SAN ANTONIO – Rehearsals began this weekend for the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio Philharmonic, launching the organization’s 50th anniversary season with a 2026-27 lineup that includes alumni appearances, world premieres, holiday programming and collaborations with local choral groups.

“The musicians of the YOSA Philharmonic are the best young players in South Texas,” said Troy Peters, YOSA music director and philharmonic conductor. “When their energy connects with the talent of our incredible guest artists, something truly special happens. Every concert feels like a spark, you can feel it in the room. This season, we’re diving into bold music and exciting collaborations that will not only move our audiences but also push our musicians to grow. That’s what YOSA is all about, changing kids’ lives through music and helping them discover just how powerful they really are.”

The season includes five Classics and Pops concerts at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts:

Metamorphosis is set for Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 7 p.m. YOSA said the concert will open the 50th season with a program focused on transformation in music, including the world premiere of “Dances for Orchestra,” a new work composed for YOSA by alumnus Ethan Gurwitz. The program also includes Gershwin’s “Piano Concerto in F major” with pianist and YOSA graduate Christopher Guzman as soloist, and Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Weber.” YOSA Mariachi is also scheduled to appear.

A Holiday Spectacular, presented by YOSA and the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. YOSA said the concert returns for its third year and will feature the YOSA Philharmonic and YOSA Repertory Strings along with multiple ensembles from the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, including Chorale, Choristers, Concert Choir, Chamber and Encore. The release also notes “rumor has it” a special guest conductor from the North Pole will close the evening.

Voices of Nature is set for Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027, at 7 p.m., with YOSA Philharmonic joining the San Antonio Mastersingers. The program includes Gabriela Ortiz’s “Kauyumari” and Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances,” along with a world premiere of a new choral-orchestral work by Peters setting nature-inspired poetry by Julie Cadwallader-Staub. YOSA said the 2026-27 YOSA Concerto Competition winner will also perform, and YOSA Concertino Strings will appear.

Jukebox 1977 is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 2027, at 8 p.m. YOSA said the one-night-only concert will celebrate music from 1977 with local San Antonio rock bands backed by a full orchestra, reimagining hits including “Staying’ Alive,” “Dreams,” “Hotel California,” “Barracuda,” and “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” among others. The performance continues YOSA’s Classic Albums Live series, following past celebrations of Prince, Queen, the Beatles and Selena.

The season finale, the 50th Anniversary Celebration, is set for Sunday, May 16, 2027, at 7 p.m. YOSA said the concert will revisit the orchestra’s beginnings with Khachaturian’s “Masquerade” Suite, the first work ever performed by the orchestra, in a side-by-side performance featuring current musicians and alumni. The program also includes Kabalevsky’s “Cello Concerto No. 1” with acclaimed cellist and YOSA alumna Christine Lamprea as soloist, plus movements from Holst’s “The Planets” — Mars, Venus and Jupiter — and an appearance by YOSA Intermezzo Strings. YOSA said the concert also marks the opening of YOSA’s first permanent home.

Subscriptions and tickets are available at www.yosa.org/concerts.

YOSA said it provides music experiences to more than 2,500 young musicians ages 8-20 through YOSA Orchestras, YOSA Summer Symphony Camp and YOSA School Partnerships.