Landmark Season Celebrates America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th with World Premieres, Iconic Masterworks, and the Spirit of Discovery
The National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) announces its 2026 Summer Music Festival and season theme, “American Adventures,” a musical journey through the landscapes, stories, and spirit that define the United States. Timed to honor two extraordinary milestones—the nation’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th—the season invites audiences to experience the sound of discovery, the open road, and the enduring promise of adventure.
“Each concert is a salute to the adventurous spirit that exemplifies America over the last 250 years,” says National Repertory Orchestra CEO Dave DePeters.
Launching June 20 with “Dreams of the New World,” the season spans the full arc of American musical identity, from beloved classical touchstones to bold new commissions. Audiences will hear Aaron Copland’s Rodeo and Symphony No. 3 alongside works by Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin — composers who shaped the American sound — as well as contemporary American musical pioneers like John Williams.
Music Director Michael Stern described the season as a vibrant conversation between past and present. “American music is not one style—it is a kaleidoscopic experience, just like the American story itself. Music is the reflection of America, shaped by the spirit of exploration, place, and possibility.”
World Premieres: Investing in the Future of American Music
Central to this season’s vision is a commitment to the composers of tomorrow. The NRO has commissioned two new works that deepen the season’s thematic resonance and affirm the orchestra’s mission to invest in the future of classical music.
A Fanfare for Colorado’s Sesquicentennial by Leigha Amick — Co-commissioned in honor of Colorado’s 150th anniversary, this celebratory fanfare will receive its premiere performance on the exact date of the state’s sesquicentennial, making it a landmark moment in Colorado cultural history.
A New Work by Tanner Porter — A sweeping musical tribute to the Colorado River, Porter’s newly commissioned work will make its world premiere at the NRO’s season finale, offering a powerful reflection on one of the American West’s most iconic and vital natural wonders.
New Experiences & Signature Performances
The 2026 season introduces the Music, Mix & Mingle series, a fresh concert format blending pre-concert cocktails and social connection with an intimate string ensemble performance inspired by the elegance and atmosphere popularized by Bridgerton, followed by a one-hour full-orchestra program. Perfect for date night or an elevated evening out with friends, the series debuts June 24 with “American Landscapes,” taking audiences on an auditory journey across the country—from the desert expanses of Mason Bates’ Desert Transport to the sweeping emotional terrain of Adam Schoenberg’s American Symphony.
Opening week crescendos with “A Night at the Opera” on June 27, as Michael Stern leads the orchestra alongside the Summit Choral Society and Central City Opera soloists in a powerful program spanning Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and more.
The season continues with beloved audience traditions, including the live-to-film presentation of John Williams’ Jurassic Park in Concert on July 18, as well as a wide array of free community performances throughout Breckenridge and Summit County.
A Can’t Miss Summer of Music in the Mountains
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Breckenridge, the National Repertory Orchestra’s 2026 season connects audiences to the full sweep of the American experience — past, present, and future. “Performances are curated to allow the listener to experience, first-hand, American ingenuity, American exploration, American experiences, and American stories, both familiar and unknown, told through the expression of music,” DePeters added. “It is a unique and wonderful collection of music that, as always, has something for everyone.” From world premiere commissions to iconic favorites and immersive concert programming, this landmark season offers an unforgettable summer of music in the mountains. Tickets and passes are on sale now at NROMusic.org.
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PHOTO: This year, the NRO is proud to partner with local photographers whose work embodies the theme “American Adventures.” Andrew Maguire is a Breckenridge, Colorado–based photographer and director known for crafting cinematic, human-centered stories rooted in the outdoor lifestyle. Blending Detroit grit with Rocky Mountain spirit, his work celebrates authentic connection, adventure, and the real people who move through wild places with purpose.