Lea Salonga, Ray Chen, and More Set For Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra's 2026/27 Season

The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2026/27 season, Resonance. Taking place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, the season brings together internationally celebrated artists, symphonic works, and genre-spanning performances that reflect the distinctive voice of Hawaiʻi. From the soaring artistry of Lea Salonga to the welcome return of violinist Ray Chen, and the holiday favorite Elf in Concert, Resonance invites audiences into moments that linger long after the final note disappears.

More than a celebration of 15 years, this season signals momentum, expanding what a modern orchestra can be while deepening its connection to the community it calls home. Music & Artistic Director Dane Lam explains, "What does it mean for an orchestra to be embedded in its time and place? In its community? These are the questions that underpin our quest to make HSO an orchestra for all of Hawai'i, a proud Asia-Pacific voice rooted in one of the world's most dynamic cultural regions. From Carmen to Kolohe Kai; from Lea Salonga to Dai-Keong Lee; from Brahms to Star Wars. I am proud to present HSO Season 26/27, a season filled with the greatest music ever written, played by an ensemble of world-class musicians, rooted here in the Pacific."

"As we celebrate 15 years, Resonance reflects both how far the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has come and the deep connection we continue to build with our community," said Amy Iwano, President and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. "This season honors the power of live music to bring people together-bridging generations, cultures, and genres-while amplifying Pacific voices and world-class artistry that feel unmistakably at home here in Hawaiʻi. We are proud of this momentum and excited to share a season that is bold and has something for everyone."

At the core of Resonance, the Halekulani Masterworks Series showcases the power and range of the symphonic tradition from George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue to Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, and the triumphant return of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Ode to Joy." Guest artists include pianist Makoto Ozone, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and violinists Jennifer Koh and Augustin Hadelich.

A highlight of the Masterworks season is the world premiere of the Dai-Keong Lee Violin Concerto, performed by Jennifer Koh alongside Beethoven's immortal Ninth Symphony. Born and raised in Hawai'i, Dai-Keong Lee was once celebrated across the United States and abroad before fading from the repertoire. HSO reclaims him in the violin concerto's modern premiere. HSO's Asia-Pacific focus continues in April with Firebird & The Phoenix, featuring the world premiere of Fang Man's Song of the Flaming Phoenix for sheng and orchestra - placing an ancient Chinese instrument at the heart of a program alongside Stravinsky and Sibelius, and exemplifying HSO's unique position at the crossroads of East, West, and Pacific.

HSO continues its tradition of immersive festivals: city-wide, multi-art form, cross-institution explorations of music inspired by figures such as Beethoven (2024) and Shakespeare (2026). In 2026, Brahms: From Vienna to Hawai'i weaves together 150 years of musical evolution. The festival features all four Brahms symphonies in conversation with music that surrounded Brahms and paired with new Pacific commissions from Composer in Residence Michael-Thomas Foumai and composer Nilo Alcala.

New this season, Spotlight Concerts expand the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra experience with genre-blurring performances that reflect the breadth of Hawaiʻi's musical landscape and the evolving role of the modern orchestra. This dynamic series brings together global icons and local voices from two unforgettable evenings with Tony Award-winning Lea Salonga to the vibrant energy of HapaSymphony, featuring a solo performance by Hawai'i's own Kolohe Kai. As part of his 50th landmark anniversary celebrating his start in show business, Honolulu favorite, Grammy-nominated conductor, arranger, saxophonist, pianist, vocalist, and composer Matt Catingub returns to the HSO, with his concert From Samoa to Sinatra, a concert tracing his musical journey from the legacy of his mother, Mavis Rivers, to the enduring world of Frank Sinatra. Beloved traditions return with the Hapa Holiday Extravaganza, a festive celebration infused with local flair, while innovative programs like The Sounds of Ravel & Rosalía featuring Carolina Rial of NBC's The Voice, blur the lines between classical and contemporary sound. Together, Spotlight Concerts invite audiences to experience the orchestra in new and unexpected ways.

HSO continues its popular Films in Concert series with Elf in Concert, bringing the beloved holiday film to life with the full orchestral score performed live, an immersive experience that blends cinema and symphonic sound. May the force be with you in spring 2027 to relive Star Wars: A New Hope in its 50th anniversary year.