Eugene Symphony 'making thoughtful adjustments to ensure relevance, resilience'

When one thinks of the symphony, tradition comes to mind – the third Thursday of the month at 8 p.m., as it had been here in Eugene for decades. But tradition alone won’t sustain us.

As one patron recently criticized in my inbox, a note compelling enough to inspire this guest column: “Trimming the core series from 9 to 8 feels like a flat note in an otherwise major key. Pops programs have their place, but lean too far and the symphony becomes a jukebox, not a jewel box. Please, don’t trade Beethoven for Broadway. We need bold repertoire, not just crowd-pleasers.”

I hear that. The Eugene Symphony’s identity has been built on bold repertoire and artistic depth, and that identity is not going away. But as we shape the symphony’s next chapter, we are making thoughtful adjustments, not to let go of our legacy, but to ensure its relevance and resilience for the future.

One of those adjustments is indeed a shift from nine to eight concerts in our core Symphonic Series. This decision reflects a larger strategy, one that responds to shifting audience behaviors, real fiscal pressures and a commitment to serving more people, more meaningfully.

The reduction of one symphonic concert does not mean less music or less impact. In fact, the services previously allocated to that ninth performance and rehearsals have been put to work supporting a growing portfolio of community engagement efforts, including the debut of our Side-by-Side concert with the Eugene Springfield Youth Symphony and the expansion of our Family Music Adventures to four free performances in the Hult Center Lobby.

We’re also adjusting how we present the music. Beginning this season, we’re delaying our Masterworks opener to October and introducing additional matinee performances throughout the 2025/26 season. These changes are designed to welcome more people, including those who may not be able to attend evening performances, into the concert experience.

And, yes, we’re expanding our Blockbuster Series, designed as musical on-ramps that invite new audiences into the concert hall. This season includes “Star Wars; Return of the Jedi” in concert; “The Music of Journey;” the holiday favorite “Elf” complete with the film; and “Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony.” These aren’t gimmicks, they are gateways. And let’s be honest: Can anyone really argue with a Dolly Parton show here in Eugene?

This isn’t about trading Beethoven for Broadway. It’s about ensuring we have the resources, and the relevance, to continue performing Beethoven, Verdi, Mahler, Bruckner, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky at the highest level.

We’re evolving, not eroding. This makes the Eugene Symphony special.

This season – and every season to come – will be grounded in artistic excellence, while opening new doors. If you love this symphony, I hope you’ll walk through those doors with us.