Pasadena Symphony & Pops

Mendelssohn & Meyer
2026-01-24 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

January 24, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Tessa Lark, violin
Mendelssohn The Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave)
Edgar Meyer Violin Concerto
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 “Scottish” Buy Tickets Embark on a rich musical journey as Mendelssohn’s evocative “Scottish” Symphony captures the misty beauty of the Highlands, and violinist Tessa Lark brings you through fields of Southern bluegrass with fire and finesse for Edgar Meyer’s genre-blending concerto.
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsTessa LarkViolin Edgar MeyerComposer Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Barbara Mann Steinwedell

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Tchaikovsky Pathétique
2026-02-21 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

February 21, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Michelle Cann, piano
Jeffrey Nytch Beacon
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique” Buy Tickets Delight in the elegance of Mozart’s 23rd Piano Concerto, shimmering with grace and lyrical beauty at the hands of the electrifying Michelle Cann. Then, plunge into the emotional depths of Tchaikovsky’s haunting “Pathétique” Symphony for a gripping journey exploring love, despair and fate.
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsMichelle CannPiano Jeffrey NytchComposer Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Marlene R. Konnar & John D. Baldeschwieler

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

From the New World
2026-03-21 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

March 21, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Juan Pablo Contreras, composer & special guest
Bernstein Three Dance Variations from Fancy Free
Juan Pablo Contreras Symphony No. 1 (co-commission)
Dvořák Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” Buy Tickets Be among the first to experience acclaimed composer Juan Pablo Conteras’ first symphony, capturing his journey to becoming a composer and a US citizen, and get lost in one of the most popular symphonies of all time – a tribute to the American spirit. ArtistsJuan Pablo ContrerasComposer & Special Guest Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

Beethoven Eroica
2026-04-25 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

April 25, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Julian Schwarz, cello
Quinn Mason Heroic Overture (Overtura Eroica)
Jennifer Higdon Cello Concerto (West Coast Premiere)
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” Buy Tickets A grand display of musical innovation across centuries, with the west coast premiere of Grammy-winning composer Jennifer Higdon’s cello concerto, and the bold spirit of Beethoven’s ground-breaking Eroica Symphony—revolutionary, heroic and full of power.
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsJulian SchwarzCello Quinn MasonComposer Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Concert Underwriter:
Linda & William Krantz

Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

America @ 250
2026-05-30 | Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S St. John Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105, United States
Ambassador Auditorium

May 30, 2026
2:00pm & 8:00pm Brett Mitchell, conductor
Joyce Wang, piano
John Williams Selections from American Journey
Johnathan Leshnoff Rhapsody on “America” (West Coast Premiere)
Copland Appalachian Spring Suite
Copland Lincoln Portrait Buy Tickets A celebration of American orchestral music with a concert work by John Williams and two seminal pieces by Copland. Plus Joyce Yang dazzles on the west coast premiere of a new work by Jonathan Leshnoff to top off the season with a bang!
Join us one hour before the performance for Insights – a free pre-concert dialogue with KUSC Host Brian Lauritzen and Music Director Brett Mitchell. Learn about the works being performed and get a behind-the-scenes look at our guest artists and conductor. ArtistsJoyce YangPiano Johnathan LeshnoffComposer Brett MitchellMusic Director Video Sponsors
Insights Sponsor:
Alan Fisher, MD
& Hear MD

The Elton John Tribute
2026-07-25 | LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
LA County Arboretum

August 15, 2026
Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking
Concert begins at 7:30pm Subscribe Today Get ready for a spectacular theatrical experience capturing the Rocketman’s music, costumes and charisma. From Benny and the Jets and Tiny Dancer to Candle in the Wind and Crocodile Rock, this high-energy show brings his chart-topping hits to life with unforgettable flair.  Artists Larry BlankConductor Craig A. MeyerVideoSponsors

Music of the Night: Andrew Lloyd Webber & Friends
2026-07-25 | LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
LA County Arboretum

August 29th, 2026
Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking
Concert begins at 7:30pm Subscribe Today The season closes with an unforgettable evening of drama, passion and iconic melodies from Webber’s five-decade career with showstopping hits from Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and more.  Artists Larry BlankConductor Video Sponsors

Star Spangled Salute To The Movies
2026-07-25 | LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
LA County Arboretum

June 20, 2026
Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking
Concert begins at 7:30pm Subscribe Today Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank kicks off the season with epic scores from Superman, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Arc, Saving Private Ryan and more Hollywood blockbusters for an unforgettable evening celebrating the spirit of American film music. Artists Larry BlankConductor VideoSponsors

Dancing In the Street: Music of Motown
2026-07-25 | LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
LA County Arboretum

July 11, 2026
Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking
Concert begins at 7:30pm Subscribe Today Get ready to groove to the Temptations, Supremes and Stevie Wonder for this soulful celebration of legendary Motown artists. Hits like My Girl, I Feel Good and Superstition will have you signin’ and dancin’ All Night Long. Artists Shayna SteeleGuest Artist Larry BlankConductor VideoSponsors

Michael Feinstein Sings the Greatest Love Songs
2026-07-25 | LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91007, United States
LA County Arboretum

July 25, 2026
Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking
Concert begins at 7:30pm Subscribe Today Romance is in the air as Feinstein sweeps you off your feet with timeless love songs from Gershwin to Sinatra – Love Is Here to Stay, The Way You Look Tonight, Witchcraft, You Make You Feel So Young and more heartfelt classics.
. Artists Michael FeinsteinSoloist Larry BlankConductor Video Principal Pops Conductor, Michael Feinstein sings Gershwin’s “Strike up the Band” with the Pasadena POPS, August 19, 2017. Sponsors
