2026- 2027 Concert dates and venues at a glance:

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 7:30 pm • Magale Recital Hall
A Celebration of 250 Years of the United States of America

Our season opens with a patriotic tribute celebrating the ideals, courage, and history that shaped our nation. The Symphony will perform Richard Rose's "Celebration Overture"; NSU alumna Nettie Chenevert's "Dear Enemy Overture"; and beloved favorites including a Salute to the Armed Forces, "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and "God Bless America," with the Cane River Singers.

Tuesday, November 3, 7:30 pm • Magale Recital Hall - American Reflections

This program will feature NSU professor of percussion, Dr. Oliver Molina performing American Composer Kevin Puts’ “Concerto for Marimba.” Also, on the program Copland’s “John Henry,” Gershwin’s “An American in Paris Suite,” and Charles Ives’ “The Camp Meeting” that contains several familiar early American hymns. We will end the program with Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.” A story of sacrifice, liberty and triumph over tyranny!

December 2, 3, 4, 2026 NSU Christmas Gala - A.A. Fredericks Auditorium

The NSU School of Creative and Performing Arts’ 38th annual Christmas GALA is a must-see! Take a pick for which show you would like to attend but reserve your seat early. These performances are in high demand and often sell out. 

Thursday, February 4, 2027 7:30 pm • Magale Recital Hall
Requiem, Optimism, and A Gift to Be Simple

NSU Alumnus, Maestro Mario Torres returns to campus to conduct Haydn’s spirited and optimistic Symphony No. 88. The program also features NSU Professor of Cello Paul Christopher, along with two of his former students and Natchitoches residents, Milovan Paz, and Jorge Rodriguez, in a performance of David Popper’s “Requiem for Three Cellos.” Opening the concert is the original chamber orchestra version of Aaron Copland’s beloved “Appalachian Spring,” featuring the timeless American folk song “Simple Gifts.”

Saturday, February 6, 2027, 5:30 pm • Magale Recital Hall
String Day

High school and middle school students from the region will join the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony for a day of lessons and rehearsals, culminating with a concert at 5:30pm.

Tuesday, March 23, 2027, 7:30 pm • Magale Recital Hall - Concerto Winners

One of the season’s most popular concerts showcases Northwestern State University’s outstanding student soloists performing with the orchestra. The program features music by American composers Florence Price and Brian Balmages.

Tuesday, April 27, 2027, 7:30 pm • Magale Recital Hall
Angels of Light, with Courage, and Hope

Our final concert of the season culminates with one of the most beloved works in the orchestral repertoire: Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Composed in New York, in 1893, while he served as director of the National Conservatory of Music of America. Deeply inspired by the spirituals sung by his African American student, Harry T. Burleigh, Dvořák blends European symphonic tradition with the sounds and spirit of America. The program also features Frank Ticheli’s “Angels in the Architecture.” Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Ticheli is one of America's most celebrated contemporary composers. This powerful and moving work explores the struggle between darkness and light, ultimately affirming the enduring human ideals of peace, hope, and love. Opening the concert will be Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.”