Sarasota Orchestra has announced the lineup for its 2025-2026 season, its first under the leadership of its new music director Giancarlo Guerrero. Guerrero served as music director of the Tachira Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela, associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and music director of the Eugene Symphony. He has collaborated with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra, among others, and maintained longstanding international relationships with orchestras in Europe, Latin America and Australia/New Zealand. He also recently completed a six-season tenure as music director of the NFM Wroclaw Philharmonic in Poland.

For the Sarasota Orchestra, Guerrero has created a program themed “The Sound of Change,” inspired by the history of American music as the country approaches its 250^th anniversary in 2026.

The season will showcase music from composers ranging from Gershwin and Ives to Jennifer Higdon and other contemporary voices alongside masterworks by Beethoven, Mahler, Tchaikovsky and Mozart. 

The season is anchored by the orchestra's five signature series: Masterworks, Pops, Discoveries, Great Escapes and Chamber Soirées.

The Masterworks series takes audiences on a journey through musical landscapes, both real and imagined. Performances include Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Pianist Alessio Bax, cellist Zlatomir Fung and violin prodigy Himari headline this season’s guest performances. This year's Masterworks series will also spotlight on American composers past and present, from Gershwin to Adolphus Hailstork. 

The Pops series, meanwhile, showcases full power of Sarasota Orchestra in performances ranging from Broadway blockbusters to bluesy favorites and cinematic legends.

The Discoveries series features short programs delighting both devotees and newcomers to great chamber orchestra repertoire. In 75 minutes without intermission, next season’s series will showcase lesser-known classics by Beethoven, Mozart and more, plus a concert highlighting American composer Aaron Copland. The series concludes with Schubert’s famed “Unfinished” Symphony with works by Haydn and Julia Perry. 

Great Escapes is one of Sarasota Orchestra’s most popular series, offering a diverse mix of fan-favorite tunes, light classics and conductor commentary. A few programs for the coming season include “Bugs, Bats and Birds,” “Love Notes” and “Starry Night.” Great Escapes performances take place at Holley Hall.

The Chamber Soirées series offers the opportunity for guests get up close and personal with Sarasota Orchestra musicians as they perform small ensemble works. This year, the fourth concert in the series includes a visit from Giancarlo Guerrero for a program of “miniature masterworks.” Other programs feature string and piano quartets and classics for wind and brass instruments.

Finally, three special concerts will take place throughout the season, including Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in concert in October, which opens the season with the orchestra performing John Williams’ legendary score live alongside the epic film on the big screen. In January, music director Giancarlo Guerrero will take the lead at the orchestra’s annual gala event, and in April, Outdoor Pops returns to Ed Smith Stadium with Tropical Rock for Five O’Clock… Somewhere, a  tribute to Jimmy Buffet and other tropical artists.