The Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to announce its 76th concert season, a year of live orchestral music that promises to move, thrill and inspire audiences in Abilene and across the Big Country. Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor David Itkin, the orchestra’s 2026-2027 season delivers a wide-ranging program that reflects a continued commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.
The season’s Masterworks series brings four evenings of celebrated symphonic repertoire to the Abilene Convention Center, featuring works by some of the most towering composers in classical music alongside world-class guest artists. The orchestra’s 76th season opens with its Masterworks opener on September 26th with a performance of one of the most revolutionary classical works ever written – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” – performed alongside the Jenkins Euphonium Concerto featuring David Childs, widely regarded as the world’s foremost euphonium virtuoso. Subsequent Masterworks concerts explore the vivid orchestral colors of Mussorgsky and Stravinsky, the fiery Latin reinvention of Vivaldi through the lens of Piazzolla with violin virtuoso Simon Gollo, and the lyrical beauty of Brahms alongside Barber’s magnificent Violin Concerto performed by Eunice Keem.
The Pops concert series offers three evenings of high-energy and crowd pleasing programming that spans generations and genres. The series highlights include “Generation Rock – The hits of the 70s and 80s,” a celebration of the greatest hits of two iconic musical decades, and “Broadway Goes to the Movies,” a spectacular season finale featuring five sensational vocalists performing show-stopping music from “Wicked,” “A Chorus Line,” “Godspell” and beyond. The Pops season gets underway in true style on December 5th with “A Frank Sinatra Christmas” featuring Steve Lippia – an evening of beloved Christmas classics and signature standards from Ol’ Blue Eyes, bringing sophistication, warmth and pure holiday joy to the Abilene Convention Center.
Perhaps the most anticipated announcement of the season is the return of a cherished Big Country tradition. After a year away, Handel’s “Messiah” is coming home – returning to the Historic Paramount Theatre on December 13th. Featuring soprano Jennifer Youngs, alto Lynette Chambers, tenor Sam Cook, bass Jeffrey Snider and the Abilene Chamber Singers, this beloved holiday performance is one of the most treasured musical experiences in the region, and its return to the Paramount is cause for celebration.
Season subscriptions for the 2026-2027 season are available now, with options including Full Season, Masterworks, Pops and Mix & Match packages with savings of up to 20% off single ticket prices. For those looking to deepen their connection to the orchestra, the Abilene Philharmonic’s membership program offers a range of giving levels with exclusive benefits, from concert seating priority and ticket discounts to invitations to special events throughout the season. Individual tickets go on sale August 3rd. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Abilene Philharmonic Box Office at 325-677-6710, visit AbiPhil.com, or stop by the Philharmonic office at 302 Cypress Street, on the first floor of the Wooten Hotel.
Contributed By The Abilene Philharmonic
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