For more than 35 years, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic has been inspiring audiences with beautiful and engaging live orchestral music. Under the artistic direction of Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, the orchestra performs Classics, Orchestral Pops, and Discovery Family concerts, along with a wide range of community events that brings music to audiences of all backgrounds.
“Music is a universal language that brings people together and strengthens our community,” says Executive Director, Brent Hart. “At the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, we want you to feel welcome and know that the music we perform is for everyone.”
To introduce young audiences to the symphony, the Philharmonic presents its Discovery Family Series—three one-hour concerts designed specifically for children and families, held at the Thelma Gaylord Theater.
From beloved movie tunes and timeless classics to popular songs performed by the full orchestra, each program is led by a member of the conducting staff and crafted to spark excitement and curiosity in young listeners of every age.
The experience begins well before the first note. Doors open an hour before each performance, giving guests time to explore a lively pre-concert celebration with hands-on learning activities with the Instrument Playground. Community partners also offer arts, crafts, dance, and games tied to the theme of the day’s concert—making the whole afternoon a memorable experience.
“Our Discovery Family Series introduces the joy and excitement of live music to children and their families, bringing music making to life,” says Hart. “It’s a concert experience meant to ignite interest and create lasting memories that instill a lifelong connection to music.”
Upcoming Discovery Family Series performances for the 2026-2027 season:
Sept. 20, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Feb. 7, 2027 at 2 p.m.
May 16, 2027 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are affordable for the entire family: a three-concert subscription is only $32 per person, or single tickets are available for $11 per concert. All Discovery Family Series tickets are general admission.
Classics and Pops performances are held at the Civic Center Music Hall. The upcoming 2026-2027 seasons includes sweeping Classics including America the Beautiful: A 250 Celebration, Worlds of Wonder, From Blues to Broadway, A Very Merry Pops, and A Night in Vienna. For fans of Pops, the season features two unmissable events for families: a live-to-picture performance of How to Train Your Dragon, where the beloved film plays in HD while the full orchestra performs its thrilling score, and Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, where 17 classic Looney Tunes are projected on the big screen as the Philharmonic, conducted by George Daugherty, performs the original, iconic scores live.
Hart shares, “Whether you’ve been coming to concerts for years or you’re walking through our doors for the very first time, we can’t wait to share the power of live orchestral music with you.”
For more information, visit okcphil.org.
