Louisville Orchestra Concludes Landmark Season
The Louisville Orchestra concluded its 2025-2026 season with record audience demand, achieving the highest number of sold-out performances in the organization's history and the highest single-ticket revenue for its Classics Series during Music Director Teddy Abrams' tenure. Combined with a balanced budget, expanded statewide engagement, and significant artistic achievements, the season positions the Orchestra for continued growth as it prepares for the public on-sale of its 2026-2027 season on June 10.
Over the course of the season, the Louisville Orchestra reached more than 75,000 audience members through performances, education programs, and community initiatives. Nearly 50,000 patrons attended paid performances including 19 sold out performances while more than 13,000 attended free concerts and community programs throughout Louisville and the Commonwealth.
From performances by internationally acclaimed artists to free concerts in communities across the Commonwealth, the Louisville Orchestra continued to expand its reach while deepening its impact throughout Kentucky.
"The Louisville Orchestra is stronger today than at any point in recent memory, and the momentum continues to build," said Jordan Harris, Chair of the Louisville Orchestra Board of Directors. “Our musicians are better than ever. Our impact is bigger than ever. Our mission is more central than ever to the cultural life of Louisville and the Commonwealth."
“The success of this season reflects the exceptional trust, excitement, and spirit shared between our musicians and our audiences,” said Music Director Teddy Abrams. “Kentuckians are showing up in record numbers because they want to be a part of the Louisville Orchestra family, and we have welcomed everyone into that family, regardless of demographics, beliefs, politics, and even musical proclivities. We are an orchestra for and of the people, which suggests a positive cycle of energy: our audience gives us the inspiration to dream bigger, create boldly, and serve Kentucky communities with greater impact than ever before.”
The season's impact extended far beyond the concert hall.
The fourth year of the In Harmony Tour featured 46 free events across Kentucky, including 13 full orchestra concerts and 33 community ensemble visits, reaching nearly 14,000 attendees throughout the Commonwealth. The program also received a significant vote of confidence this year from the Kentucky General Assembly, which approved $3.2 million in funding to continue the In Harmony Tour through 2028. The new allocation brings total legislative support for the program to $11.8 million, representing the largest single source of independent funding in Louisville Orchestra history.
Through MakingMUSIC, the Orchestra served nearly 8,000 students from 43 Jefferson County Public Schools, while musicians visited 133 classrooms and reached an additional 3,570 students. More than 10,000 students from 65 middle and high schools attended Louisville Orchestra performances through the Friday Field Trip program.
Additional community programs included Once Upon an Orchestra, which presented 18 performances at libraries throughout the region, and Music Without Borders, which brought free performances directly into Louisville neighborhoods.
“FY26 was a remarkable year for the Louisville Orchestra,” said Nathaniel Koch, Interim Chief Executive. “From record audience demand and statewide touring to educational programs, artistic innovation, and community partnerships, we continued to expand both our reach and impact.”
The organization concluded the fiscal year with revenues exceeding expenses, strengthening unrestricted net assets and ensuring all core programs remain fully funded heading into the 2026-2027 season.
“Through fiscal discipline and the unwavering generosity of our supporters, the Louisville Orchestra closed the fiscal year with revenues exceeding total expenses, strengthening unrestricted net assets,” said Tonya McSorley, Chief Financial Officer. “This positive financial position ensures that 100% of the LO’s core programs remain fully funded and operational heading into the new year.”
The record-setting season was also marked by significant artistic accomplishments. Highlights included the return of Grammy Award-winning pianist Yuja Wang following the Orchestra's Grammy-winning recording project, Morgan Freeman's first appearance with the Louisville Orchestra in Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues, the return of Ben Folds, and violinist Itzhak Perlman's first performance with the Orchestra in nearly two decades.
Additional milestones included the Louisville Orchestra's first performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 9 since 2000, the return of conductor Robert Spano, the return of composer Eric Whitacre, and continued growth of the NightLites Series in Southern Indiana.
The Louisville Orchestra also continued its national leadership in the creation of new music through the Louisville Orchestra Creators Corps. During the season, the organization presented numerous world premieres and new works by composers including Lisa Bielawa, Anthony R. Green, Chelsea Komschlies, Baldwin Giang, and Brittany Green, while expanding collaborative projects with schools, artists, and community organizations throughout Louisville.
Recording projects remained a key part of the Orchestra's artistic activity, including the release of The Year of Silence on Pentatone, the Orchestra's first commercial release since its Grammy-winning collaboration with Yuja Wang, and the recording of Mason Bates' Silicon Hymnal with Time for Three for a future album release.
The season also marked continued collaboration with Louisville Ballet, Kentucky Opera, Kentucky Performing Arts, and community partners throughout the region, strengthening Louisville's cultural ecosystem and laying the groundwork for future artistic initiatives.
Following one of the most successful seasons in recent years, the Louisville Orchestra now looks ahead to its 89th season starting October 16, 2026 featuring Verdi’s Requiem. Upcoming performances include Yuja Wang Plays Brahms, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ledisi: Music of Nina Simone and Dinah Washington, Michael Feinstein, Salome in collaboration with Kentucky Opera, and numerous world premieres and new commissions.
Single tickets for the 2026-2027 season go on sale Wednesday, June 10, at LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
2025-2026 SEASON BY THE NUMBERS
• 75,000+ audience members reached
• 49,987 paid attendance
• 13,122 free attendance
• 19 sold-out performances
• 16% above annual ticket sales goals
• 13 In Harmony Tour orchestra concerts
• 33 community ensemble visits
• Nearly 14,000 attendees reached through In Harmony programming
• Nearly 8,000 students served through MakingMUSIC
• More than 10,000 students participated through Friday Field Trips
• Multiple world premieres, commissions, and recording projects