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North State Symphony Season – Unbound

North State Symphony Season – Unbound2026-07-22T14:08:25-07:00

North State Symphony Season – Unbound
Presented by North State Symphony

The North State Symphony’s 2026–2027 season, UNBOUND, celebrates music that moves beyond boundaries—of genre, geography, and tradition. From the vibrant voices of American composers to bold reinventions of beloved classics, each program explores the ways orchestral music continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its roots. The season opens with The American Spectrum, a dynamic journey through the diverse sounds of the United States and a nod to how far American music has come over 250 years. Carmen Reimagined brings new color and rhythm to familiar melodies through the fiery world of tango and a striking orchestral retelling of Bizet’s opera. Out of the Shadow returns to the monumental power of the symphonic tradition and uses the power of storytelling to unveil the depth of the First Symphony of Johannes Brahms.  Topping it all off is the cosmic brilliance of Holst’s The Planets. Together, these concerts invite audiences to experience orchestral music that is expansive, imaginative, and truly unbound.

Masterworks Performances:
American Spectrum – October 18, 2026 | 2PM
Open the season with a concert full of energy, invention and unmistakably American sound. Guest saxophonist Mark Zaleski joins the orchestra for a program that moves from Joan Tower’s bold Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman to the jazz-infused richness of Duke Ellington and the driving force of Mason Bates’ Alternative Energy. The evening ends with Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a lively, stylish favorite that’s full of character.
Behind the Curtain: Pre-Concert Talk @1 p.m. 
Free to All Ticket Holders
Join us one hour before the performance for a behind-the-music talk with Maestro Scott Seaton, guest artists and symphony musicians. Hear the stories behind the program, what to listen for, and insights that bring the performance to life.
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Carmen Reimagined – November 14, 2026 | 7:30PM
Tango, drama and a little danger — this program brings a fresh edge to the symphony experience. Internationally acclaimed accordionist Hanzhi Wang joins the orchestra for Piazzolla’s Aconcagua Concerto, a work full of intensity and flair. The concert closes with Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite, a bold reimagining of Bizet’s famous opera that turns its familiar melodies into something leaner, sharper, and impossible to ignore.
Behind the Curtain: Pre-Concert Talk @6:30 p.m. 
Free to All Ticket Holders
Join us one hour before the performance for a behind-the-music talk with Maestro Scott Seaton, guest artists and symphony musicians. Hear the stories behind the program, what to listen for, and insights that bring the performance to life.
Out of the Shadow: Brahms’ First Symphony – February 21, 2027 | 2PM 
More than a concert, this is a live theatrical experience built around one of the most powerful symphonies ever written. In collaboration with Legacy Stage, North State Symphony brings Brahms’ creative struggle to life, tracing the pressure he faced in the shadow of Beethoven before arriving at his long-awaited first symphony. The result is an evening that gives this monumental work even more emotional weight and impact.
Behind the Curtain: Pre-Concert Talk @1:00 p.m. 
Free to All Ticket Holders
Join us one hour before the performance for a behind-the-music talk with Maestro Scott Seaton, guest artists and symphony musicians. Hear the stories behind the program, what to listen for, and insights that bring the performance to life.
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The Planets – April 3, 2027 | 7:30PM
End the season with one of the most thrilling spectacles in orchestral music. Young Artist Audition Winner Sasha Iwabuchi Fomin is featured in Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3, and regional ensembles join the orchestra for Holst’s Homeland before the full force of The Planets takes over. From the ominous drive of “Mars” to the haunting stillness of “Neptune,” this is a finale designed to be felt as much as heard.
Behind the Curtain: Pre-Concert Talk @6:30 p.m. 
Free to All Ticket Holders
Join us one hour before the performance for a behind-the-music talk with Maestro Scott Seaton, guest artists and symphony musicians. Hear the stories behind the program, what to listen for, and insights that bring the performance to life.

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All Performances
Sunday, October 18th 2026 - 2:00 PM | Cascade Theatre
Saturday, November 14th 2026 - 7:30 PM | Cascade Theatre
Sunday, February 14th 2027 - 2:00 PM | Cascade Theatre
Saturday, April 3rd 2027 - 7:30 PM | Cascade Theatre

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