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 2026/27 Dates:
Rhythm & Fire (Opening Night)
Music from Tradition Performed with IntensitySaturday, October 3, 2026
Bartók, Dvořák, and Ligeti drive an evening of rhythmic energy, with BSO’s own Principal Second Violin Jackson Snead in Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen.
Music in Color
From Canvas to Sound: Pictures ReimaginedSaturday, November 7, 2026
Sibelius paints shimmering bold color, featuring Anastasia Petrunina in “The River,” with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Voyage in Bloom
From Stillness to Radiance: Mozart & BrahmsSaturday, March 20, 2027
From Corigliano’s stillness to Brahms’ radiance with Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante featuring BSO’s own Concertmaster Julia Haney and Principal Viola Esra Ierna Arin.
Echoes of Mexico
Mariachi NightsSaturday, April 10, 2027
Featuring Mariachi Garibaldi with favorites like La Bamba, Huapango, Danzón No. 2, and ¡Viva México!
Sounds of Discovery
A Journey Beyond the HorizonSaturday, May 8, 2027
Closing in grand style, music by Copland, Hummel, and Dvořák features David Pittel in Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto and Dvořák’s New World Symphony.
Includes:
Cultural Dining Experience (Strongly encouraged, but optional)
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:
3:30-4:00pm (depending on assigned location)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, CAConcert Intermission:
Approx. 20 minutes — snacks and water providedChaperones:
1 FREE chaperone per 10 students
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make the BSO NEXT program possible.
