Charleston Symphony Announces 2026-2027 Season

Charleston Symphony Announces 2026-2027 Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2026

Charleston, SC - The Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) 2026-2027 season invites audiences to experience a year defined by storytelling, artistic ambition, and the commanding sound of the orchestra in full force. The main series lineup features more than thirty performances across the Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and Messiah programs, forming the foundation of a dynamic and expansive season. Additional community events and educational initiatives will be announced at a later date.

Michael Smith, CSO Executive Director, said, “The Charleston Symphony has built extraordinary momentum over the past several years, more than doubling attendance since returning from the pandemic. Today, we are proud to be one of the fastest-growing orchestras in the country?. As we continue to? fill the halls and raise the artistic bar every year, there has never been a more exciting time to experience the CSO. We invite our community to secure their seats and be part of the 2026-2027 season.”

Notable conductors include audience favorites Miguel Harth-Bedoya and Michael Francis, as well as several that will lead the orchestra for the first time: Chelsea Gallo, Ken-David Masur, and Kensho Watanabe. The Charleston Symphony’s Assistant Conductor, Ryo Hasegawa, will make his Masterworks conducting debut.

Guest artists featured throughout the season will include Olga Kern, Drew Petersen, Robert McDuffie, Cheyenne Jackson, and Charleston’s own Ranky Tanky. Zuill Bailey will also continue his role as the CSO’s Artist-in-Residence.

 “Many of this season’s works place the orchestra front and center, through a combination of timeless classical favorites and rarely performed works. Each program is designed around a powerful narrative, from folklore and fantasy to love, spiritual reflection, and revolution,” said Yuriy Bekker, CSO Artistic Director and Concertmaster. “It’s inspiring to present music that challenges us artistically while offering meaningful and accessible entry points for both longtime patrons and first-time listeners.” 

The 2026-2027 season unfolds with major works that have not been heard locally in decades, traditional symphonic “warhorses,” music by living composers, and more. Classical anchors include Stravinsky’s The Firebird, Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf and Romeo & Juliet, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Mahler’s Symphony No. 3; Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony and Missa Solemnis.

A highlight of the season will be the one-night-only performance by the virtuosic pianist Lang Lang, known for selling out concert halls worldwide. Lang Lang will perform Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto with the Charleston Symphony on September 26, 2026, under the baton of Yuriy Bekker. Tickets for this concert will be made available first to subscribers before going on sale to the public.

The orchestra also returns with eight Masterworks and four Pops concerts, all at the Gaillard Center. The Chamber Music Series at the Library Society will feature three programs, and there will be three performances of Handel’s Messiah in three different locations: downtown Charleston, Daniel Island, and Summerville.

Subscriptions are on sale now, and existing subscribers are encouraged to renew their tickets by April 27, 2026. CSO subscribers enjoy special benefits such as 15% or more off the cost of regular individual concert tickets, reserving the best seats all season, and exclusive access to special events and invitations. Tickets for individual concerts will go on sale on August 4. Visit charlestonsymphony.org to learn more. 

?Approved images can be found here: CSO 2026-2027 Season Media

 

MASTERWORKS SERIES

Eight concerts with two nights each, starting at 7:30 p.m. and performed at the Gaillard Center.

Masterworks No. 1: Opening Weekend Celebration
Friday, September 25 & Saturday, September 26, 2026

Artists

Ryo Hasegawa, Conductor
Antonio Martí, Trumpet
Philip Smith, Trumpet

 

Program

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)                           Roman Carnival Overture
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)                           Trumpet Concerto
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)                          Concerto for Two Trumpets
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)                             Symphony No. 2

 

Masterworks No. 2: Firebird and Fairy Tales with Peter and the Wolf
Friday, October 9 & Saturday, October 10, 2026

 

Artists

Vladimir Kulenovic, Conductor
Maria Ioudenitch, Violin
Charleston Symphony Chorus (Nicholas Quardokus, Director)
College of Charleston Concert Choir

Program

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)              Serenade to Music
Pablo de Sarasate (1844–1908)                      Fantasy on Bizet’s “Carmen”
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)                            Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra
Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953)                        Peter and the Wolf
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)                          The Firebird Suite (1919 version)

 

Masterworks No. 3: Concerto for Orchestra - Bartók & Brahms
Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21, 2026

Artists
Kensho Watanabe, Conductor
Yuriy Bekker, Violin
Zuill Bailey, Cello

 

Program

Anna Clyne (1980- )                                      This Midnight Hour
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)                       Double Concerto for Violin and Cello
Béla Bartók (1881-1945)                                Concerto for Orchestra

 

Masterworks No. 4: Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony
Friday, January 8 & Saturday, January 9, 2027

 

Artists
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Robert McDuffie, Violin

 

Program
Jennifer Higdon (1962- )                                 blue cathedral
Philip Glass (1937- )                                       Violin Concerto No. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)               Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”

 

Masterworks No. 5: Olga Kern Plays Rach 2 with Romeo & Juliet
Friday, February 5 & Saturday, February 6, 2027

 

Artists

John Morris Russell, Conductor
Olga Kern, Piano

 

Program

Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920)          “Clouds” (from Roman Sketches)
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943)                 Piano Concerto No. 2
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)                         Suite from Romeo and Juliet

