Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra announces 78th season
By Patrick Lynn
STEVENS POINT — The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra has announced its 78th concert season, with performances planned across central Wisconsin beginning in October.
The 2026-27 season, titled “Transformations,” will feature classical masterworks, movie scores, holiday music and big-band standards, along with several guest performers.
The season opens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Wisconsin Rapids Performing Arts Center with Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” and Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” featuring pianist Alex Fang.
Holiday concerts are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Creske Center Auditorium in Mosinee and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Stevens Point Area Senior High auditorium.
The orchestra will head to The Grand Theater in Wausau at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, for a tribute to composer John Williams. The concert will feature music from films including “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter” and “E.T.”
Vocalist Steve Lippia will join the orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the Wisconsin Rapids Performing Arts Center for an evening of Frank Sinatra standards, including “That’s Life.”
The season concludes at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at CREATE Portage County in Stevens Point with Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings” and a performance featuring CWSO flutist Danielle Breisach.
“We’ve built a season that showcases the full range and energy of our orchestra,” Dr. Andy Moran said. “Whether you love timeless symphonies, movie scores, or big-band classics, there is truly something special on stage for everyone this year.”
Tickets and season information are available at cwso.org, at the CWSO office inside the Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum, at the door before each performance or by calling 715-345-7726.
The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra includes 65 professional musicians from throughout the region, including music educators, university professors, students and full-time professional musicians. The orchestra’s mission is to “enrich, engage and educate through the power and performance of live music.”