ANNOUNCING THE 2026-2027 SEASON
Epic Music. Human Stories. One Extraordinary Season.
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This season, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra celebrates the music that stirs the soul and ignites the imagination. From the lush drama of Rachmaninoff and the American spirit of Gershwin and Copland to the fiery elegance of Rodrigo and the cinematic magic of The Lion King, every concert shines a light on the courage, passion, and humanity behind great music.
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Join us for Heroes & Heartbeats, a season of music that inspires, transports, and connects us.
OCTOBER 3
A SYMPHONIC JOURNEY
Lose Yourself in the Passion, Drama, and Power of Rachmaninoff
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Prepare for an unforgettable opening night as the Springfield Symphony Orchestra launches the 2026–27 season in the lavish, emotional world of Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Pianist Norman Krieger takes the stage for Rachmaninoff’s iconic Piano Concerto No. 2, a centerpiece of an evening devoted to the composer’s extraordinary music. The journey continues with selections from Études-Tableaux in Respighi’s vivid orchestration before building to an electrifying conclusion with Rachmaninoff’s final orchestral masterpiece, Symphonic Dances.
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Rich, dramatic, and deeply expressive, A SYMPHONIC JOURNEY sets the stage for an extraordinary season ahead.
NOVEMBER 14
AMERICA AT 250: A STAR-SPANGLED CELEBRATION
A Celebration 250 Years in the Making
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Celebrate the sounds and stories of America as the Springfield Symphony Orchestra marks a historic milestone through music.
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Pianist Jeffrey Biegel joins the SSO for Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue, surrounded by music from Gershwin, Still, Copland, Bernstein, and Randall Thompson. Together, these composers create a sweeping musical tribute to the sounds that helped shape our nation.
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Bold, spirited, and distinctly American, AMERICA AT 250: A STAR-SPANGLED CELEBRATION is an evening created to celebrate our national sound through the power of a live orchestra.
JANUARY 30
UNITED IN MUSIC
Two Orchestras. One Stage. One Unforgettable Celebration.
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There is something special about musicians coming together, and this evening brings two generations of orchestral talent onto one stage.
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The Springfield Youth Orchestra joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra side by side for a vibrant celebration featuring Beethoven and orchestral favorites from Peer Gynt, Carmen, and Tchaikovsky. The evening also welcomes back Dwight Parry as oboe soloist for Jean Françaix’s charming The Flower Clock.
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From beloved orchestral music to the excitement of musicians performing side by side, UNITED IN MUSIC celebrates connection, collaboration, and the joy of making music together.
FEBRUARY 27
SPIRIT UNBOUND
Let the Music Sweep You Away
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Color, rhythm, and brilliance take center stage in an evening led by the unmistakable sound of the Spanish guitar.
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Spanish guitar virtuoso Pablo Sáinz Villegas joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. The program expands with works by Ravel and Beethoven before bringing Stravinsky’s playful and inventive Pulcinella Suite into the mix.
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Elegant one moment and bursting with energy the next, SPIRIT UNBOUND offers an evening of musical contrasts and orchestral color that invites you to simply sit back and let the music take over.
MARCH 20
DISNEY’S MOVIE: THE LION KING
The Movie You Love. The Music Like You’ve Never Heard It Before.
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The big screen meets the power of a live symphony orchestra for a night the entire family can experience together.
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Watch the cinematic magic of Disney’s The Lion King unfold on the big screen while the Springfield Symphony Orchestra performs the score live under the baton of Susie Seiter. The beloved film and live orchestral music come together in one epic experience, bringing another dimension to the story, adventure, and music.
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Whether The Lion King is a longtime favorite or a story you are sharing with a new generation, this is a chance to experience it in an unforgettable way.
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Special 7:00 p.m. start time.
MAY 22
COURAGE, PASSION, AND HUMANITY
One Final Night. One Powerful Finish.
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The 2026–27 season comes to a powerful close with an evening built around musical stories of courage, passion, and humanity.
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Returning Ukrainian pianist Anna Shelest takes the stage for Bortkiewicz’s lush Piano Concerto No. 1, bringing brilliance, passion, and artistry to the season finale. The musical story continues with Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus and Strauss’s monumental tone poem Ein Heldenleben.
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Heroic, passionate, and full of emotion, COURAGE, PASSION, AND HUMANITY brings Heroes & Heartbeats to its finale with music created to stir the soul and leave the season on a powerful final note.
