The Tucson Symphony Orchestra is getting ready for a busy 2026-27 season with a combination of classical music, popular guest artists, and familiar crowd-pleasers on stages in Tucson. The season runs from September 2026 through April 2027. The orchestra is led by
Music Director José Luis Gómez, who is marking his 10th year with the orchestra. The season begins with Opening Weekend on September 25 and 27, 2026, at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. The orchestra opens its 2026-27 season with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with TSO Artist-in-Residence Amaryn Olmeda. October also brings the orchestra’s new Fiesta Latina series, which begins with Latin Sizzle on October 23 and 25. Latin Sizzle features music from Latin American countries and features guest artists Alexis Cárdenas, Jorge Glem, and Elvis Martínez.
The highlight of the season arrives next February when the Tucson Symphony welcomes the popular violinist Joshua Bell. Bell appears on the TSO stages on February 17, 2027, in a special subscriber event when he performs Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Bell’s appearance is his first in more than a decade with the Tucson Symphony and is expected to be one of the season’s most talked about performances.
In addition, other seasonal traditions will be repeated, including Handel's "Messiah" on December 19 and 20, 2026, which is a holiday tradition for many Tucson audiences. Later in the season, Brahms' Requiem will be performed on February 26 and 28, 2027, followed by Rachmaninoff's "Paganini Rhapsody" on March 19 and 21, 2027, with pianist Michael Davidman.
In addition to classical music performances, the Live @ The Ronstadt series will bring popular classical music programs to the stage with its new principal pops conductor, Evan Roider. Performances will include "Howdy Tucson! Music of the American West" on November 21, 2026; "The Music of Hans Zimmer" on January 30 and 31, 2027; and "Star Wars & Close Encounters at 50: A Salute to John Williams" on April 24 and 25, 2027.
With its range of performances from small-scale concerts to large-scale classical music programs, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra's 2026-2027 season will be of interest to fans of classical music and newcomers alike.