Baltimore Symphony Announces 2026-27 Illuminated Through Sound Immersive Season Marking 110th Anniversary

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra unveiled its 2026-27 season under the branding "Illuminated Through Sound," describing the lineup as an immersive, experience-forward program timed to mark the orchestra’s 110th anniversary and announcing that 2026-27 subscriptions are now available. The season announcement appears in BSO materials dated 02/20/2026 and in an original report dated Feb. 24, 2026; MDTheatreGuide carried the text as an organization-submitted press release.

Programming highlights mix new commissions, large-scale choral works, film-with-orchestra events, and community partnerships. Two world premieres are explicitly listed: Joel Thompson’s To Awaken the Sleeper, an Emmy Award–winning composer’s setting inspired by the words of James Baldwin, scheduled for June 16 and June 18; and Tipping Point by Chinese-born composer Huang Ruo, described as addressing climate change, with Marin Alsop slated to lead the ensemble for that premiere as part of her return appearances on Feb. 17 and Feb. 19.

The season includes community-facing projects such as a modern take on Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale presented with BSO Artistic Partner Wordsmith that will depict the experience of a Black soldier during the Vietnam War on Nov. 6. GospelFest, led by Assistant Conductor Jonathan Rush with the Morgan State and Howard University gospel choirs, is slated for Apr. 27 and Apr. 28. Baltimore Magazine’s reporting notes the season will feature 14 works by BIPOC composers.

Signature concerts and family-friendly spectacles are anchored by The Planets – An HD Odyssey, conducted by Damon Gupton and featuring the Baltimore Choral Arts Society under music director Anthony Blake Clark with projected HD imagery above the stage; performances are Feb. 11 at 7:30 PM at the Meyerhoff, Feb. 12 at 8 PM at Strathmore, and Feb. 13 at 7:30 PM at the Meyerhoff, with program music including Anna Clyne’s Pivot, Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter," and Holst’s The Planets. The Joe Hisaishi program, led by BSO Assistant Conductor Jiannan Cheng, runs Mar. 12 at 8 PM at Strathmore and Mar. 13 at 7:30 PM at the Meyerhoff; program copy notes Hisaishi has composed more than 100 film scores and serves as Composer-in-Residence at The Philadelphia Orchestra. Press materials also list a fusion program titled Tchaikovsky x Drake, described as combining 15 of Drake’s greatest hits.

Classical repertoire dates include Daniele Rustioni conducting Elgar, Tchaikovsky and Strauss with cellist Johannes Moser on Jan. 28 at 7:30 PM at the Meyerhoff, Jan. 29 at 11 AM at the Meyerhoff Coffee Series, and Jan. 31 at 3 PM at Strathmore. The Joe Hisaishi copy markets the program as one that “invites you to experience the full range of his music, from the concert hall to the screen,” and The Planets copy calls the program “a spectacular presentation” with images from modern space exploration projected in HD; the Planets listing also notes it is “Perfect for listeners ages 7+ to discover.”

Institutional context is explicit: Marin Alsop remains Music Director Laureate and founder of OrchKids and will make staged appearances while the BSO enters its second year searching for a new music director to replace Alsop. Baltimore Magazine also reports the orchestra is seeking a replacement for former president Peter Kjome, whose contract expired in January. Box office and subscription details are published with the season materials: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall at 1212 Cathedral Street lists the Meyerhoff Box Office phone as 410.783.8000 with hours Tue-Fri 10 AM-5 PM and Sat noon-5 PM; The Music Center at Strathmore at 5301 Tuckerman Lane lists Strathmore Box Office phone 1.877.276.1444 with hours Mon-Fri 10 AM-5 PM. Group sales are available by phone at 410.783.8170 and by email at Groups@BSOmusic.org.