Columbus Symphony unveils 75th anniversary season for 2026-27

The Columbus Symphony will celebrate its 75th anniversary season, which includes a performance at Carnegie Hall in October.
The 2026-27 Masterworks season includes 12 dates featuring both traditional and contemporary works.
The symphony also offers educational programs, youth ensembles and special ticketed events for students and community groups.

A visit to Carnegie Hall for the first time in 25 years will be the crowning jewel among several gems during the Columbus Symphony’s diamond anniversary.

Music director Rossen Milanov, no stranger to the prestigious venue, said he’s looking forward to seeing the experience through the eyes of musicians who have never played there.

“This place is arguably the best concert hall in the world for our type of music,” he said. “It will be wonderful not only to hear our orchestra in that historic space, but to create the experience for the musicians themselves.”

The orchestra is celebrating the 75-year mark with the unveiling of its 2026-27 Masterworks season. The Carnegie performance, which will take place on Oct. 28, is one of 12 dates spanning both traditional and contemporary symphonic works.

“We are celebrating a lot of things. The city, our patrons, and donors have been absolutely remarkable. There are so many people to thank, including my predecessors,” Milanov said.

“I’m thankful for the morale and commitment of everyone involved in the symphony. I have gratitude and great appreciation for them sustaining it for 75 years.”

Patrons can hear the Carnegie program, “Mysteries, Anthems & Victories,” in advance of the New York trip when the orchestra performs the repertoire on Oct. 23-24 at the Ohio Theatre.

Other highlights will include three team-ups with the Columbus Symphony Chorus on major works: Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem,” Nov. 20-21; Joseph Haydn’s “The Creation,” March 12-13, 2027; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, April 30-May 1, 2027.

All concerts will take place at the Ohio Theatre during the anniversary season, which also includes these programs:

Winter Music Festival: Jan. 15-16, 2027, featuring Shostakovich and Prokofiev
“Vivaldi x Vivaldi”: Jan. 22-23, 2027, Daniel Rowland conducting
Samuel Barber’s “Adagio” and Edward Elgar’s “Enigma”: Feb. 12-13, 2027, Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducting
Gustav Mahler’s Fifth (Symphony No. 5): March 19-20, 2027
Shostakovich and Sibelius: April 2-3, 2027
“Postcards in Music”: April 9-10, 2027

More ways to see the symphony

In addition to the concert lineup, the Columbus Symphony’s season is accompanied by an array of pre- and post-concert events, discounted shows and collaborations with other arts organizations.

Milanov said these offerings will include:

Preludes: Before each concert, a 30-minute, informational talk about the evening’s works or composers will be hosted by the symphony’s artistic team and special guests. “This gives an opportunity for people to become closer to the music and what’s going to be happening that night,” Milanov said.
Friday Coffee Dress: Select programs during the 2026-27 season will offer $18 general-admission tickets (before fees) to Friday morning rehearsals, with free coffee and doughnuts included.
College Club: A $25 student membership program that gives unlimited access to concerts all season, plus networking opportunities, invitations to members-only events, and discounts. “This is a great opportunity for such a big college town as Columbus, with not only OSU, but other nearby universities with strong music programs,” Milanov said.
Symphony Pride: A special group membership opportunity with events after select Masterworks concerts, as well as exclusive events, guest artist interactions and discounts

The 2026-27 season will also see the symphony teaming up with Columbus Museum of Art for “Mozart to Matisse,” a series of afternoon lectures pairing live chamber music with works of art.

“For example, we might play music based on the country of origin of the artist,” Milanov said. “It’s an art history lecture and music that relates to the art.”

Impact beyond the orchestra pit

While celebrating the past, the 2026-27 season will also amplify the symphony’s vision for the future – a future in which orchestral music remains a vital presence in central Ohio.

To that end, the group’s service to the community continues long after the last note has been played. One way the symphony ensures that orchestral music continues to impact cultural and civic life is through its educational programs.

Starting with the youngest audiences, the symphony reaches more than 55,000 students through its Young People’s Concerts, classroom and digital learning programs, in-school performances, and by issuing 2,700 free concert tickets to young people.

Professional-development programs for music educators throughout central Ohio also are offered.

The symphony also oversees several youth ensembles that have introduced hundreds of thousands of their peers to orchestral music over the past seven decades.

The Columbus Youth Symphony Orchestras are four ensembles for students in grades 3-12, with guidance by pro musicians and opportunities to play in major local venues.

Promising young musicians at The Academy receive high-level, intensive training that includes private lessons, mentorship and performance opportunities, as well as financial support for instruments and musical study.

CSO Kids, an online music learning platform for grades K-6, will debut in advance of the 2026-27 school year.

How to go to a show

Season subscriptions for the 2026-27 season are on sale at columbussymphony.com. Single tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. May 4.

Milanov said it will be interesting – and pleasantly surprising – to see if any Columbus Symphony lovers show up for the big concert in the Big Apple.

“It’s an opportunity to organize a lot of our fans and see if we can encourage them to come to Carnegie and be our groupies,” he said, with a laugh.