American Music is from Everywhere

Welcome to the Jacobs School of Music 2026–27 mainstage season.

As America celebrates the two-hundred-fiftieth anniversary of its foundational document, the Declaration of Independence, Jacobs looks to the long history of music made here—both natively and with roots drawn from the homelands of American immigrants.

This season brings many forms of performance into the MAC—opera, ballet, and jazz, for sure, but also choral pieces, orchestral ensembles, and massive all-encompassing works—including narratives ranging from kings on islands to kids in cities.

We invite you to investigate this season. Mendelssohn, Copland, Carmichael, and Balanchine are here, alongside some newer voices; Thompson and Whiteside keep the tradition of making beautiful music and dance alive, adding contemporary flair, and Corigliano moves the season along with a bang.

Experience it all with a subscription! Yes, a subscription means discounts and privileges, but it also means scheduled delight as the year unwinds. Enjoy rich American musical history throughout the year; make it part of your own celebration, with us here at Jacobs.

View the 2026–27 mainstage season events Subscribe now

Upcoming Events

Jazz Celebration

OCT 24 | 7:30 PM

Milestone: 100 Years of Davis and Coltrane

The year 2026 marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the births of trumpeter Miles Davis and saxophonist John Coltrane, two of the biggest icons in the history of jazz and twentieth-century music. Join Jacobs jazz faculty and students as they pay homage to these two American legends.

Learn about Jazz Celebration

Idomeneo

NOV 14 | 7:30 PM

NOV 15 | 3 PM

After King Idomeneo returns to Crete from the Trojan War, the high-stakes consequences of a desperate deal he struck with Neptune for safe passage reveal themselves when he must choose between his own son, Idamante, and the vow he made to the sea god, further complicated as Idamante is loved by both the Trojan princess Ilia and the jealous Greek princess Elettra.

But when divine wrath is incurred, Idamante and Ilia prove their worth, prompting Neptune’s mercy.

Learn about Idomeneo

Mainstage in Concert – Circus Maximus

NOV 17 | 7:30 PM

John Corigliano’s massive 2005 work for large concert band is known for its intensity and theatricality as it stretches the boundaries of the wind ensemble.

Interested in immersing the audience, both spatially and metaphorically, Corigliano employs a number of techniques, and places the audience as if they were at the center of an arena, such as ancient Rome’s Circus Maximus.

George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue will begin this must-experience evening.

Learn about Circus Maximus

Explore previous seasons

Now is a great time to dive into our archive of on-demand content from previous seasons in order to prepare yourself for in-person experiences.

Relive—or discover—some of your favorite offerings from IU Jacobs School of Music Opera and Ballet Theater as we get ready to greet you live soon!

Explore previous seasons