The Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra is taking audiences on a trip around the world next season, with six distinct programs across eight performances running September through May.
Music Director Michael Giel announced the 2026–27 lineup Monday, July 27, in a blog post on the orchestra's website. "Get your passports ready!" Giel wrote. "This season, the Alpharetta Symphony invites you on a musical journey spanning Russia, France, Germany, Austria, and the United States."
The season opens Friday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, Sept. 20, at Innovation Academy Auditorium with "Music from the Silver Screen," a program of Oscar-nominated and Academy Award-winning scores. The program includes John Williams' "Raider's March," Howard Shore's music from "The Lord of the Rings," James Horner's "Titanic" suite, and selections from "E.T.," "Gone with the Wind," and "Forrest Gump." Attendees are invited to dress in their "award show finest."
The rest of the lineup:
- Friday, Oct. 30: "Tchaikovsky and Borodin," an evening of two Russian symphonies with no overture or concerto on the program.
- Saturday, Nov. 28 (3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.): "An Alpharetta Holiday," featuring holiday movie themes, carols, and classical selections.
- Friday, Feb. 12, 2027: "Impressions of Paris," spotlighting French Impressionist works by Debussy and Ravel with soprano Jayme Alilaw, described by the orchestra as a "celebrated local soprano" who combines "Parisian elegance with Atlanta cool."
- Thursday, April 30, and Sunday, May 2, 2027: "Beethoven's 7th," with principal cellist Jeremy Woolstenhulme performing Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1 alongside Mozart's Overture to Don Giovanni and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.
- Monday, May 31, 2027, 7:30 p.m.: "Let Freedom Ring!" A free outdoor Memorial Day concert at Brooke Street Park with vocalist Megan Reader, weather permitting. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic.
Woolstenhulme also serves as conductor of the Alpharetta Symphony Youth Orchestras, which holds auditions Sunday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 9, at Preston Ridge Community Center. Youth tuition runs $650 for the full season.
Giel is in his second year as music director. He also serves as principal conductor of the Capitol City Opera Company in Atlanta and as associate conductor of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. The Alpharetta Symphony, founded in 2014, rehearses Thursday evenings at Preston Ridge and is a mix of amateur and professional musicians.
The orchestra needs players. Auditions for the 2026–27 season are Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Preston Ridge. Open paid positions include assistant concertmaster, principal trumpet, and principal timpanist. Volunteer openings exist for section strings, French horn, percussion, and trumpet.
Individual tickets are on sale at alpharettasymphony.org. Season subscriptions are also available. All ticketed concerts take place at Innovation Academy Auditorium, 125 Milton Ave., Alpharetta. Pre-concert talks begin one hour before select Friday performances. For accessibility needs or questions, contact the orchestra at [email protected] or 678-740-3554.
Upcoming dates
- Thursday, July 30: Orchestra auditions, Preston Ridge Community Center, 6–9:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9: Youth Orchestra auditions, Preston Ridge, 2–7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 18 (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 20 (3 p.m.): "Music from the Silver Screen," Innovation Academy Auditorium
