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Pittsburgh Symphony Announces 2026 Summer with the Symphony

 

Programming includes Cinematic Soundtrack Festival with Disney’s Fantasia, Danny Elfman, and other movie music 
 
Fiddlesticks In Your Neighborhood and Americana Concert also announced 

Recently the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announced 2026 Summer with the Symphony programming, featuring a Cinematic Soundtrack FestivalFiddlesticks in Your Neighborhood, and the Symphony’s annual, free Americana Concert at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. These programs join an existing lineup of summer programming by the Symphony, including its America250 Festival June 12-21 (featuring all American music like Copland’s Lincoln Portrait and Appalachian Spring with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre), and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers June 26-28. Together, the Symphony’s summer programming combines free community performances, family-friendly experiences, and large-scale cinematic concerts at Heinz Hall. Further PSO summer programming, including free outdoor concerts, programs at Arts Landing, and headline artists are still to be announced. Tickets are on pre-sale to Symphony subscribers now, and go on sale to the public Friday, February 6. 
 
“Summer is a time to experience the Pittsburgh Symphony in new and welcoming ways, whether you're sharing our free Americana Concert with friends and family, introducing young listeners to orchestral music through Fiddlesticks, or immersing yourself in the unforgettable soundtracks that have shaped our collective moviegoing memories,” said Melia Tourangeau, President & CEO of the PSO. “This summer’s programming reflects our commitment to meeting audiences where they are, celebrating the power of great music, and bringing extraordinary artistic experiences to communities across our region.” 
 
The Cinematic Soundtrack Festival in July is comprised of concerts highlighting music in film, including performances of Disney’s Fantasia, a concert featuring composer Danny Elfman and his music, and the return of last summer’s popular Mad About the Movies. Additional programming will be announced later.  
 
 
Full Summer Chronological Listing 
_______________________________________________ 
 
June 12 | Fri 7:30 PM 
June 14 | Sun 2:30 PM 
Heinz Hall 
 
Manfred Honeck, conductor 
Matthias Goerne, baritone 
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh 
 
Joan Tower: Tambor 
John Adams: The Wound-Dresser 
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms 
Copland: Lincoln Portrait 
_______________________________________________ 
 
June 19 | Fri 7:30 PM 
June 20 | Sat 7:30 PM 
June 21 | Sun 2:30 PM 
Heinz Hall 
 
Manfred Honeck, conductor 
Augustin Hadelich, violin 
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre 
 
Michael Daugherty: Dancing in the Streets (World Premiere and PSO Commission) 
Barber: Violin Concerto 
Jessie Montgomery: Strum 
Copland: Suite from Appalachian Spring (with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre) 
_______________________________________________ 
 
June 26 | Fri 7:00 PM 
June 27 | Sat 7:00 PM 
June 28 | Sun 2:30 PM 
Heinz Hall
_______________________________________________ 
 
July 2 | Thu 7:00 PM 
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum 
 
Join the Pittsburgh Symphony for its annual Americana Concert, an evening of patriotic music featuring beloved American classics. The program opens with the Star-Spangled Banner and continues with Morton Gould’s American Salute, John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan, and Aaron Copland’s John Henry and Lincoln Portrait, alongside familiar anthems and marches including America the Beautiful, an Armed Forces Salute, and Tchaikovsky’s thrilling 1812 Overture.  
 
Performed in Oakland at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, this free concert is open to the public, though registration is required. The evening is led by Associate Conductor Jacob Joyce and features vocalist Katy Williams, honoring our military personnel and veterans through the music. 
 
Jacob Joyce, conductor 
Katy Williams, vocalist 
_______________________________________________ 
 
 
July 10 | Fri 7:00 PM 
July 11 | Sat 3:30 PM 
Heinz Hall 
 
Jacob Joyce, conductor 
 
Fantasia in Concert, featuring highlights from two of Disney’s most extraordinary and groundbreaking animated feature films “Fantasia” (1940) and its sequel “Fantasia 2000,” shown on the big screen and the score performed live by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, is not to be missed. Blending animated imagery with classical music, the concert will ignite the imaginations of a new generation. Scored to some of the world’s most memorable classical compositions, Fantasia has provided four generations of children with their first introduction to the glorious sounds of the orchestra’s strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.   
 
July 16 | Thu 7:30PM 
 
Jacob Joyce, conductor 
 
Grab your popcorn for a night of unforgettable cinematic music, performed live by the Pittsburgh Symphony with no screen required. As part of the Cinematic Soundtrack Festival, the orchestra brings the magic of the movies to life through thrilling adventures, fantastical worlds, and haunting classics. This concert features iconic scores from The ShiningApocalypse NowDeath in VeniceStar WarsA Clockwork OrangeThere Will Be BloodIndiana Jones, and more, offering a program that will delight movie lovers of all ages. 
 
July 18 | Sat 7:30 PM 
July 19 | Sun 2:30 PM 
 
Danny Elfman 
Sandy Cameron, violin 
 
Danny Elfman performs with the Pittsburgh Symphony, joined by featured violinist Sandy Cameron, bringing his music to life in a powerful symphonic setting.

Be among the first to experience Danny Elfman’s brand-new symphonic project, featuring music from his celebrated film career. Known internationally for scoring more than 100 films—including BatmanEdward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas—Elfman is also a Grammy-winning composer, Emmy Award winner, and former lead singer of the LA rock band Oingo Boingo. 
 
_______________________________________________ 
 
 
July 12 | Sun 2:30 PM 
Woodland Hills 
 
Moon Doh, conductor 
 
Fiddlesticks travels to Woodland Hills this summer for a new adventure with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Meet Fiddlesticks, the PSO’s seven-foot tall, cuddly feline friend who loves to dance, clap, and celebrate music with his friends in the neighborhood. Recommended for families with children ages 3-8, this program invites friends of Fiddlesticks new and old to sing, dance, and discover the magic of music together. 
________________________________________________________________________ 
 
With Gratitude 

  • BNY Classics concerts are made possible by title sponsorship support from BNY. The 2025-2026 season marks BNY’s 25th consecutive year as title sponsor of the series.   
  • The America250 Festival is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. 
  • Fiddlesticks in Your Neighborhood is supported by the PA Department of Education and presenting sponsor, The Wilson Group.  
  • Americana is supported by free concert sponsor, Dollar Bank. 
  • Support for PSO operations and for capital improvements for Heinz Hall is made possible by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD).  
  • The PSO is grateful for overall support from local and state government entities: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  
  • Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the Pittsburgh Symphony.  
  • Delta Airlines is the official airline of the Pittsburgh Symphony.  
  • Radio station WQED-FM 89.3/WQEJ-FM 89.7 is the official voice of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.  
  • The PSO is grateful to the PA Department of Education with support from State Senator Camera Bartolotta; the Arts, Equity, & Education Fund; Hans and Leslie Fleischner; EQT Foundation; Myles & Joan Bradley;  Linda & Robert Ellison; Connie & Mike Phillips; Helge & Erika Wehmeier; and Anonymous Friends of the Orchestra (2) for major support of the Paul J. Ross Fellowship. 

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