Special Projects & Upcoming Performances
Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Studio Ghibli in Concert
Immerse yourself into the magical worlds of Studio Ghibli as Rei Hotoda opens the season with a vibrant celebration of legendary composer Joe Hisaishi’s richly imaginative, enchanting, and breathtakingly cinematic symphonic music. Audiences of all ages will experience the orchestra in full color: expressive, joyful, and filled with wonder.
Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Studio Ghibli in Concert
Immerse yourself into the magical worlds of Studio Ghibli as Rei Hotoda opens the season with a vibrant celebration of legendary composer Joe Hisaishi’s richly imaginative, enchanting, and breathtakingly cinematic symphonic music. Audiences of all ages will experience the orchestra in full color: expressive, joyful, and filled with wonder.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 7:30pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Jens Lindemann, trumpet
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Arturo Márquez: La Conga del Fuego Nuevo
Wynton Marsalis: Trumpet Concerto
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 3pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Jens Lindemann, trumpet
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Arturo Márquez: La Conga del Fuego Nuevo
Wynton Marsalis: Trumpet Concerto
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Michelle Cann, piano
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Michael Torke: Bright Blue Music
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Respighi: Fountains of Rome
Respighi: Pines of Rome
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11am
Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (Phoenix, AZ)
Symphony Hall
Natasha Paremsky, piano
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Higdon: blue cathedral
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 7:30pm
Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (Phoenix, AZ)
Symphony Hall
Natasha Paremsky, piano
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Higdon: blue cathedral
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 2pm
Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (Phoenix, AZ)
Symphony Hall
Natasha Paremsky, piano
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Higdon: blue cathedral
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 5pm
Ismaili Center
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Arvo Pärt: Fratres for strings and percussion
Marcus Karl Maroney: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra (ROCO Commission, 2016)
Jessica Meyer: As within, So without (ROCO Commissioned World Premiere)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D Major
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2pm
Ismaili Center
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Arvo Pärt: Fratres for strings and percussion
Marcus Karl Maroney: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra (ROCO Commission, 2016)
Jessica Meyer: As within, So without (ROCO Commissioned World Premiere)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D Major
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Cecilia Violetta López, soprano
Laurel Semerdjian, mezzo-soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Tim LeFebvre, baritone
Dr. Stephanie Council, Director, UNLV Community Chorus
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Handel: Messiah
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Travis Cloer, vocalist
Michelle Johnson, vocalist
Jonathan Karrant, vocalist
Naomi Mauro, vocalist
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
A Very Vegas Christmas
New Music Director Rei Hotoda brings her energy to this reimagined edition of one of Las Vegas’ beloved holiday traditions. The Las Vegas Philharmonic, in collaboration with surprise guests and a lot of glitz and glamour, will usher in the yuletide season in a musically spectacular way!
Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 2pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Travis Cloer, vocalist
Michelle Johnson, vocalist
Jonathan Karrant, vocalist
Naomi Mauro, vocalist
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
A Very Vegas Christmas
New Music Director Rei Hotoda brings her energy to this reimagined edition of one of Las Vegas’ beloved holiday traditions. The Las Vegas Philharmonic, in collaboration with surprise guests and a lot of glitz and glamour, will usher in the yuletide season in a musically spectacular way!
Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 3pm
Silva Concert Hall
Camille Ortiz, soprano
Eugene Symphony Chorus
Naomi Castro, Director
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Handel: Messiah
Saturday, January 16, 2027 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
William Hagen, violin
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
James Lee III: Exalted Aspirations (world premiere)
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto, Op.64
Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Op. 68
Saturday, February 13, 2027 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Joyce Yang, piano
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Huang Ruo: Folk Songs for Orchestra
R. Strauss: Don Juan, Op. 20
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2, Op. 18
Saturday, February 20, 2027 at 7:30pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
Warkentine Culture & Arts Center
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor/Piano
Walter Saul: New Fresno Philharmonic Commission
Dinuk Wijeratne: Gajaga Vannama
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 (Reformation)
Sunday, February 21, 2027 at 3pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
Warkentine Culture & Arts Center
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor/Piano
Walter Saul: New Fresno Philharmonic Commission
Dinuk Wijeratne: Gajaga Vannama
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 (Reformation)
Saturday, March 20, 2027 at 7:30pm
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Michelle Cann, piano
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor"
Juan Pablo Contreras: Alma Monarca
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Sunday, March 21, 2027 at 3pm
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Michelle Cann, piano
Rei Hotoda, conductor
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor"
Juan Pablo Contreras: Alma Monarca
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Saturday, April 3, 2027 at 7:30pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Qing Hou, violin
Lawrence Neuman, viola
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Mary Kouyoumdjian: New Commission Fresno Philharmonic Commission
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
Sunday, April 4, 2027 at 3pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
Qing Hou, violin
Lawrence Neuman, viola
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Mary Kouyoumdjian: New Commission Fresno Philharmonic Commission
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
April 15, 2026 at 5:30pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
The Barn at San Joaquin River Parkway
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Now in its sixth year, the Fresno Philharmonic’s Farm to Fiddle Dinner Party celebrates the richness of the region through an inspired blend of music, cuisine, and community. The evening begins with curated selections of local wine and beverages, accompanied by seasonal hors d'oeuvres. Guests will enjoy an intimate performance by Music Director Rei Hotoda and members of the Fresno Philharmonic strings before gathering for a seated farm-style dinner featuring locally sourced specialties.
The night will also feature a fast-paced and lively live auction, where attendees can bid on one-of-a-kind experiences and exclusive items, adding an exciting twist to the evening’s festivities.
Set amid the natural beauty of the San Joaquin River Parkway, this signature event supports the Fresno Philharmonic’s music and education programs throughout the Central Valley.
Saturday, May 1, 2027 at 7:30pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
William Saroyan Theatre
Celena Shafer, soprano
Brian Giebler, tenor
Benjamin Taylor, baritone
Fresno Master Chorale,
Anna Hamre, director
YOOF Philharmonic, Thomas Loewenheim, conductor
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Condcutor
Gabriela Ortiz: Kauyumari
Franck: Le chasseur maudit
Orff: Carmina Burana
Sunday, May 2, 2027 at 3pm
Fresno Philharmonic (Fresno, CA)
William Saroyan Theatre
Celena Shafer, soprano
Brian Giebler, tenor
Benjamin Taylor, baritone
Fresno Master Chorale,
Anna Hamre, director
YOOF Philharmonic, Thomas Loewenheim, conductor
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Condcutor
Gabriela Ortiz: Kauyumari
Franck: Le chasseur maudit
Orff: Carmina Burana
Saturday, May 22, 2027 at 7:30pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic (Las Vegas, NV)
The Smith Center
Preston Spisak, timpani
Jauvon Gilliam, timpani
Rei Hotoda, Music Director & Conductor
Mozart: Symphony No.30 in D major, K.202/186b
James Oliverio: ‘Dynasty’ Concerto for Two Timpani
Gabriela Ortiz: Kauyumari
Viet Cuong: Next Week’s Trees
Ravel: Boléro