Signature Symphony’s New Season Breaks the Mold
he vibes will be high for the Signature Symphony’s 48th season.
Casual on the surface, the 2026-27 season, titled Just Vibin’, aims to connect audiences across generations with programs that emphasize how music is experienced. Signature Symphony Artistic Director Scott Seaton says a symphony performance should be felt as much as it is heard.
“It’s really a season about the power of orchestral music to create atmosphere and build these different sound worlds that bring people together,” explains Seaton. “It isn’t about fitting music into categories, but about experiencing its energy and being present in the sound.”
That idea carries through the entire season lineup, beginning with its first concert, New World, New Voices, in September. In it, audiences will hear Duke Ellington’s Three Black Kings, a work rooted in history and storytelling.
Seaton points to the January concert, Bruckner and Video Game Soundscapes, as a defining example of the season’s approach.
“Anton Bruckner, one of my favorite composers, created these towering cathedrals of tone and immersive landscapes, and I thought that would pair really well with video game scores,” says Seaton.
“The vibe is powerful and fun. Epic and playful,” says Katie Sawicki, Director of Development and Operations for the Signature Symphony. “We’ve got the music from video games all the way to epic Carmina Burana. It really spans the works.”
The season embraces large-scale traditional works with Carmina Burana in March. Seaton describes it as a massive entity that unleashes an infectious rhythm. It promises to bring together choruses, soloists, and one of the largest groups of performers the Symphony has assembled in years.
Community remains a central theme for Just Vibin’, as events like Christmas in Tulsa and Tulsa Sings! Totally ‘80s continue to serve as shared cultural touchpoints for audiences.
“Both concerts help remind us that some of the most powerful musical moments are the ones we share as a community and can have this incredible exchange of energies back and forth,” Seaton says.
Whether classical or contemporary, each program is designed to create a sense of immersion and connection. It is a willingness to rethink expectations that is central to the Symphony’s mission.
“Trying out new things, I think, is what the Signature Symphony is all about,” says Seaton.
“I always joke that the rumor is the symphony is boring, and that’s definitely not the case,” says Sawicki.
“Just Vibin’ is a great opportunity for families from different generations to experience something together,” she says. “It introduces younger audiences to orchestral music while also giving older generations a chance to appreciate what their kids and grandkids are listening to. The shared experience builds a deeper appreciation for each other’s music.”
In that way, Just Vibin’ reflects the Signature Symphony’s mission to create an environment where audiences don’t have to know the music to enjoy it and can vibe with it in their own way.
