Summer concerts highlight the brilliance of guest artists, faculty, top students
Jackson, Mississippi — The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Premier Orchestral Institute Music Series, June 9-13, offers a week of performances featuring international faculty, talented young musicians, guest artists, chamber music, tango, and orchestral concerts in Jackson.
MSO’s Premiere Orchestral Institute (POI) marks its 18th year, and the POI Music Series is a cherished bonus of this annual week-long intensive for musicians from around the world. Students, from beginners to accomplished professionals, assemble at Millsaps College to improve their skills, network with fellow musicians and professionals, and take part in the cultural exchange of these highly regarded workshops.
“Premier Orchestral Institute is about creating a space where young musicians can learn directly from artists from around the world while building a new vision for music education in Mississippi,” POI Director Alex Encinas said of this top summer program.
Participants – local, regional and international – come together for orchestral and chamber music training. The summer concerts of the POI Music Series present a showcase of world-class guest artists, faculty and budding professionals to inspire participants and offer the music-loving public a way to join the celebration.
Most concerts are free and held at the Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall at Millsaps College, and one is a ticketed, fundraising event on the rooftop at Capital Towers in downtown Jackson. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
2026 POI Music Series Highlights:
Art of the Encores, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Millsaps. This special faculty concert celebrates the music performers traditionally use to close concerts – from the elegance of Kreisler to the fiery passion of Piazzolla. The evening features violin virtuosity, cello duets, and performances by the Tango Rendezvous Ensemble led by internationally acclaimed Alejandro Drago.
Tangos Under the Stars, 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the Capital Towers Building. Enjoy an unforgettable rooftop tango experience featuring the music of Astor Piazzolla and classic tango composers. The concert combines breathtaking city views with the passion and elegance of tango in an intimate atmosphere. Purchase tickets here.
Echoes & Fire: A Chamber Evening, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Millsaps. This chamber music evening includes a cello quartet performing classical arrangements, selections from Schubert’s String Quintet performed by the POI faculty quintet.
From Bach to Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Millsaps. POI’s Master Camerata Orchestra presents Bach’s Triple Concerto for Three Cellos, the world premiere of Theme and Variations on a Danzante by international composition competition winner Josué Plúa, Britten’s Simple Symphony, and surprise tango encores arranged by Alejandro Drago.
Seeds to Symphony: Grand Finale, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Millsaps. This inspiring concert brings together students from different countries and musical levels, featuring the Young Haydns, Da Capo, and POI Virtuosi orchestras, along with guest soloists and conductors from around the world.
The Premier Orchestra Institute of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and the POI Music Series are made possible through the generous support of the Eddie Hodges Foundation, the Hearin Foundation, private donors, and the Mississippi Arts Commission. Through this support, the program provides local students with world-class musical training, mentorship, and performance opportunities that inspire artistic excellence and open doors for the next generation of musicians across Mississippi.
For more details, visit poimso.com/concerts.
Who: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
What: 2026 Premiere Orchestral Institute Music Series
When: June 9-13, 2026
Where: Millsaps College Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall plus Capital Towers rooftop, Jackson, MS
Website: poimso.com/concerts
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