Nashville Symphony: Upcoming March Events
Nashville Symphony March 2026 Concerts Feature Guest Conductor Andrew Grams Conducting Gershwin’s An American in Paris; Guest Conductor Tito Muñoz Conducting Holst’s The Planets and the World Premiere of James Lee III’s Saxophone Concerto; and Enrico Lopez-Yañez Conducting Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony
Plus:
- Elevate: Meditation, Movement, and Breathwork
- Carnival of the Animals
- The Elliston Trio Performs Shostakovich and Dvořák Chamber Concert
- Two Violas are Better than One: Mozart’s Viola Quintet in G Minor Chamber Concert
NASHVILLE, TN—February 12, 2026 The Nashville Symphony’s March 2026 schedule features guest conductor Andrew Grams conducting Gershwin’s An American in Paris alongside pianist Clayton Stephenson; Guest Conductor Tito Muñoz conducting Holst’s The Planets and the world premiere of James Lee III’s Saxophone Concerto alongside saxophonist Timothy McAllister; three nights of the return of Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony; a meditative evening of mediation, movement, and breathwork; a carnival-themed children’s program; and two choose-your-price chamber concerts featuring classical masterworks. Listed concerts, dates, times, and pricing subject to change.
Elevate: Meditation, Movement, and Breathwork
Sunday, March 1, 7:00 PM
Tickets: Starting at $30
Led by Joanna Barbera, this rejuvenating and restorative practice combines ancient methods for modern times, weaving together mindful movement and breathwork techniques accompanied by live music from Nashville Symphony musicians. Experience deeper presence and renewed vitality through this unique fusion of sound, breath, and gentle movement. All levels welcome – no experience necessary.
Sunday March 8, 3:00 PM
Tickets: Starting at $30
Step into a whimsical world where music and imagination run wild! Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals brings a magical menagerie to life, with each movement playfully capturing the personality of a different animal – from the majestic lion to the graceful swan, and even a curious kangaroo! Perfect for audiences of all ages, this delightful performance combines humor, charm, and Saint-Saëns’s brilliant score for an unforgettable journey through the animal kingdom. This concert also features All About Keyboards, a fun exploration of the piano, organ, harpsichord and celeste!
The Elliston Trio Performs Shostakovich and Dvořák
Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 PM
CHOOSE YOUR PRICE
Join us for an evening of two remarkable piano trios. Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 8, written when the composer was just seventeen, captures youthful passion and striking lyricism, offering an early glimpse of his unmistakable voice. In contrast, Dvořák’s beloved “Dumky” Trio, Op. 90 unfolds as a series of deeply expressive musical portraits – by turns introspective, heartfelt, and exuberant – rooted in the composer’s Bohemian folk heritage. Together, these works showcase the range of human expression and the lasting artistry of chamber music.
An American in Paris with Our Town
Thursday, March 12; Friday, March 13; Saturday, March 14, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $29
Continuing our America 250 celebration, guest conductor Andrew Grams leads a dynamic program that honors American music’s creativity, diversity, and global influence. From the gentle optimism of Copland’s Our Town to the rhythmic energy of Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory, a stunning work by an American composer, this concert reflects the evolving soundscape of our nation. Pianist Clayton Stephenson, a rising star known for his charisma and expressive power, brings joy and flair to Ravel’s jazz-inflected Piano Concerto. Gershwin’s An American in Paris caps the evening with bold horns and bustling spirit, capturing an unforgettable portrait of an American abroad.
Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony
Thursday, March 19; Friday, March 20; Saturday, March 21, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $36
Back by popular demand, take a symphonic journey through Dolly’s music, life, and legacy, featuring guest vocalists and musicians personally selected by the legendary artist herself. Led by conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, and featuring the Nashville Symphony, this production reimagines Dolly’s greatest hits – including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You” – with new orchestrations and vivid multimedia storytelling.
Two Violas are Better than One: Mozart’s Viola Quintet in G Minor
Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 PM
CHOOSE YOUR PRICE
What’s better than one viola? Two! This special evening of chamber music puts the spotlight on Mozart’s unforgettable Viola Quintet in G Minor. With its dramatic flair, rich harmonies, and plenty of conversation between the two violas, it’s Mozart at his most playful and profound. Gather your friends, sit back, and enjoy a concert that proves more strings really do make more magic.
Friday, March 27; Saturday, March 28; Sunday, March 29, 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at $32
WORLD PREMIERE
Journey beyond the stars with a celestial program that blends orchestral wonder with a heartfelt tribute. Holst’s The Planets, a cosmic masterpiece that shaped the sound of generations of film scores, anchors an evening of space-inspired music. The program features the world premiere of James Lee III’s Saxophone Concerto, written for and performed by Timothy McAllister, one of the world’s finest saxophonists.
The Nashville Symphony is where music comes alive for Middle Tennessee and beyond. Founded in 1946, the orchestra performs at the world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center, presenting a mix of classical masterpieces, groundbreaking new works, jazz, pop, film concerts, and family programming. A champion of contemporary American orchestral music, the Symphony has premiered and recorded works by today’s most celebrated and innovative composers, earning 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 27 nominations. The Nashville Symphony performs nearly 200 concerts each year, including many free and low-cost education and community programs that annually reach nearly 550,000 people of all ages across the Middle Tennessee region. Through broadcasts, recordings, and streaming, the Nashville Symphony reaches an additional 13 million listeners worldwide each year. As a nonprofit organization, the Nashville Symphony is dedicated to enriching the community, inspiring the next generation of music lovers, and showcasing the power of live music to unite and inspire. Learn more at nashvillesymphony.org.
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