Phoenix Symphony
Audio By Carbonatix
The Phoenix Symphony’s 2025-26 season is underway, and it already brought the house down on Oct. 13 with Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton.
The symphony, and composer Elfman himself singing a few numbers, played to an enthusiastic and colorful crowd that could’ve detoured from a fancon, attired in goth garb that nodded to “Beetlejuice,” “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and other favorites.
If that doesn’t sound like the typical image of a symphony, that’s by design. The Phoenix Symphony prides itself on its diverse programming, actively seeking input from its leaders, musicians, patrons and even those who have never attended to appeal to a wide range of demographics — both to retain longtime supporters and attract new audiences.
“I think the number of voices in the process is a real asset because they represent our community,” says Phoenix Symphony Vice President of Operations and Artistic Planning Christopher Powell. “Those voices are telling us that the Symphony is for everyone.”
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A method to the musical madness
If you think you’re not a symphony fan, think again.
“Symphonic music covers so many areas,” Powell says, “especially these days with movie scores.”
He notes that their research shows that while classics and pops are still the top sellers, people are “aching for” film scores, so they added one more film this season, bringing the total to four. They include screenings of “Home Alone” (Nov. 28-30), “How to Train Your Dragon” (Jan. 17-18, 2026), “Back to the Future” (March 7-8, 2026) and “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” (May 22-24).
Powell also points out that the symphony appeals to different generations, which is reflected in the current schedule.
Composer Steve Hackman will be back in May with a fusion of masterpieces in Igor DAMN Stravinsky, combining the music of the powerful puppet ballet Petrouchka and the Pulitzer Prize-winning album by Kendrick Lamar. In previous seasons, his shows have combined Beethoven and Beyoncé and the music of Gustav Mahler with Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. in “The Resurrection Mixtape.”
Other shows include Summer Breeze: Yacht Rock Classics, Disco Divas and the music of cultural icons like Elton John, Dolly Parton, Frank Sinatra and (checks notes) Rick Steves?
Yes, the gregarious travel guru will appear Nov. 14-16 with Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey, billed as a “musical journey across Europe.” It will feature 19th-century anthems by Beethoven, Wagner and others.
Before that, the symphony will celebrate Día de los Muertos Nov. 1-2 with Emmy Award-winning actor and vocalist Mauricio Martínez and the Arizona State University Mariachi Ensemble.
There is a method to this musical madness. The symphony partnered with national arts research firm WolfBrown to understand what audiences want and how to attract new ticket buyers.
It appears to be working: When Phoenix Symphony President and CEO Peter Kjome asked audience members at the Danny Elfman/Tim Burton event to clap if it was their first time at the symphony, the hall roared with applause.
Kjome says that research also showed a thirst for the Coffee Classics Friday morning concerts, which were revived, as well as for more interaction and education with the musicians.
“It’s not only the terrific music on the stage,” he notes, “but it’s also the entire concert experience.”
In addition, the Symphony for All initiative ensures that anyone who wants to see a show can afford it, thanks to discounts and free performances with subsets of musicians at venues including hospitals, long-term care centers and facilities serving those experiencing homelessness.
Some performances also take place at the Musical Instrument Museum, Madison Performing Arts Center, Mesa Arts Center and other places that some find easier to access than downtown Phoenix’s Symphony Hall.
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Search for a leader wraps up
The Symphony has maintained its quality and reputation even without a musical director since May of 2024.
“We have a growing national reputation and we’re attracting musicians from across the country,” Kjome says.
He adds, “The amazing musicians we have coming here is a testament to the progress we’re making, and it’s a testament to the importance of the choice of the music director, to have a person who’s right for our symphony and right for our community to come and join the extraordinary musicians of our symphony.”
The search for a new musical director started in early 2023, when Tito Muñoz announced he was leaving after the 2023-24 season. A committee of nine—including five musicians, three board members, and one staff member — was formed to find a new leader.
Morris “Mo” Stein, the Symphony’s board chair and head of the musical director search committee, says they started with a “wish list” of about 100 names. They quickly winnowed it to about 50, then narrowed it to 13.
Each of the final 13 candidates spent a week with the symphony; all have guest-conducted.
Stein confirmed that the search is down to the final three, and says the board hopes to have a recommendation for the position by the end of the year.
“We spent a lot of time talking about diversity and equity in our process, and that was very important to us,” Stein says.
The committee took into account each person’s history, experience and what they would bring to the symphony and the Phoenix community, Stein states.
“Our message isn’t just about playing great music,” Stein says, adding that it’s also about connecting people.
Powell nails that point when he says, “The wonderful part about going to an orchestral concert, for me, is that I love seeing the grandparent with the grandchild — spanning generations but enjoying the exact same thing at the same time. Getting to have an experience together as a family is how many of us became lovers of classical music. Music brings everyone together.”
