Mission to bring people together through music shines with exceptional artistry
Jackson, Mississippi — The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra announces A Season of Excellence — an ambitious year of extraordinary music and a commitment to keep live orchestral music strong, accessible and thriving in Mississippi – building on past generations and welcoming new audiences to celebrate the remarkable talent that inspires and contributes to the health, economy and rich cultural future of our state.
Across three distinct concert series, MSO’s 82nd season moves from majestic, grand performances to intimate candlelit concerts, enduring favorites to cutting-edge new works, and classical beauty to high-tech fun — all brought to life by the artistry and energy of a live orchestra.
MSO’s Masterworks Series returns to Thalia Mara Hall for five concerts that infuse beloved classics with the immediacy they deserve. Under the baton of Maestro Crafton Beck, works by Brahms, Bruckner, Beethoven, Bernstein, Chopin, Schuman, Saint-Saëns, Mussorgsky and more will ignite the timeless emotions and rich artistry for today’s audience.
“These works have survived for generations because they speak to us,” Reihle said. “The heart of these brilliant classical works is truly timeless. They endure because they speak to and inspire the human spirit. Classical music lives and must be heard, performed, shared and rediscovered by every generation.”
Internationally acclaimed French harpist and audience favorite Emmanuel Ceysson returns to the MSO stage, joining Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez and brilliant young American violinist and recent Royal Academy of Music graduate Basil Alter in a Masterworks series that pairs exceptional guest artistry with the full range and power of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra musicians.
In a highly anticipated first for Mississippi, MSO’s Pops Series brings Video Games LIVE to Thalia Mara Hall. Big-screen multimedia effects with synchronized video and lighting amplify the symphonic experience in a program created for kids, teens, gamers and families — offering a first connection with live orchestral music for some and a refreshing thrill for longtime concertgoers.
“For a child or teenager whose first connection to an orchestra comes through a video game, that experience is every bit as real as someone discovering Beethoven for the first time,” Reihle said. “It does not matter whether their introduction is Beethoven or Halo. What matters is that the connection begins. That is how we build the audience of the future.”
MSO’s Chamber Series brings listeners closer to the music in five concerts that fill area chapels and intimate spaces with timeless treasures and compelling recent works. Mozart, Bach, Brahms and Vivaldi share the season with music rooted closer to home, including Margaret Walker’s poetry set to music and Copland’s beloved Appalachian Spring.
“A symphony orchestra should belong to its community,” Reihle said. “We cannot expect everyone to discover us in the same place or in the same way. We have to meet people where they are, open doors and give them opportunities to experience extraordinary live music as part of their own community.”
The generational patriotic favorite, Pepsi Pops will return to the shore of the Ross Barnett Reservoir, while open-air symphonic performances throughout the metro area will bring the orchestra into relaxed, family-friendly settings. The Special Edition Concert Fearless Fusion returns MSO to Duling Hall for a second year, pairing the venue’s energy with inventive 21st-century works and offering another way to experience orchestra up close.
Together, these performances reflect the larger purpose behind the Season of Excellence — keep celebrating phenomenal music, create meaningful connections, invite new audiences into the experience and ensure that a live orchestra remains a vibrant part of Mississippi’s future.
“An orchestra is not an ornament to a healthy community,” Reihle said. “It is part of what helps make a community healthy—culturally, socially and economically. It shows that a community is vibrant, and strong, not only for today but for generations ahead.”
Current patrons and season ticket holders receive exclusive first access to seats for the 2026–2027 Season of Excellence. To renew, secure season access or learn more about becoming a season ticket holder, contact MSO Patron Services at 601-414-6005 or patronservices@msorchestra.com. Additional public ticket information will be announced soon.
MSO is supported in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Who: Mississippi Symphony Orchestra
What: 2026-2027 Season of Excellence; exclusive first access for current patrons and season ticket holders
When: Patron access available now; additional ticket information coming soon
Where: MSO Patron Services: patronservices@msorchestra.com or 601-414-6005
Website: msorchestra.com
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