The Cincinnati Pops 2026-27 season continues the orchestra’s celebration of American music with a broadened palette of styles, artists and experiences.
Under dynamo music director John Morris Russell, known as JMR, the Pops welcomes and amplifies American music from its roots in Black and Appalachian traditions to hip-hop, jazz and salsa, and of course, the big screen.
JMR has been a tireless advocate for breaking down barriers in old-school pops programming, working with underserved communities to ensure their voices are heard and seen. Next year’s schedule includes internationally acclaimed artists and rising regional talent in concert experiences that promise to engage the eyes and the ears.
“The Pops has always been about great American music, brought to life in super creative and engaging ways,’ JMR wrote to CityBeat. “From Broadway to Hollywood, bluegrass to hip-hop, the Pops plays it all.”
The Pops kicks off its season on Sept. 5 with a tenth anniversary celebration of the film “La La Land” with a screening and live accompaniment by the Pops orchestra and a jazz band led by principal guest conductor Damon Gupton—who also appears in the movie!
Film experiences include “Psycho” with Sarah Hicks leading Bernard Hermann’s unforgettable screeching violins for the ultimate Halloween experience on Oct. 27. Then, Nov. 27 and 28 offer Disney’s “The Muppets Christmas Carol” with Pops assistant conductor Dupo Shen, and to bring in the new year, Stephen Spielberg’s “Hook” features a John Williams score, led by Pops assistant conductor Alex Amsel.
Tony-award winning artist Lea Salonga takes the stage Sept. 12 and 13 for an evening of Broadway and film songs with the Pops orchestra led by JMR. Before singing the roles of Jasmine in Disney’s “Aladdin” and “Mulan,” Salonga starred in the Broadway hits “Miss Saigon” and “Les Misérables.”
Two weeks later, the Pops offer a feast for the ears and the eyes with “Orchestral Canvas,” a multimedia concert pairing orchestral classics with famous artworks choreographed by Cincinnati’s acclaimed production company Lightborne. The program includes Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and Respighi’s “Pines of Rome.”
JMR says “Canvas” is an immersive experience with a dazzling mélange of popular works of art and brilliant orchestral showpieces.”
“It has been a real joy working with the Lightborne team to create something unique that you can’t experience anywhere else,” he continues. “But that’s like most everything we do at the Pops.”
Holiday tradition continues with the Pops Christmas concerts Dec. 11-13, featuring Grammy winner Gaby Moreno, “The Pops Holiday Chorale.”
The Pops continues to explore daring synchronisms between European classical forms and today’s most celebrated Black artists. Next season brings the return of Steve Hackman with his latest symphony fusion “Stravinsky X Kendrick Lamar,” meshing Stravinsky’s score for the ballet Petrushka with tracks from Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning album “DAMN.”
Hackman’s website states that each work offers “a challenging commentary on the human soul … as Petrushka and Kung-Fu Kenny struggle with their identities and realities.”
Kendrick Lamar does not appear, but the production will feature vocal soloists and instrumentalists.
In March, Pops Principal Guest Conductor Damon Gupton returns to lead an evening of Billy Joel hits featuring singer, pianist and composer Tony DeSare.
The Pops season concludes in April with celebrations of America’s pastime and two of America’s musical foundations. Leading off on April 3 is “Play Ball!,” a concert that promises a musical journey from warm-ups to the ninth-inning finale.
On April 17, the annual Classical Roots concert presents one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the Pops calendar. Next year marks Classical Roots’ 26th anniversary, highlighting Black music’s many influences and contributions to every aspect of American music.
JMR will be on the podium, joined by resident conductor Jason Alexander Holmes, members of the CSO’s Nouveau Program for young musicians of color, and the rousing Classical Root Community Choir. The joyful energy is sure to raise the roof.
The season concludes April 30-May 2 with the next installment of “American Originals,” the Pops’ tribute to American Roots music. Bluegrass takes center stage with leading artists who will more than likely raise the roof again. Dynamic fiddler Michael Cleveland and his Grammy-award winning band Flamekeeper are joined by Sister Sadie, 2020 International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer of the Year.
“Each season at The Pops we endeavor to capture the essence of America’s dizzyingly diverse and intensely imaginative popular music scene, to create orchestral programs that inspire,” says JMR. “We can’t wait to share these programs with all of Cincinnati.”