Name: RPYO Spring Showcase
Start: 2026-05-09T16:00:00
Location: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

Jason Altieri

Dustin Budish

Felicity Phan

Jeff Lindhorst

Laurentiu Norocel

Reno Philharmonic Orchestra

Like a great masterpiece shaped by time and intellect, the Reno Phil embarks on the pursuit of knowledge, where music unfolds with curiosity, discovery, and profound insight. At the heart of the evening is Nathan Amaral, the first prize winner of the 2024 Sphinx Competition, whose artistry illuminates Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto—a work of exquisite elegance and fiery virtuosity, as if the violin itself is searching for truth in every soaring phrase. The journey begins with Autumn Maria Reed’s Robin’s Eye View, a vivid and imaginative exploration of the world from above. The night reaches its pinnacle with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, a work Robert Schumann once prophesied as part of Beethoven’s legacy, declaring that Brahms, wielding his “magic wand,” would reveal “wondrous glimpses into the secret world of the spirits.” From its stormy opening to its triumphant, hymn-like finale, the symphony wrestles with struggle and revelation, culminating in an exultant resolution—a testament to the brilliance that emerges when passion and intellect collide.

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

Join composer-in-residence Michelle Isaac for an exclusive first look at her bold new orchestral work commissioned for the Reno Phil’s America 250 celebration, “Pressing Truths.” Inspired by the fierce and forgotten legacy of Mary Katharine Goddard—the only woman whose name appears on the Declaration of Independence—Isaac’s composition weaves together Revolutionary War echoes, printing press rhythms, and the powerful words Goddard once published. This lecture delves into Isaac’s immersive creative process and her exploration of a woman who believed deeply in freedom, only to be betrayed by the ideals she helped print into history. Discover how this work brings to life the enduring tension between patriotic idealism and lived experience—and reimagines the pursuit of happiness for a new generation.

Music, Memory and the Pursuit of Happiness

McKinley Arts & Culture Center

The Classix Series comes to a triumphant close in the pursuit of happiness, where the program echoes with freedom, resilience, and unrelenting joy. The evening begins with Bernstein’s electrifying On the Waterfront Symphonic Suite, pulsing with cinematic drama and raw intensity. The Reno Phil will proudly unveil a newly commissioned work by Michelle Isaac, written to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The work is inspired by the story of Mary Katherine Goddard, the only woman to sign the historic document—a testament to courage, conviction, and the power of a single voice to shape history. The season reaches its grand finale with Orff’s Carmina Burana, an exhilarating choral tour de force featuring the Reno Phil Chorus and a powerhouse trio of soloists, its thunderous rhythms and ecstatic melodies transform the concert hall into a whirlwind of fate, fortune, and unrestrained joy.

Carmina Burana

Play and Sing for a Day is a creative outlet for musicians of all levels and ages in our community. Through small and large group rehearsals, people will get a chance to interact, connect, and experience a day of making  music together with Reno Phil musicians and chorus conducted by Laura Jackson.

PLAY & SING for a day

B.D. Billinghurst Middle School

The future is now! The Reno Phil welcomes all four of its Youth Orchestras to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts stage to showcase their hard work. See the Youth Strings Ensemble, Youth Strings Symphonia, Youth Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony Orchestra perform as they play a variety of favorites.

RPYO Spring Showcase

Get ready to move, groove, and feel the music at The Orchestra Moves—a free, fun-filled family concert with the Reno Phil! Music isn’t just something we hear—it’s something we feel and move to! Watch as the orchestra brings sound to life, soaring high and low, creating exciting patterns, and even making you want to dance in your seat! With interactive moments, creative movement activities, and plenty of surprises, this concert is the perfect way for kids and families to experience the magic of music together. Come clap, sway, and discover how the orchestra moves—you won’t want to sit still for this one!

Free Family Concert

Experience the magic of the movies like never before with Movies with the Maestro! Led by conductor Laura Jackson, the Reno Phil will transport you through decades of cinematic brilliance, performing critically acclaimed film scores from Hollywood’s most iconic blockbusters. Revisit the greatest film soundtracks of all time, from the sweeping adventure of The Magnificent Seven and the timeless romance of Titanic to the epic heroism of The Avengers and beyond. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music that brings the silver screen to life—live in concert!