Boston Symphony Orchestra Announces Free Community Concerts

Boston

The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will present a free Community Chamber Concerts series for the 2025–26 season, running from October 12, 2025, to March 29, 2026. The program comprises 10 one-hour concerts held across seven Greater Boston venues. Advance reservations are required for the free tickets.

Key details

The series is designed to bring BSO musicians directly into local communities. The concerts will feature chamber ensembles of three to seven musicians, with a total of 29 BSO musicians participating over the season. Each performance will last about one hour and will be presented without intermission, allowing audiences to experience chamber music in intimate settings such as schools, churches, and community centers.

Program and repertoire

The repertoire for the 2025–26 Community Chamber Concerts will include classical works by composers such as Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven, alongside contemporary pieces by living composers including Gabriela Ortiz, Howard Blake, and Jessie Montgomery. To mark Ravel 150, the series will present Maurice Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and his String Quartet in F during selected concerts.

Logistics and access

Tickets to all Community Chamber Concerts are free but require advance reservation. Reservations must be made through the BSO’s website. Seating capacity will depend on each venue’s size and layout. The one-hour format without intermission is intended to make concerts easier to attend for a broad audience, including students and community members who may be new to chamber music.

Notable dates and venues

• October 12, 2025 — Conservatory Lab Charter School, Dorchester
• November 16, 2025 — Zumix, East Boston
• January 16, 2026 — Community Music Center of Boston, South End
• January 18, 2026 — Veronica Robles Arts and Cultural Center, East Boston
• January 30, 2026 — Fenway Center, Back Bay
• February 20, 2026 — Fenway Center, Back Bay
• March 13, 2026 — Fenway Center, Back Bay
• March 15, 2026 — First Baptist Church, Worcester
• March 27, 2026 — Fenway Center, Back Bay
• March 29, 2026 — First Church, Cambridge

Who the series serves

The Community Chamber Concerts program aims to make chamber music accessible to a wide range of listeners by staging performances in community-centered locations rather than traditional concert halls. Settings such as schools, community centers, and churches allow for smaller, more personal performances that can reach diverse audiences, including students, families, seniors, and residents who may not regularly attend symphony hall events.

Program history and context

The Community Chamber Concerts program was launched in 1998. Over its history, the series has continued to bring BSO musicians into neighborhoods across Greater Boston, expanding opportunities for community engagement and music education. The 2025–26 season continues that tradition while incorporating modern repertoire and commemorative programming tied to Ravel’s 150th anniversary.

Additional notes

Seating availability varies by venue, and concerts may fill quickly due to limited capacity. Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. The one-hour, no-intermission format is intended to accommodate schedules and provide a focused listening experience. Exact start times and additional program details for each concert will be posted with reservation information.