From sweeping landscapes to deeply human stories, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s 2026–2027 season traces a journey from Horizons to Heroes. This Season of Celebration honors the richness of music shaped in America—by composers born here and those inspired by its spirit.
Across four distinctive programs, we explore vast natural beauty, the power of love and longing, moments of quiet reflection, and the resilience that defines the human experience. With beloved masterworks and compelling contemporary voices, we celebrate our 50th season, looking at where we are, and who we are – together.
Saturday, November, 28 2026
2 and 7 p.m.
Sunday, November, 29 2026
1 and 6 p.m.
Music Director/Conductor: David Commanday
Join us for one of the most beloved holiday productions, The Nutcracker. This show is enhanced with all the emotion and vibrancy that can only be experienced by the addition of a live symphony orchestra.
Sunday, December 13, 2026
2 p.m. Family Matinee and
7 p.m. Full Concert
Guest Conductor: Benjamin Firer
Featuring:
Celebrate the season with music that sparkles, soars, and brings us together. From the brilliance of choral masterworks to the charm of sleigh rides and beloved holiday classics, this festive program blends tradition, nostalgia, and joy.
The 2 p.m. Family Matinee will have a one-hour run time with no intermission. A musical instrument scavenger hunt for curious music lovers of all ages will follow the performance in the lobbies of the Payne & Mencias Palladium.
Repertoire:
February 13, 2027 – 7 p.m.
Music Director/Conductor: David Commanday
An evening of unforgettable melody and passion. Bernstein’s sparkling Candide Overture opens the program, followed by Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2 and Hanson’s sweeping “Romantic” Symphony—music that captures love in its most powerful forms.
Repertoire:
Artwork by Nancy Noël, provided by Noël Studio
March 27, 2027 – 7 p.m.
Music Director/Conductor: David Commanday
Music and visual art come together in a program of reflection and radiance. Antheil and Gould showcase the expressive power of strings, leading into Copland’s Appalachian Spring, paired with a multimedia presentation inspired by the luminous artwork of Nancy Noël.
Repertoire:
April 24, 2027 – 7 p.m.
Music Director/Conductor: David Commanday
Celebrate the music that shaped America’s cultural voice. Gershwin’s vibrant rhythms and beloved songs lead to Bartók’s dazzling Concerto for Orchestra, a thrilling showcase of orchestral virtuosity and heroic spirit.
Repertoire:
