BOISE PHIL ANNOUNCES 65TH SEASON: “AMERICA AT 250” CELEBRATE AMERICAN COMPOSERS AND THREE IDAHO PREMIERES.

Boise, ID – The Boise Phil is thrilled to announce its 65th season, "America at 250," a vibrant celebration of American composers and the rich musical heritage of the United States. This season also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Boise Phil Master Chorale (BPMC), adding an extra layer of significance to this special year.
 
The America at 250 theme underscores the orchestra’s commitment to celebrating the nation’s musical legacy. Each classical program opens with a piece by an American composer, including John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, Jennifer Higdon’s ethereal blue cathedral, and a tribute to late Boise composer David Alan Earnest.
 
The 2025-26 Season will feature seven mainstage Symphonic Series concerts, performed at the Morrison Center, each opening with a work by an American composer, showcasing the breadth and depth of American musical talent. From iconic film scores to innovative contemporary pieces, the season promises to be a journey through the sounds of a nation.
 
"I'm thrilled to share the 2025-26 Season with our community," says Music Director Eric Garcia, "In creating it, I was honored to celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary with a series of dynamic American openers - including a tribute to Boise’s own David Alan Earnest. We also mark the 50th anniversary of our Master Chorale with Orff’s exhilarating audience favorite, Carmina Burana, and shine a spotlight on Boise Phil’s principal cellist, Philip Kettler, in Saint-Saëns’s gorgeous Cello Concerto No. 1.   Throughout the season, the Boise Phil will explore beloved classics by Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Respighi, Tchaikovsky, and many more – joined, as always, by an inspiring roster of world-class guest artists. It’s a season that celebrates our nation’s rich musical heritage and the remarkable talent of our community, and I can’t wait to share these experiences with our audiences."
 
"For the 2025-26 Season, we are excited to be bringing three Idaho premieres to Boise audiences," says Executive Director Brandon VanWaeyenberghe. "Two shows in particular I am looking forward to seeing on stage, which will see the Boise Phil expanding into new genres. With Sailing, we celebrate the music of the 1970s and 80s with a full symphony orchestra. We are also pleased to welcome Boise-native Morgan James to join the Boise Phil in this second-ever run of this program. We are also thrilled to bring, for the first time in Idaho, the program Music of Queen. I have worked with this group with orchestras in Houston and Charlotte, and I know they will get the crowd on their feet and singing. This one-night-only event is something not to be missed. Our third Idaho premiere is Home Alone, pairing the iconic holiday film with the score played by a live orchestra. This title has been requested several times, and we are pleased to bring it to Boise to start the 2025 holiday season."
 
​​The seven-concert Symphonic Series balances beloved masterworks with contemporary voices. Highlights include Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Respighi’s epic Pines of Rome.
 
Symphonic Series, Performed at Morrison Center:
 

• Mozart & Tchaikovsky 4 (October 4 & 5, 2025)
  The season opens with John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 (featuring Bella Hristova), and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.
  
  
• Mendelssohn’s Italian (November 8 & 9, 2025)
  This program includes Clarice Assad’s Baião n’ Blues, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor (with Joyce Yang), and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony.
  
  
• Home Alone (film with live orchestra) (November 29 & 30, 2025)
  A special holiday treat featuring the beloved film with John Williams’ score performed live.
  
  
• Ravel & Strauss (January 24 & 25, 2026)
  This concert honors Boise composer David Alan Earnest with his overture Turbulence, and features Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 (with Philip Kettler), Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier Suite.
  
  
• Carmina Burana (with BPMC) (March 14 & 15, 2026)
  Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Boise Phil Master Chorale, this program features Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral and Orff’s Carmina Burana.
  
  
• Sailing: Soft Rock Hits of the 70s and 80s (May 2 & 3, 2026)
  A nostalgic journey through soft rock hits of the 70s and 80s, featuring Boise Native Morgan James, Doug Wamble and John Scarpulla.
  
  
• Pines of Rome (season finale) (May 16 & 17, 2026)
  The season concludes with Michael Torke’s Javelin, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (with Stewart Goodyear), and Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome.

 
The Boise Phil is committed to serving the entire Treasure Valley and the greater Idaho region, offering a diverse range of musical experiences that enrich and inspire. In addition to the Symphonic Series, the 2025-2026 Season will include:
 

• Water Music: (September 8, 2025 at Idaho Shakespeare Amphitheatre)
• Handel’s Messiah: (December 19 & 20, 2025 at Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise)
• The Music of Queen (February 7, 2026 at Morrison Center)

 
Season subscriptions are now available, offering a range of benefits, including priority access, preferred seating, and discounts. Single tickets go on sale August 1, 2025. For more information about the 2025-2026 Season and subscription options, please visit boisephil.org.
 
For more information or to schedule an interview please contact;
Timothy O’Donnell, c. 208.329.0876 e. [email protected]
 
About the Boise Phil:
For 65 years, the Boise Phil has served as the Treasure Valley’s premier orchestral institution, delivering world-class performances and fostering community through music. The orchestra engages over 30,000 annual patrons through its mainstage, education, and outreach programs.