MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra is stepping into its 45th season with confidence, gratitude, and a brand‑new music director at the podium. Murfreesboro’s own professional orchestra—stronger today than it has been in years—opens the 2026–2027 season with a spirited chamber performance called The Haunted Chamber at 7:00PM on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Center for the Arts. Brass and woodwinds will fill the historic downtown venue with playful melodies and a touch of mystery, setting the tone for a season built on creativity and community connection.
Barely a week later, the Orchestra shifts from whimsy to patriotism. On Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:00PM, First United Methodist Church hosts the annual VETERANS SALUTE. As TPO regulars know, each one begins with the National Anthem for an evening of pride in America. And yes—if you’re noticing a trend—every concert also begins at 7:00PM sharp.
The holiday spirit arrives next with the CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR at Belle Aire Baptist Church on Thursday, Dec. 3. Sleigh bells, familiar carols, and a full house of families and friends make this one of TPO’s favorite traditions.
Love takes center stage on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2027, when the Orchestra returns to the Center for the Arts for LOVE NOTES, a Valentine‑season chamber concert filled with warmth and charm. Then, on Saturday, March 20, 2027, audiences can enjoy MOZART AND MIMOSAS, a relaxed morning performance celebrating classical favorites with a Southern twist.
These concerts mark the first full season under new Music Director and Conductor Matthew Phelps, a nationally recognized musician whose energy and vision have already made an impact.
TPO Board President Jane McNulty told WGNS that the Orchestra’s turnaround over the past year has been remarkable.
“A year ago, we faced one of the most challenging periods in our history,” McNulty said. After losing donated office space and confronting financial pressures, the organization reorganized, tightened operations, and set an ambitious fundraising goal. “We not only met our goal—we exceeded it,” she said.
Season 44 became a rebuilding year, and the results speak for themselves. Season 45 is fully funded before it begins, partnerships have expanded, and the Orchestra is reaching more people than ever—especially through its Chamber Series at the Center for the Arts in uptown Murfreesboro.
Community support has been the key. Murfreesboro residents, donors, musicians, and volunteers rallied behind the Orchestra, proving once again that the Heart of Tennessee values its cultural institutions. “Ultimately, we applied the basics—hard work, discipline, and smart decision‑making—to move the Orchestra into a stronger position,” McNulty said.
Masterworks Series tickets are $120 for the season, with individual tickets available. Chamber Series tickets are sold through the Center for the Arts. Details are available at TNPhil.org.
With renewed strength, new leadership, and a community that believes in the power of live music, the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra enters Season 45 ready to inspire Murfreesboro once again.
