Attention, music lovers in Nashville and Middle Tennessee! The Nashville Symphony has officially announced its 2026-27 classical and family season.

Keepin’ it classy

In his first full season as newly appointed Music Director Leonard Slatkin will conduct 6 of the 14 Classical Series programs, including Mozart’s Symphony No. 39, Brahms’s A German Requiem, Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, among others.

“In my first season as Music Director of the Nashville Symphony, I am most proud of the variety of offerings we are giving the public,” said Music Director Leonard Slatkin. “With several anniversaries to celebrate, focusing in on the individuals of the orchestra, and expanding our reach, this is a very special set of offerings.”

The Classical Series culminates with two profound performances: Guerrero conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 (May 21 & 22, 2027), and Music Director Leonard Slatkin conducting Copland’s Billy the Kid: Ballet in one act and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra (Jun. 11 to 13, 2027).

Plus, homegrown harmonies

In addition to classical music, the Orchestra continues its commitment to champion American music by featuring music by 20 American composers, including Joan Tower’s Made in America, a work that earned the Nashville Symphony its first Grammy Award; Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms; Cindy McTee’s Adagio for String Orchestra; and African Queens for Soprano and Orchestra.

Don’t forget about the family!

The Ann & Monroe Carell Family Trust Family Series returns with four Sunday afternoon programs designed to introduce young listeners to the Orchestra. These concerts promote music and literacy in a fun environment.

How America Found its Sound (Nov. 15) and Heroes and Villains (May 16, 2027) are original compositions by the Symphony.

“Philharmonia Fantastique,” part of the Ann & Monroe Carell Family Trust Family Series.

In The Conductor’s Spellbook (pictured above), audiences learn about the orchestra instruments, the conductor, and the musical magic they create in an interactive concert (Jan. 17, 2027).

Philharmonia Fantastique, with a score by the GRAMMY Award-winning composer Mason Bates, features animation and a story that helps the families of instruments in the orchestra overcome adversity together in the spirit of unity (Apr. 18, 2027).

Take ’em to the movies

The Nashville Symphony’s hugely popular Movie Series returns for five full-length classic and hit movies with the Orchestra performing the scores live-to-film.

Four of the presentations feature iconic scores by the legendary John Williams: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ (Nov. 6 to 8), Jurassic Park (Apr. 2 to 4, 2027), Superman (Apr. 30 to May 2, 2027), and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (May 28 to 30). The Orchestra will also perform The Wizard of Oz, composed by Harold Arlen and adapted by Herbert Stothart with lyrics by Edgar “Yip” Harburg (Feb. 5 to 7, 2027).

Other popular holiday offerings include Elf™ in Concert with the Nashville Symphony (Dec. 2), and the beloved Schermerhorn tradition, Home Alone (Dec. 4 to 6).

More special events

The Orchestra’s annual holiday performances of Handel’s Messiah with the Nashville Symphony Chorus will be led by Nashville Symphony Chorus conductor Tucker Biddlecombe (Dec. 18 to 20).

Biddlecombe returns to the stage for a spring celebration of Bach’s Birthday with a one-night-only concert featuring eight of Bach’s masterworks (Mar. 31, 2027).

Conductor Nathan Aspinall returns to conduct a program of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 2, featuring pianist Inon Barnatan (May 7, 2027).

For more information or to subscribe to the Nashville Symphony 2026-27 season, visit NashvilleSymphony.org/SeasonTickets.