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
PITTSBURGH – Today, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announced 2026 Summer with the Symphony programming, featuring a Cinematic Soundtrack Festival, Fiddlesticks 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
BNY Classics: Lincoln Portrait (America250 Festival)
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
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BNY Classics: Appalachian Spring (America250 Festival)
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)
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Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
June 26 | Fri 7:00 PM
June 27 | Sat 7:00 PM
June 28 | Sun 2:30 PM
Heinz Hall
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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
Symphonic Soundtracks: A Cinematic Summer Festival
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 Shining, Apocalypse Now, Death in Venice, Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, There Will Be Blood, Indiana 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
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 Batman, Edward 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.
Danny Elfman performs with the Pittsburgh Symphony, joined by featured violinist Sandy Cameron, bringing his music to life in a powerful symphonic setting. This special summer concert offers a rare opportunity to hear Elfman’s work performed with the composer himself.
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Fiddlesticks in Your Neighborhood
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.
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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 issupported bythe PA Department of Education and presenting sponsor, The Wilson Group.
- Americana is supported byfreeconcert sponsor, Dollar Bank.
- Support for PSO operationsand forcapital 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 hotelofthe 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.