Orchestra Iowa announces 2026-27 season with masterworks, pops and special shows

Orchestra Iowa has announced its 2026-27 season, marking the organization's 104th year, according to the official announcement. The season includes six Masterworks concerts, four Pops performances, a chamber series, and special productions at venues including the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids and Voxman Concert Hall in Iowa City.

Music Director Timothy Hankewich, in his 20th season with the orchestra, said in a statement: "If you thought we went big for my 20th season, you haven't seen anything yet. We're going to new places, revisiting old favorites and doing some things you won't see just anywhere."

The Masterworks series opens September 19-20, 2026, with works by Copland, Gershwin (featuring pianist Michelle Cann), and Dvořák's "New World Symphony." Other highlights include all five Beethoven piano concertos performed by Stewart Goodyear (November 14-15), Bach's St. Matthew Passion (March 12-14, 2027), and a season finale of Ravel and Holst's "The Planets" (May 8-9, 2027).

The Pops series includes Disney's "Hocus Pocus" in Concert (October 24, 2026), Holiday Spectacular featuring vocalist Blake Shaw and Orchestra Iowa choruses (December 19-20), Disney's "Frozen" in Concert (February 20-21, 2027), and "Icon: The Voices that Changed Music" with guest artists Carpathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw (April 17, 2027).

The Shuttleworth Chamber Series offers four programs: Bachtoberfest (September 25-28, 2026), Holiday Brass (December 10-13, 2026), Half & Half (January 15-17, 2027), and Chamber d'Amore (February 26-28, 2027).

Special productions include Brucemorchestra at Brucemore (August 29, 2026), The Nutcracker with Ballet Quad Cities (December 5, 2026), Cedar Rapids Opera Presents Sweeney Todd (January 22 & 24, 2027), and a mystery summer concert at Veterans Memorial Stadium (June 2027).

Founded in 1923 as the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, the organization has 68 professional musicians. Its first concert was April 13, 1923, at Coe College's Sinclair Auditorium.

Subscription renewal deadlines are: Priority Early Bird Renewal by May 1, 2026, and Save-Your-Seats Renewal by June 12, 2026. Passport to the Orchestra subscription options include Passport Cedar Rapids (all Masterworks, Pops, and Chamber concerts) and Passport Southern Corridor (Masterworks and Chamber concerts in Iowa City/Coralville), both available in 12 monthly installments, according to the ticket page.

The orchestra said in its announcement: "Whether you are a lifelong concertgoer or stepping into the world of symphonic music for the first time, this season has something for you. Orchestra Iowa belongs to everyone, and you are invited to embrace the joy and connection that live music brings to our community."