Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces Eighth Season
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LOWELL, Mass., Sep 21, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) has announced its eighth season, titled "The Sound of Belonging," which will explore the profound connections music can forge between individuals and their communities. The season, which opens in October, will feature a series of programs that delve into various aspects of music, culture, and identity.
The season kicks off on October 3 with "Seven Rabbits on a Pole," a program based on Pasquale Tassone's opera. The opera, which is set against the backdrop of an Italian immigrant family's struggles in America, will explore themes of poverty, prejudice, assimilation, family, and the search for home. The performance will be followed by "The Memory of Melodies" on November 22, which will examine how composers remember, borrow, and transform music from the past. The concert will feature performances by soloists Wei Zhao on flute, Apostolos Paraskevas on guitar, Krista Buckland-Reisner on violin, and Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta on piano.
On January 31, the LCO will present "Armenia" at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge. The program will celebrate the rich musical heritage of Armenia, featuring works by composers such as Alan Hovhaness and his Symphony No. 6 "Celestial Gate." The concert will spotlight the extraordinary ability of music to preserve identity across migration and diaspora, with violinist Sargis Karapetyan as the soloist.
The season will continue with "Black Resilience and Jubilation" on February 4, which will trace the evolution of Black musical creativity across classical music, spirituals, blues, gospel, jazz, R&B, and contemporary popular music. The concert will highlight the profound influence of Black artists on the American musical story, featuring music associated with artists such as Julia Perry, Bessie Smith, Stevie Wonder, and Kendrick Lamar.
On April 25, the LCO will celebrate "Blissful Insolence," a program that honors artists who refuse to conform. The concert will feature Bernstein's Serenade after Plato's "Symposium" and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, alongside a new commission by Ryan Suleiman and works selected through LCO's International Call for Scores. Violinist David Bernat, the winner of LCO's 2026 International Young Artist Competition, will appear as the soloist.
The season will conclude on June 6 with "Pride: A Rainbow of Repertoire," which will celebrate LGBTQ+ composers and artists whose contributions have helped shape musical culture. The program will affirm that belonging means more than being allowed into a space; it means being welcomed as yourself.
Since its founding in 2019, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra has combined professional performances with contemporary music, commissions, overlooked repertoire, educational initiatives, and opportunities for emerging artists and composers. The orchestra's concerts remain free to the public, removing one of the most significant barriers to experiencing professional orchestral music. Through its adventurous and high-quality performances, LCO works to ensure that exceptional orchestral music belongs to everyone.