 

Masterworks No. 6: Beethoven Missa Solemnis
Friday, March 12 & Saturday, March 13, 2027

 

Artists

Ken-David Masur, Conductor
Vocalists To Be Announced
Charleston Symphony Chorus (Nicholas Quardokus, Director)
College of Charleston Concert Choir

 

Program

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)               Missa Solemnis

 

Masterworks No. 7: Pictures at an Exhibition
Friday, April 9, 2027 & Saturday, April 10, 2027

 

Artists

Chelsea Gallo, Conductor
Drew Petersen, Piano

 

Program

Jessie Montgomery (1981- )                           Hymn for Everyone
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)                         Piano Concerto No. 3
Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881)                   Pictures at an Exhibition

 

Masterworks No. 8: Mahler 3
Friday, April 23 & Saturday, April 24, 2027

 

Artists

Michael Francis, Conductor
Soloists To Be Announced
Charleston Symphony Women’s Chorus
Palmetto Choral Collective

 

Program

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)                           Symphony No. 3

 

POPS SERIES

Four unique programs curated to entertain and uplift through a variety of musical genres, conducted by Yuriy Bekker.

 

POPS No. 1: The Witching Hour
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center

Yuriy Bekker, Conductor
Morgan James & Hugh Panaro, Vocalists
CSO Chorus 

From the haunting power of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue and the darkness of Mozart and Berlioz, to spellbinding selections from Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, and Psycho, this concert will celebrate music that is mysterious, seductive, and gloriously dramatic.

 

POPS No. 2: Holiday Pops!
Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center

Cheyenne Jackson, Vocals
CSO Chorus & Palmetto Collective

Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson, also known for his recurring roles on NBC’s 30 Rock and Fox's Glee, will headline this year’s holiday spectacular.

 

POPS No. 3: ICONS - The Voices That Changed Music
Thursday, January 21, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center

Capathia Jenkins & Ryan Shaw, Vocalists

From Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson to Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Prince, and more … relive the soundtrack of your life.

 

POPS No. 4: Ranky Tanky
Thursday, March 25, 2027 | 7:30pm | Gaillard Center

Ranky Tanky (Quentin Baxter / Drums and Percussion, Kevin Hamilton / Bass, Quiana Parler / Vocalist, Clay Ross / Guitar and Vocals, Charlton Singleton / Trumpet and Vocals) 

Following a sold-out CSO collaboration in 2020 and the release of their highly anticipated third album, Ranky Tanky will return with unstoppable momentum and music shaped by deep local pride.

 

SPECIAL EVENT

Lang Lang with the CSO
Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center

 

Artists
Yuriy Bekker, Conductor
Lang Lang, Piano

 

Program

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)              Emperor Concerto

 

CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

The Library Society | 7:00 p.m.

Experience the Charleston Symphony’s musicians up close at the historic Library Society, with three thoughtfully curated programs that highlight artistry and exceptional musicianship.

 

Chamber Music 1 with Zuill Bailey

Thursday, October 22 & Saturday, October 24, 2026

Chamber Music 2: Holiday Strings

Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12, 2026

Chamber Music 3 with Zuill Bailey

Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20, 2027

 

HOLY CITY MESSIAH

A celebrated annual holiday tradition performed at three churches throughout Charleston.

 

Downtown
Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. | The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

Daniel Island
Friday, December 4, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. | Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Summerville
Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. | St. Theresa the Little Flower Catholic Church

  

*All artists and programs listed above are subject to change.

 

About the Charleston Symphony

Founded in 1936, the Charleston Symphony (CSO) is one of the largest full-time performing arts organizations in South Carolina and serves the tri-county region through more than 150 performances and events annually. The orchestra presents its Masterworks and Pops series at the Gaillard Center, offers an acclaimed Chamber Music Series, performs throughout the community, and provides a wide range of education and outreach initiatives that engage audiences of all ages.

The CSO is committed to inspiring and uniting its community through the transformative power of live music. Each season showcases world-class guest artists alongside the exceptional musicians of the Charleston Symphony, whose artistry and collective excellence define the organization’s sound and spirit. In February 2025, the CSO marked a historic milestone with its debut performance at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall.

Rooted in 90 years of artistic tradition and community pride, the CSO has entered a period of renewed momentum, guided by core values of excellence, collaboration, integrity, and innovation. The community’s passion for live music is stronger than ever, reflected in a remarkable increase in concert attendance since before the pandemic. 

Serving more than 60,000 adults and children each year, the CSO’s education programs provide meaningful musical experiences for students, teachers, and families across the region. Through performances, in-school initiatives, and community partnerships, the orchestra strives to make music accessible, impactful, and inspiring.

With an annual operating budget exceeding $5 million, ticket sales account for less than half of the Charleston Symphony’s revenue. The organization relies on generous philanthropic support to sustain its artistic and educational programming. In 2025, the CSO successfully surpassed the $15 million goal of its inaugural endowment campaign, Music Matters, strengthening its long-term financial sustainability and artistic future.

For more information, please visit www.charlestonsymphony.org

 

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Media Contact

Alana Morrall
Director of Marketing & Communications
amorrall@charlestonsymphony.org | (202) 246-3302