A LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Friends of the Phil,

As we move through the heart of our season, we are grateful for the energy, connection, and shared experiences that continue to define this year at the Reno Phil. Your generosity makes each of these moments possible, sustaining our performances, education programs, and community partnerships across Northern Nevada.

Because of your support, audiences have come together for inspiring concerts, students have grown in confidence through music education, and families have experienced the joy of live performance both in the concert hall and throughout the community. This season’s impact is a direct reflection of your belief in music’s power to bring people together, spark creativity, and enrich lives.

Winter offers a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished so far, while also looking ahead with excitement. There is still so much to come, and we are energized by the momentum you help create with every performance, every program, and every student reached.

Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our work. We look forward to sharing more music and meaningful moments with you in the final months of our 57th season.

With sincere appreciation,

Aaron Doty
President & CEO

Make Space in 2026-2027

In a world that rarely slows down, music invites us to pause, listen, and gather. That spirit shapes our 2026–2027 season, Make Space—an open invitation to create room in our lives for wonder, reflection, and the joy of coming together.

Under the leadership of Music Director Laura Jackson, the 58th Season brings together bold symphonic masterworks, cinematic favorites, and thoughtfully curated programs designed to welcome both longtime subscribers and those discovering the Reno Phil for the first time.

Summer opens with a vibrant lineup of Pops programming that celebrates community and connection. Our Fourth of July collaboration, Red, White and Flight – Celebrating America250, transforms Mackay Stadium into a shared celebration, featuring a live Reno Phil performance alongside an awe-inspiring drone show. Presented in partnership with Artown and the University of Nevada and supported by the George W. Gillemot Foundation and Bean Space Foundation, this free event invites our community to experience patriotism, innovation, and possibility in a whole new way. The following weekend, our annual fundraising concert Pops on the River returns with a high-energy tribute to the 1980s, bringing both nostalgia and impact together. In August, Summer Breeze: Yacht Rock Classics sets sail on a laid-back musical journey, blending the smooth sounds of the ’70s and ’80s with the richness of a live orchestra.

Our Classix series anchors the season with iconic repertoire and extraordinary guest artists. Highlights include Dvořák’s New World Symphony, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and Stravinsky’s Petrushka. We are especially pleased to welcome back acclaimed musicians Jon Nakamatsu and Ray Ushikubo, whose performances continue to deepen the connection between stage and audience.

At the heart of the season is the expansive *Music & Space Festival*, an eight-week exploration where imagination and sound converge. Audiences will journey across the cosmos with Holst’s The Planets and travel to galaxies far, far away with the unforgettable music of Star Wars, experiencing music’s power to transport and inspire.
The season also brings the magic of film to the concert hall with three Live in Concert experiences. Relive adventure and wonder as the orchestra performs the scores to *Jurassic Park™*, *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™*, and *Star Wars: A New Hope*, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Throughout Season 58, each performance is an opportunity to make space—for music that moves us, for moments that stay with us, and for the simple pleasure of being together. Your presence completes the experience. We invite you to renew your seats or join us for the season ahead. Current subscribers have until May 15th to renew their subscriptions for next year. Don’t lose your seats to this incredible lineup!

Together, let’s make space for what matters.

**Celebrating 10 Years with the Phil**

On January 25, 2026, the Reno Phil celebrated a milestone: Evelyn Klatt, our Chief Development & Marketing Officer, marked 10 years with the organization. Since joining in 2016 as Director of Marketing, Evelyn has brought both a strategic mind and a storyteller’s heart, shaping the Reno Phil’s presence in the community and elevating our mission.
Under her leadership, the Phil’s marketing initiatives have garnered significant recognition, including multiple Gold American Advertising Awards and NCET’s Technology Non-Profit of the Year. In her current role, she oversees grants, special events, individual and major giving, legacy giving, and all marketing and communications.
Evelyn’s impact extends well beyond the concert hall and into the heart of our community. Her ability to build authentic relationships with donors, volunteers, community leaders, and media partners has been instrumental in supporting music education programs across Northern Nevada. After ten years, Evelyn’s vision, creativity, and leadership continue to inspire, ensuring a thriving future for the Reno Phil and the communities we serve.

2026 Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival

This January, 70 members of the Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) joined four other youth symphonies from across the region for the inaugural Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival in Sacramento. Students sat intentionally beside peers from other orchestras for a mass performance of Jean Sibelius’s Finlandia, creating a unique side-by-side experience that allowed them to perform with—and learn from—new collaborators.

Beyond the stage, students explored Sacramento, taking a historic river cruise (sea lions included), visiting the Railroad Museum, and enjoying the Broadway Tour of The Lion King (a clear favorite). The festival offered more than performance experience; it fostered confidence, teamwork, discipline, and long-term goal setting, helping students grow both as musicians and as individuals, while forming lasting friendships along the way.

**A winter of Classical Music**

During Winter 2026, the Reno Phil brought three unforgettable Classix concerts to life, featuring Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Stravinsky’s Firebird, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Each performance was elevated by remarkable guest soloists whose artistry captivated audiences and created truly memorable experiences, and the Elgar Cello Concerto performances were brought to life by Gues Conductor Nicholas Hersh. These concerts drew strong attendance and enthusiastic praise, reflecting the continued excitement and support of our community.

Even a February snowstorm couldn’t stop the music. Under the direction of Music Director Laura Jackson, the orchestra delivered an electrifying performance of Stravinsky’s Firebird, a testament to the dedication and resilience of our musicians. At the same time, our commitment to accessibility and audience experience remained unwavering. We were grateful that many subscribers who couldn’t attend in person were still able to join us via livestream, ensuring that the music reached every corner of our community.

First-Ever Music Education Festival

Each year, the Reno Phil introduces thousands of young people across Northern Nevada to the thrill of live orchestral music. Through school concerts, youth ensembles, and community programs, these experiences spark curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of music. This May, the inaugural Reno Phil Music Education Festival will bring these programs together in a three-day celebration, honoring the students, educators, and families who make music education such a vital part of our community.

Winter 2026

A LETTER FROM THE CEO

Make Space in 2026-2027

Celebrating 10 Years with the Phil

2026 Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival

A winter of Classical Music

First-Ever Music Education Festival

Thursday May 7

Friday May 8

Saturday, May 9