Signature Symphony at TCC is taking audiences on a musical journey down America’s most famous highway. The Route 66 Playlist season, which opened in September with Tulsa’s King Cabbage Brass Band, connects the spirit of the Mother Road with the diversity of music inspired by it.
Signature Symphony Artistic Director Scott Seaton says the theme connects naturally to Tulsa and the upcoming Route 66 centennial.
“It just made sense with the Route 66 impact in Tulsa. It made sense to highlight something that has such a monumental significance on 20th century America,” says Seaton.
Each concert throughout the season highlights a different stop on the legendary highway. In January, Copland and the Wild West features cowboy songs and folk melodies, while March’s Route 66 to Hollywood showcases familiar favorites from the silver screen.
“Route 66 is basically just a road, but when you travel it, you run into all kinds of music, and you play all kinds of music in your car,” Seaton says. “It’s like a mix of all the quirky, unique sounds you find along the way. We wanted the season to capture that vibe— something you don’t always hear in other Route 66 concerts.”
While much of the music this season is American, Seaton emphasizes that the playlist reflects the country’s cultural spectrum.
“Traveling Route 66 is like taking a trip through a giant cultural mix, and even like traveling around the world itself,” Seaton says. “As you drive, you pass through small towns, big cities, and everything in between, each with its own flavor, stories, and music. That blend of experiences and varied geography is what makes this storied route so special, and we wanted the music to reflect that journey.”
The season continues in December with Christmas in Tulsa, a Signature Symphony tradition Seaton calls “an icon.”
“Every Christmas in Tulsa concert has a blend of the familiar and maybe an opportunity here and there to experience something of music in that realm you don’t know.”
Holiday programming also includes a new family movie matinee with a live orchestral performance of the score to The Snowman. Seaton says the smaller orchestration makes it a natural first step into combining movies and live music for Tulsa audiences.
Later concerts will carry the Route 66 theme westward, culminating in seasonal favorite, Tulsa Sings! – America @250. Along the way, audiences can expect guest artists ranging from internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel to renowned vocalist Scott Coulter, to rising violin star Maya Anjali Buchanan.
Katie Sawicki, Signature Symphony Director of Development and Operations, says the season is possible thanks to strong community support.
“Much of our funding comes from our wonderful and generous supporters. It’s really made possible by those individual patrons who come and enjoy the concerts and make Signature Symphony part of their giving,” says Sawicki.
She adds that being rooted in Tulsa gives the Symphony a unique connection with its community.
“We’re a family. We do important work, but we don’t want to do it alone. Because all our musicians are from the Tulsa area, we understand our community and the people who come to our concerts,” Sawicki says.
Community support allows Seaton and the orchestra to take artistic risks and shape experiences that feel both innovative and welcoming.
“We are always striving to break down this perceived wall between the orchestra and the audience,” Seaton explains. “We are not afraid to take risks and adapt to the world around us.”
The Route 66 Playlist season continues through Spring 2026 at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education. More information is available at signaturesymphony.org.