The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association 2026–2027 Season Overview
Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association performers on stage during a concert in the Columbia River Gorge.
CGOA Announces It’s 2026–2027 Season.
CGOA’s four ensembles are about to get busy! Across choral, orchestral, jazz, and theater programming, the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is lining up a 2026–2027 season packed with something for nearly every taste: centuries-spanning choral journeys, Russian orchestral drama, a full year of big band swing, and an exciting new production from CGOA's Stages Musical Theatre. Here's a first look at what's coming, and trust us, you'll want to grab your calendar.
The Jazz Collective Big Band kicks off the season with five performances that showcase the many sides of big band music, from a concert experience to evenings made for dancing. The season opens with End of Summer Big Bands Royale! on September 10, a big band showcase alongside the NoPo Big Band. October 23, the music moves to Cascade Locks for Moonlight Over the Gorge, an evening of music and dancing under the stars. My Funny Valentine: A Big Band Sweetheart’s Dance on February 14th is followed by Generations in Swing, a joint performance April 3 with The Dalles High School Jazz Band. The season wraps with Full Bloom Swing on May 2. Five performances, five chances to experience the energy, excitement, and enduring appeal of big band music.
Not far behind, Gorge Sinfonietta launches an exciting new chapter with the arrival of its new conductor, Lars Campbell, making his debut with the ensemble this season. Under Lars’ leadership, the season unfolds across three thrilling musical arcs. Landscape opens with the sweeping grandeur of Sibelius’ Third Symphony, alongside Vaughan Williams’ folk-infused Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 and Dvořák’s fiery Hussite Overture. Russian Spring delves into lesser-known gems by Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich, and Tchaikovsky - inviting audiences to discover the unexpected sides of three giants of Russian orchestral music. The season closes with Storytelling, featuring Maria Schneider’s evocative Carlos Drummond de Andrade Stories, Copland’s rollicking Billy the Kid Suite, and William Grant Still’s Wood Notes. With a new conductor at the helm and a season full of discovery, Gorge Sinfonietta is looking forward to an exciting new chapter.
In December, Voci Community Choir performs its annual holiday program, Snowy Vistas, a beloved favorite that pulls the audience right into the singing across three performances. The spring program, Time and Transformation, traces choral music's evolution from medieval sound worlds to bold contemporary voices. The final performance of the season, Voices Unbound, is a program celebrating a diverse range of composers and themes of identity and connection.
And come spring, CGOA's Stages Musical Theatre takes the spotlight with its production at the Columbia Center for the Arts running May 7/8/9, May 14/15/16, and May 21/22. Details on the show are still coming together, so stay tuned; we can't wait to see you audition when casting opens this spring!
Mark your calendars! There's a lot happening ahead, and it starts sooner than you think!
The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and presenting musical performances of the highest quality in the Columbia River Gorge region. With a commitment to artistic excellence and education, CGOA brings the joy of music to audiences of all ages.
