From TOLEDO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Ballet, and Toledo Jazz Orchestra, together as the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), have announced their 2025–2026 performance season. Season subscriptions are now available, with exclusive subscriber benefits including discounted pricing, priority seating, and free concert exchanges. The deadline to subscribe and retain 2024–2025 seats and pricing is June 10.
The 2025–2026 season is a celebration of artistry, tradition, and innovation—featuring major works by Hector Berlioz, Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms, and Aaron Copland; dynamic performances from guest artists including Olga Kern, Angela Meade, Emilie-Claire Barlow, and Arturo Sandoval; and the milestone 85th annual presentation of “The Nutcracker,” the longest-running production in North America.
“This is a season filled with unforgettable moments,” says Alain Trudel, Music Director of the Toledo Symphony. “From ‘Symphonie fantastique’ to ‘Appalachian Spring,’ our audiences will experience the emotional power of music in every performance. My wonderful colleagues in the Toledo Symphony and I are thrilled to welcome extraordinary soloists, and I’m excited to continue growing our partnerships across music, dance, and jazz.”
Rita Barbour Kern Masterworks Series
The Toledo Symphony’s Rita Barbour Kern Masterworks Series opens with “Symphonie fantastique” by Hector Berlioz (Oct. 17 and 18) and closes with Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” ((June 6, 2026) offering a powerful emotional arc across the season. Other highlights include Gustav Mahler’s epic Symphony No. 6 (Nov. 7,) Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (March 6 ), and an all-Baroque program (Jan. 16 and 17) featuring works by Handel, Bach, and Stravinsky. Celebrated soprano Angela Meade joins the TSO for a stirring evening of vocal masterworks by Strauss, Wagner, and Beethoven (Nov. 22). International piano sensations Olga Kern May 1 and 2, 2026) and Sara Davis Buechner (Feb. 20) return to Toledo to perform concertos by Brahms and Beethoven.
Several Masterworks programs are presented in connection with the nationwide America250 initiative, celebrating the lead-up to the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
Keybank Pops Series
The KeyBank Pops Series blends symphonic sound with popular favorites, including the return of Evil Woman: An ELO Tribute (Nov. 15), a new Led Zeppelin symphonic experience (May 9, 2026), and a magical journey “From Toledo to Broadway” (Jan.31) with local star Sara Sheperd, known for her performance as Carole King in the national tour of “Beautiful.” Audiences will also enjoy the holiday favorite Christmas at the Peristyle (Dec. 6), an ‘out-of-this-world” concert of Symphonic Sci-Fi (March 14), and an elegant Parisian-themed evening featuring jazz chanteuse Emilie-Claire Barlow (April 18, 2026).
Hartmann Bogan Jazz Series
The Toledo Jazz Orchestra opens the Hartmann Bogan Jazz Series with a high-voltage performance by Kennedy Center honoree Arturo Sandoval, the legendary Cuban-American jazz trumpeter (Oct.11). Other Jazz Series highlights include A Charlie Brown Christmas (Dec. 20), a swinging Count Basie tribute (Jan. 24), and a celebration of the Great American Songbook with vocalist and trombonist Aubrey Logan (March 28). The season concludes with a genre-crossing performance by Ray Angry, acclaimed composer and keyboardist for The Roots (June 13, 2026).
Buckeye Broadband & The Blade Chamber Series
This season’s Buckeye Broadband & The Blade Chamber Series offers five intimate concerts curated by TSO musicians in the new Robert Bell Studio at the Toledo Center for Live Arts. Programs include A Ravel Birthday Celebration, Shostakovich & Schubert, and America @ 250.
The Andersons Inc. Family Series
The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation Family Series continues to inspire younger audiences, beginning with Toledo Ballet’s Halloween hit “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” (Oct. 24 and 250 followed by “Dr. Seuss and the Symphony,” (Jan. 25)and Toledo Ballet’s full-length spring production of “Coppélia,” a charming and comic ballet classic (April 25, 2026).
Special Events
Toledo Ballet’s 85th annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” will once again delight audiences with dazzling choreography by Eric Otto and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Toledo Symphony. The production, held at the Stranahan Theater, remains the longest-running annual production of The Nutcracker in North America.
In addition to The Nutcracker, (Dec. 12-14 the season includes Handel’s Messiah at Rosary Cathedral (Dec. 7) and an Organ Spectacular (April 17) celebrating the restored Skinner organ, featuring organist Todd Wilson and repertoire by Vierne, Debussy, and Jongen.
Subscribe
Subscriptions to the Rita Barbour Kern Masterworks Series, KeyBank Pops Series, Buckeye Broadband & The Blade Chamber Series, Hartmann Bogan Jazz Series, and The Andersons Inc. Charitable Family Foundation Series are on sale now by calling the TAPA Box Office at 419-246-8000 or by going to artstoledo.com/subscribe to view programs and purchase series subscriptions online. Tickets for Handel’s Messiah and The Nutcracker may also be added on to any subscription at this time. Single tickets for all performances go on sale on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Renew
Current season subscribers are invited to renew their subscriptions online at artstoledo.com/my-account. Once logged in, select the “Fixed Subscriptions” button and continue the prompted steps to accept the subscription renewal. Renewals can also be made by calling the TAPA Box Office at 419-246-8000.
