BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — August 31, 2026
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is beginning its 57th season with a new music director and a schedule that includes American composers, holiday favorites, collaborations with young musicians and a return to one of the largest works the orchestra has performed.
The 2026-27 season, titled “Full Steam Ahead,” will be led by incoming Music Director Michael Patterson, who said he hopes to help musicians develop both individually and as an ensemble.
“The BSO seems like a remarkable group,” Patterson said in a news release. “I want each member of the orchestra to grow musically. I want people to explore the inner, personal side of what they can do with their instrument. I want to see how great the Bloomington Symphony can be.”
The season follows the orchestra’s sold-out May performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
The BSO presented its free “Musical Memories” summer concert Sunday, Aug. 30, at Switchyard Park. The program featured familiar works including Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” and selections from Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”
The orchestra’s next scheduled concert, “We the People,” will take place Nov. 1 and feature works by American composers, including William Grant Still.
The BSO will return Nov. 27 with its annual “Celebrate the Season” performances, featuring music from holiday films, including “Home Alone.”
On March 7, the orchestra will present “Some Assembly Required,” a concert built around individual symphonic movements nominated by audience members and assembled into a full program. The BSO will also perform with the Bridges/MAYO Youth Orchestra and the winner of its 2026 Youth Concerto Competition.
The season will conclude May 16 with “Larger Than Life,” featuring a collaboration with Middle Eastern music ensemble Salaam.
The finale will also include Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, known as the “Titan,” a work the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra last performed in 2012 under conductor Charles Latshaw.
Founded in 1969, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra provides performance opportunities for musicians from Bloomington and surrounding communities while offering orchestral concerts and educational programs for audiences of all ages.
Season tickets are available through the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s website at bloomingtonsymphony.com.