plenty of time to get down there! It is such a beautiful venue - so comfortable, so modern and so warm! I love that they tell stories now to introduce the various fellows and thank the donors! It makes it so personable. You can sit anywhere in the theatre and have a fabulous seat. They have drinks on the first and the 2nd floor too, if you desire. But note- you can only bring water in to the theatre! I have a sister who is a professional violinist in the DC area so I appreciate classical music so much. I also appreciate newer types of music and am always open to hearing something else. This is truly a gem!! I love it!

Neil C.

Recently came to the New World Symphony in South Beach with my friend Marilu F. This was part of my birthday gift to her. She's been such a great friend to me and it feels like we've known each other longer than we actually have. Luckily, the stars aligned and this symphony coincided around the same time as her actual birth date. We came to watch Ehnes plays Mozart with Xian Chang as conductor and James Ehnes as violinist. I wanted to make sure this would be an enjoyable one so I looked up one of their past performances and the sounds were excellent and mostly violin-oriented which I personally prefer. Marilu mentioned that this was her first ever symphony. We had a nice and relaxing time and pondered questions such as how important the role of a conductor really is to a symphony. Very important it turns out. And if you're ever wondering how bad a symphony can be without a conductor, just check out one of Marilu's videos on her review. Conductor Xian Chang was excellent by the way. She brought as much energy as she could muster. James Ehnes, on the other hand, is a very established violinist and he proved it with his solo masterpiece that no other violinist could match. This venue is very small, but in a good way. Almost every seat gets you a close, intimate view of the performance. As for parking, there is a large parking garage nearby with reasonable rates. Every once in a while, New World Symphony will offer a great deal on a Groupon.

Marilu F.

You know those things you didn't even realize were part of your bucket list until you actually did them? Well, this was one of those things! For my birthday, one of my best friends, my dear Neil C., surprised me with tickets to the New World Symphony. It was amazing. The seats were pretty close up for the show, which was Ehnes Plays Mozart with Xian Chang as conductor and James Ehnes on the violin. Watching this performance live was nothing short of stunning. The passion radiating from the room was just beautiful, and if not that, the faces on the conductor alone. Ms. Chang quite literally came alive with every movement. The array of sounds that she managed to weave together was nothing short of astounding. Prior to this, I listened to classical music, yes, but I had never seen a live performance. This is exactly what I needed in my life and I had no idea. And if by chance, you are like Neil and I, know the conductor may be the most important part. Listening to them during intermission proved why.

Joe D.

Always a VERY nice experience at NWS, and the building is drop-dead beautiful, designed by Frank Gehry. On busy nights they even project the show on the side of the building and if not scorchingly hot outside, people bring picnic dinners and blankets for the lawn out front. The outdoor speaker system is phenomenal! The big trellises of bougainvillea hide the equivalent of large Bose outdoor speakers. There also are overhead speakers that look like high-style tubes from Bang & Olufsen. The whole effect is terrific sound almost like you are center seat in row 3. Also, I love the whole mission of this group: training orchestral musicians for other symphonies around the world. Aside from some VERY talented young musicians, you can often catch the already-famous in the intimate modern theater. The acoustics inside are superb.

Andy V.

Finally, after way too long. I've finally been able to attend an event at the New World Symphony, and I was blown away. For many year, off and on, I've attended their movies in the park event, which I've loved and recommend if you're in the area. It's a great date night as well as just a really cool way to experience a movie that you probably love. But I just got to go inside for the first time and my first impression was, "wow, this place is absolutely beautiful". The interior is elegant with a hint of Miami flavor without making itself too over the top. The lobby is beautifully decorated and those blue lights that even trickle into the auditorium make for great ambiance as well as selfie lighting. The set up of the auditorium was perfect. Was there a bad seat in the house? Absolutely not. The seats were comfortable. The views were perfect. It was just an amazing experience to sit there and take in the wonderful sounds of the symphony playing. I've noticed that ticket prices definitely vary from event to event. This event was a free community event, however, I've seen tickets for $15 and I've seen tickets for $110 listed on their web site so it really does depend on who and what you're going to be seeing. Keep an eye on their calendar and at least try to go once. It's a beautiful cultural experience, something that sometimes living in South Florida is difficult to find. And plus, it's a great place to get a break from the heat of South Beach.

Tim S.

A great experience. I ended up attending a fantastic event at New World Symphony, and barely new the significance of the place. The other day, I got word of a orchestra in Miami that was going to be playing Beethoven's 2nd. Not as popular as his 5th or 9th, his 2nd is a favorite of mine. I hadn't heard of the location before though. I checked images on line though and it was an incredible looking space. Then I found out what a great price it was, including the student discount and I had to get tickets. My daughter was going to be in town that weekend so I was sure to get tix for us both. we dressed up and showed up for the show that weekend. The building was amazing. Very modern outside, and inside the space was acoustically sound, and a small space. We got seats behind the hard and piano(back and to the left). from the 1st row there, it felt like we were almost part of the orchestra. As the arrangement began, the music swelled and filled up the entire chamber. It could not have been better. We saw a great show, that had a couple solos thrown in as well. Since then I have raved about it. The amazing sound and the great price. I'm sure we will be back very soon.

Sergio F.

