LOS ALAMOS CONCERT ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE
Eighty years ago, gaining entry to a Los Alamos concert required a government-issued pass at the main gate—all for the chance to hear the world’s finest musicians. Today, the Los Alamos Concert Association announces its milestone 80th season, offering world-class musical performances to the public with no security pass required.
In 1946, music lovers outside of Los Alamos who wanted to attend a Los Alamos Concert Association performance were directed to see Dorothy McKibbin at 109 East Palace 48 hours in advance of the concert. The list of names would be reported by telephone to Elmo Morgan, the association’s president, who applied for passes. The passes were kept at the main gate and given to approved music patrons as they entered the town. This was well worth the effort to hear the stunning virtuosity of world-renowned musicians who landed in Los Alamos briefly to perform during their world tours.
For the 80th season, audiences will journey from the ornate Baroque melodies of Marin Marais and the impressionistic delights of Debussy, through classical and romantic masterpieces by Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Salieri, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and more. Attendees will also hear early 20th-century composers, as well as contemporary works.
The spectacular 2026–2027 lineup features five distinct performances, all held at 3:00 PM at the Duane Smith Auditorium:
Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Frisson Winds: We begin our season with this chamber ensemble including the brilliant wind musicians of the group Frisson. Frisson Winds features the best and brightest of classical music’s stars and showcases emerging young artists as well as seasoned professionals. Attendees will hear works by Beethoven, Salieri, and Mozart, including a rarely heard Mozart basset horn trio and Mozart’s iconic Serenade No. 10 “Gran Partita” in the full 13-instrument orchestration. After the concert, celebrate the opening of our 80th season by browsing our anniversary display and enjoy some complimentary refreshments.
Sunday, November 22, 2026 – Cavatina Duo, Eugenia Molina, flutist & Denis Azabagić, guitarist. The blending of flute and guitar by the Cavatina Duo will take our musical spirit on a flight of delight via pieces by Marin Marais, Alan Thomas (commissioned by and dedicated to the Cavatina Duo), Debussy (solo flute), David Leisner, Tárrega (solo guitar), and Piazzola, ending with Arban’s show-stopping “Fantaisie brillante” (themes from Bizet’s Carmen). At 2 pm, hear a preconcert lecture by Brent Stevens presented courtesy of the Los Alamos Arts Council.
Saturday, February 27, 2027 – David Finckel, cellist & Wu Han, pianist. Known world-wide for their deft touch with all things chamber music these two virtuosi will provide an afternoon of musical pleasure. Finckel and Han are the Artistic Directors of The Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center and the founding Artistic Directors of Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival and Institute. They will perform their Russian program featuring works by Myaskovsky, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff. At 2 pm, hear a preconcert lecture by Brent Stevens presented courtesy of the Rosalie Heller Annual Memorial Lecture Endowment held by the Los Alamos Community Foundation.
Sunday, April 18, 2027 – Duo Beaux Arts, Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, pianists. It is a rare musical luxury to hear our historic Steinway being played four hands by this duo in a visual and aural experience you won’t soon forget. This jam-packed program will feature a piano arrangement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 “Pastorale,” Schubert’s Fantasy in F minor, Liszt’s “Les Préludes,” and the dynamic and just as colorful as its title J. Strauss Jr. and Anderson’s “Blue Danube Fantasy.”
Saturday, June 12, 2027 – Mirari Brass Quintet. The brilliance of brass will shine in this season’s closing concert. It will be a trip around the world with works by Boulanger, Aletotti, Santos, Collier Jones, Ryan Jones, Ewald, Arutunian, and Bernstein (“Selections from West Side Story”). At 2 pm, hear a preconcert lecture by Brent Stevens presented courtesy of the Rosalie Heller Annual Memorial Lecture Endowment held by the Los Alamos Community Foundation. Plan on Dinner with the Artists at 5 pm, with the Mirari Brass Quintet joining our tables at beef & leaf cafe. Seating limited—buy now when you purchase your Season Tickets.
Ticket Information
Preseason tickets are on sale now! Purchase before September 15th and save $50 on a 5-concert package, save $5 for single adult tickets. (Additional handling fee applies for Tix.com sales)
5-Concert Package: $150.00 (A set of 5 tickets that can be used at any concert and in any combination during the season)
Adult Single Ticket: $35 (regularly $40)
Students (ages 6–18) & Local Music Educators: FREE
To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit losalamosconcert.org
Concert Details
Time: All concerts take place at 3:00 PM on Saturdays or Sundays.
Venue: Duane Smith Auditorium, 1300 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos
About the Los Alamos Concert Association
LACA is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization dedicated to bringing world-class artists to Northern New Mexico. Celebrating its 80th season, LACA continues its tradition of excellence in programming and community engagement.