The Owensboro Symphony has announced its 2026-27 season, featuring a five-concert subscription series beginning in October. The series is presented by Owensboro Health.
The upcoming season marks Music Director Troy Quinn’s 10th year with the Symphony and will highlight the orchestra’s range through a mix of traditional works and more contemporary programming.
Quinn said the lineup is designed to connect with a wide audience while showcasing the versatility of the ensemble.
The season opens Oct. 24 with “Halloween Classics,” a themed performance blending orchestral works with cinematic selections from The Witches of Eastwick, Vertigo, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, along with music from The Phantom of the Opera. The program will also feature Richard Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration and a guest appearance by Chad Benefield.
The Symphony’s annual “Home for the Holidays” concert on Dec. 12 will return with vocalist Colin Eaton, a member of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” The performance will also include the Owensboro Symphony Chorus and Youth Orchestra.
“Journey to the New World” on Jan. 30 will feature pianist Janice Carissa performing Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, paired with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.”
Another program, “Orchestra Unleashed” on March 6, will highlight music from stage and screen, including selections from Jaws, Jurassic Park, Ratatouille, and The Jungle Book, along with classical works such as Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra overture and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.
The season will conclude April 10 with “Itzhak Perlman: Cinema Serenade,” featuring the internationally renowned violinist performing music from films such as The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, Doctor Zhivago, and Schindler’s List.
“Each season is an opportunity to tell new stories through music, and this year’s lineup truly reflects the range and spirit of our orchestra,” said Quinn. “From beloved masterworks to music that connects with audiences in new and exciting ways, there is something here for everyone.”
The season will include a variety of performances spanning symphonic repertoire, film scores, and holiday-themed concerts.
In addition to its subscription series, the Symphony will again host several free community events throughout the year.
Summer Salute — “Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown” — is scheduled for June 6 at McConnell Plaza on the Owensboro riverfront. The 40th annual Concert on the Lawn, presented by U.S. Bank, will take place Aug. 22 at Kentucky Wesleyan College. The Symphony Stroll, sponsored by Jagoe Homes, is set for Oct. 2 and offers a more interactive musical experience.
“Our free community concerts are at the heart of what we do,” said Gwyn Payne, CEO. “They bring people together, remove barriers to access, and create shared musical experiences that belong to the entire community.”
Season tickets are now on sale through the Owensboro Symphony’s website or by calling 270-684-0661. A flexible package allowing patrons to select three concerts is available for $185, along with additional ticketing options and benefits for subscribers.
