The San Antonio Philharmonic has cancelled the remainder of its 2025–26 season following the departure of its music director Jeffrey Kahane, amid mounting financial and institutional challenges.
According to the San Antonio Current, which obtained an internal email sent by Philharmonic CEO Roberto Treviño to musicians, all remaining concerts originally scheduled through the end of May have been scrapped.
“As part of the broader reconfiguration of our season, we will unfortunately need to cancel the remaining concerts as originally planned,” Treviño wrote in the message cited by the Current. “We sincerely apologize for the impact this decision has on you. We understand that this news will bring frustration, concern, and many questions.”
The cancellations affect seven concert series, including performances of Bach’s Mass in B minor and a Fiesta Pops programme.
Concerts tailored to Kahane
The announcement comes one week after Kahane stepped down as music director. His departure prompted a reassessment of the remainder of the season.
In comments to the San Antonio Current, Treviño said the programmes could not proceed as planned because they had been specifically designed around Kahane’s artistic profile. “We can’t do the concerts as planned because they were tailored to Jeffrey,” he told the publication.
While the symphonic season has been cancelled, Treviño indicated to the Current that the Philharmonic still intends to present its annual Young People’s Concerts in local schools, likely in May. He also suggested that the board is exploring alternative performances, possibly featuring associate conductor Filipe Tristan, either with smaller ensembles or the full orchestra in different formats. He declined to specify how many replacement events might take place, noting that options remain under consideration.
Venue dispute and financial strain
The Philharmonic’s difficulties extend beyond artistic leadership. Late last year, the orchestra was ordered to vacate the Scottish Rite Masonic Hall, a venue it had previously presented as its permanent home.
In a legal filing, the Scottish Rite lodge accused the orchestra of failing to fulfil a commitment to contribute $750,000 toward repairs to the historic building. Treviño has previously told the San Antonio Current that discussions to remain at the site were ongoing, but the dispute has further complicated the organisation’s operations.
Citing the loss of a performance space and financial pressures, the orchestra had already cancelled several concerts earlier this season, including its “Classics VI | Symphonic Strings” programme.
A fragile legacy after the San Antonio Symphony’s collapse
The current crisis unfolds against the backdrop of a recent institutional collapse. The Philharmonic was founded in 2022 by musicians following the dissolution of the San Antonio Symphony, which ceased operations after prolonged labour disputes and bankruptcy proceedings.
The creation of the Philharmonic was seen as an attempt to preserve full-time orchestral music in one of Texas’s largest cities. However, the new organisation has faced ongoing financial and structural challenges as it seeks to establish long-term stability.
In his email to musicians, as reported by the San Antonio Current, Treviño acknowledged the uncertainty while expressing optimism about the future. “We want to be honest with you about where things stand, and at the same time assure you there is ongoing work happening behind the scenes to support the long-term health of the Philharmonic,” he wrote. “We remain confident that, with the people, the vision, and the support around us, we will be able to move forward.”
For now, however, the immediate future of large-scale symphonic programming in San Antonio remains uncertain.
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