Wow! Start with the terrace outside: a modern version of a palace garden. On said garden your eyes can be delighted by the wallcasts - outdoor display of movies, abstract art and symphony performances. Walking in, you're treated to the Eye-Gasm that a Gehry designed building is: futuristic curves, clean white lines and a lot of technology. For example, even the "posters" advertising future shows are LCD moving displays. Excellent acoustics and comfortable chairs. I stopped by with a friend for the $2.50 mini concerts she found out about. I'll confess: Im not a fan of classical music. I'm the one cracking up that the conductor looks like he's having spasms or that playing the violin looks like they're grinding flies (seem to think that was from a Bugs Bunny episode when I was little ;) Then there's the ADD of sitting cellphone less for an extended amount of time.. That's why last night's mini-concert was perfect. It lasted a little over 30 minutes, and the conductor gave a mini history lesson on the background of the piece and the intent of the composer. Finally it was pleasant seeing how each of the movements of the conductor have a logic to them, and enjoying the beautiful (I'll admit it) harmony of such diverse instruments and artistic talent!

L.C. R.

From the Frank Gehry designed building to the world class musicians, conductors and special guests to the best free events (Wallcasts) all wrapped up in a beautiful bow (Lincoln Road), the New World Symphony and the New World Center are a must whether you live in or are visiting Miami. The FREE late fall/early winter Wallcasts under the balmy and breezy Miami sky are perfect whether you're on a date or with the kids.

Ian T.

When reviewing the New World Symphony, what are you evaluating? The mission of the excellent orchestral academy whose alumni have gone on to perform in prominent symphonic orchestras worldwide? Or perhaps it's the excellent New World Symphony Orchestra who perform regularly. Maybe we're talking about their various programs and shows held on campus. It could also be the modern, slick performing arts center that crowns the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall in Miami Beach. The answer is: yes. Of course, New World Symphony is all these things -- and that's one of the reasons New World is so special. Not only is it's academy a great boon to Miami's young but growing cultural scene, but the center itself is an attractive facility near a multitude of dining options for a bite before and after the show. The New World Center venue is a gorgeous piece of architecture designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry (who has also famously designed such prominent structures as the Guggenheim Bilbao, Disney Music Hall in Los Angeles and the Experience Music Project in Seattle). I have heard that there were some acoustic issues inside, but I haven't heard any artifacts or issues at performances we've attended. The performance hall is not huge, and features a peninsula stage surrounded by the audience, and so has a great, intimate feel. The programming we've attended at the center has been universally excellent. These have included: Jazz performances featured in the Miami Beach Jazz Festival, Wallcasts (multimedia orchestral music programs viewable on the lawn and projected on their walls in rich surround sound), and unique Symphonic educational programming (wherein they play selections from various pieces while interspersing it with lectures on the art and it's historical context to help with the appreciation). Overall, I'd say if you have an interest in the arts, it's well worth a visit -- and doing so supports the growth of the cultural development of Miami.

Brian R.

What a wonderful, weird, intimate place to listen to great music. Like the classic academies of the Old World, New World is a top music school and an amazing place to discover classical music where you sit close. They have simulcast out to the park/lawn and on to the web, so, if you're not close, you can still be there! The weird part is the venue's construction. Wonderfully acoustic, the seating design kind of lists to one side of the Hall. Everything is kind of asymmetrical. The music though, especially with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas in the House, is truly special! Don't like classical? Show up here a few times and you will change your mind.

Brian S.

As a Miami Beach native, I want to thank the City and the NWS for bringing something as enriching and special as the new symphony hall to Miami Beach. What a quality and wondrous addition to our community. THANK YOU! As a local, I have been going to the old symphony for many years. The tickets were cheap and the performances were AMAZING. Then, out of nowhere, they decided to build this temple devoted to symphony music AND they got Frank Gehry to design the place! Needless to say, the new building is a masterpiece! The combination of music and architecture make for an outstanding experience. Inside, you will find perfect acoustics (at least to my lay ears) and comfortable seating for all. On the outside, the building sports a beautiful lawn, decorated with metallic sculptures, where people can sprawl out on blankets and listen to live performances as they take place inside. In fact, there is a giant projector that illuminates the huge outer wall of the symphony with a live video feed from the inside. VERY COOL! Most of all, the music is amazing. The students at NWS are GREAT performers and are EXTEMELY talented. You can tell they work hard and are very passionate about what they do. I will be honest... I am totally jealous and wish I had just an inkling of their talent. Speaking of passion... I could not write this review without mentioning the lovely Ms. Bernstein. She is the narrator who educates the audience about the music they are listening to. Sometimes I think she talks a little too much, but it is very endearing because her passion for music is obvious and it is something you feel as you listen to her. For those that don't know, she is also the daughter of the great Leonard Bernstein... need I say more? Thank you Ms. Bernstein for sharing your passion with us... your input adds the element of knowledge to the already enjoyable auditory experience. Besides, who thought it was even possible to add more passion to symphony music? I HIGHLY recommend anyone within a 50 mile radius of Miami Beach who isn't hearing impaired to get themselves to the new symphony hall and enjoy a few performances. Even if you don't like classical music, I would be shocked to hear you didn't absolutely love the experience of seeing NWS students perform it live in their new hall. Tickets are very affordable and there are a multitude of restaurants located around the corner on Lincoln Road. You can't go wrong. Thanks again NWS! Keep up the A+ work!!