BSO NEXT brings students from across Kern County together for an unforgettable evening of dining, connection, and live symphonic music. Each BSO Next dinner and concert experience begins with a shared meal at a local community or cultural venue, giving students the opportunity to gather, connect, and engage in conversation before the concert. Along the way, students often explore the spaces that host them, discovering places that are part of Bakersfield’s history and community and enjoying memorable experiences at each location.

After dinner, students attend a live performance by the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra at the Dignity Health Theater, complete with an engaging pre-concert presentation designed especially for them. Registered groups also receive pre- and post-concert learning materials that help students prepare for the performance and continue exploring the music afterward.

By welcoming students from schools and communities across the region—including many who may not otherwise have access to live orchestral performances—BSO NEXT helps young people experience the arts in a way that is approachable, joyful, and deeply rooted in Bakersfield’s cultural life, while encouraging them to discover their own untapped potential.

BSO NEXT 2025/26 Dates:

  • BEETHOVEN, BEETHOVEN, BEETHOVEN!
    Saturday, March 21, 2026
    An all-Beethoven celebration featuring the joyful “Pastoral” Symphony, the heroic Prometheus Overture, and the luminous Violin Concerto performed by award-winning violinistEunice Kim.

  • THE GREAT CLASSICS
    Saturday, April 11, 2026
    Experience timeless beauty with Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture and Horn Concerto No. 4, the graceful Andante Moderato by Florence Price, and Haydn’s brilliant “London” Symphony.

  • EPIC SCORES: THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS (Registration closed)
    Saturday, May 9, 2026
    From Star Wars and Harry Potter to Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Superman, and more, enjoy the cinematic magic of John Williams in a blockbuster season finale.

Includes:

  • Cultural Dining Experience
    A shared meal at a local community or cultural venue, introducing students to Bakersfield’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

  • Live Symphony Concert
    Students experience the excitement and emotion of a live Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra performance, featuring world-class musicians and unforgettable music. The concert includes a fun and interactive pre-concert presentation, offering students an engaging introduction to the evening’s performance and composers.

  • Learning Materials
    Registered groups receive pre- and post-concert learning materials designed to prepare students before the event and inspire curiosity afterward.

Details:

  • Start Time:
    3:30 p.m. (may vary)

  • Dinner Venues:
    Locations vary by concert — examples include local community and cultural spaces. Final locations will be announced to registered groups prior to each event.

  • Concert Venue:
    Dignity Health Theater (formerly Mechanics Bank Theater) 1001 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA

  • Concert Intermission:
    Approx. 20 minutes — snacks and water provided

  • Chaperones:

    1 FREE chaperone per 10 students

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Thank you to our generous sponsors who make the BSO NEXT program possible.