The milestone season will explore community, innovation and the future of orchestral music in north metro Atlanta
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (JCSO) recently shared details about its upcoming 20th anniversary season. Titled “BECOMING,” the year-long celebration will honor the orchestra’s legacy while advancing an ambitious vision for its future.
Founded in 2006 by Wayne Baughman, JCSO has grown into one of north metro Atlanta’s leading cultural institutions, serving audiences through professional performance, education and community partnerships.
According to a statement from the JCSO, Season 20 arrives at a pivotal moment in the organization’s history, honoring two decades of growth while looking ahead under Music Director Henry Cheng and Executive Director Philip Kim.
“BECOMING is about more than a season of concerts,” said Cheng. “It reflects our belief that orchestras must continue to evolve alongside the communities they serve.”
Exploring connection through music
JCSO’s BECOMING, reflects a central question: what can a 21st-century orchestra become, and how can it best serve its community?
The season will explore this through a strong foundation of masterworks, alongside innovative programming, new commissions, interdisciplinary collaboration, educational initiatives and expanded geographic reach across north metro Atlanta.
The season opens on October 3 with Outdoor Pops: Soundtrack of Us, a free outdoor concert at Newtown Park in Johns Creek. Designed as a community-wide celebration, the program will feature iconic popular music and beloved favorites in an accessible setting for audiences of all ages.
Bringing families, neighbors, and generations together, the concert will celebrate the shared soundtrack of a community and mark the beginning of the 20th anniversary season.
On October 9, JCSO will present Tchaikovsky + Stravinsky at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s Byers Theatre, marking an expansion of the orchestra’s regional presence.
Featuring acclaimed violinist Simon Zhu (winner of the 57th International Violin Competition “Premio Paganini”) and the Michael O’Neal Singers, the program will celebrate 20 years of exceptional orchestral artistry through timeless masterpieces, world-class guest artists and inspiring new discoveries.
The evening will include Christopher Tin’s “Sogno di Volare,” “Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite,” creating a powerful artistic centerpiece for the season.
On November 14, the innovative Soundcraft Symphonic Experience will advance JCSO’s Music and Technology initiative. Centered on Terry Riley’s “In C,” this project explores where music, creativity and technology come together.
Through interactive workshops led in partnership with digital creator JazziiRed, students will help build responsive musical environments within Minecraft, culminating in a live performance experience where technology, imagination and orchestral music intersect in real time.
Continuing the season
The season continues on December 5, with Holiday Pops: From Our Family to Yours at Innovation Academy in Alpharetta. Featuring the Christmas Voices of Johns Creek and new arrangements by Composer-in-Residence Michael Duff, the concert will celebrate the sounds, memories and traditions that bring communities together during the holiday season.
Blending beloved seasonal favorites with fresh musical perspectives, the program “invites audiences to gather, celebrate and create memories that last long after the music ends.”
The season concludes on April 10, 2027, with Beethoven’s Fifth & Mahlon Berv World Premiere, presented as part of JCSO’s Music as Healing initiative.
This spring program pairs Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony with a new work by Young Composer-in-Residence Mahlon Berv, created in collaboration with Full Radius Dance. Together, music and movement explore themes of accessibility, embodiment and human experience, creating a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion to the anniversary season.
“Season 20 reflects our commitment to pushing artistic and institutional boundaries,” said Executive Director Philip Kim. “We are building an orchestra that is not only excellent on stage, but continually evolving in how it serves, connects and expands what orchestral music can be in our community.”
Education and community engagement
While performances form the public face of the season, BECOMING also reflects JCSO’s broader, ongoing commitment to education and community engagement.
The orchestra continues to serve thousands of students annually through its Meet the Orchestra program, school partnerships, artist residencies and innovative initiatives throughout Fulton County and north metro Atlanta. Additional community programs and collaborations further extend access to live orchestral music beyond the concert hall.
Over the past twenty years, Johns Creek has grown into one of the most dynamic and diverse communities in the Southeast. BECOMING reflects that evolution, bringing together world-class artistry, education, innovation and community connection.
As the orchestra enters its third decade, this season stands as both a celebration and a commitment: honoring the people who built the organization while reaffirming its continued evolution as a cultural institution for generations to come.
More about the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra
Now in its 20th season, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra provides world-class musical enrichment through concerts, educational programming and special events.
Founded by Music Director Emeritus J. Wayne Baughman, and under the new direction of Music Director Henry Cheng, the orchestra is composed of professional musicians from across metro Atlanta and remains deeply rooted in serving the cultural life of the Johns Creek community.
For more information about Season 20: BECOMING, visit johnscreeksymphony.org.
