Submitted photoThe Oregon Symphony will start its season with a mix of renowned musicians. Clockwise from left: Brandi Carlile, Béla Fleck, Trey Anastasio and Ben Folds.

The Oregon Symphony is kicking off its 2014-15 season with a bang … literally.

With the help of the Oregon Ballet Theatre and the Portland Opera, the symphony will present a free concert Aug. 28 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland.

Conducted by Carlos Kalmar, the program features music by Wagner, Debussy, Beethoven, Bizet, Dvorák and Copland. Closing the festivities, the symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” — “complete with an elaborate fireworks show and military cannons,” according to its website.

Beginning at 2:30 p.m., the concert also features performances by the 234th Army Band of the Oregon National Guard, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, the Portland Youth Philharmonic and Portland Taiko. The Oregon Symphony portion begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 28. No tickets are required.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Along with the free concert, the Oregon Symphony will start its season with an eclectic mix of legends and renowned solo artists.

September will feature singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile (Sept. 5), Phish founding member Trey Anastasio (Sept. 9), banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck (Sept. 13), pianist/vocalist Ben Folds (Sept. 20) and jazz legend Herbie Hancock (Sept. 21). These concerts take place at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland.

Founded in 1896, the Oregon Symphony is “the oldest orchestra in the West and one of only six major orchestras established in America before 1900,” according to the website.

Tickets for the September concerts range from $25 to $135, depending on the concert and seat location.

For more information, visit www.orsymphony.org or contact 800-228-7343.

— Reporter: 541-383-0350,

jwasson@bendbulletin.com