ACSO joins thousands of arts organizations and communities across the nation to recognize October as National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM). NAHM is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all of the people. It is a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of art and culture in America during the month of October and was launched more than 30 years ago as National Arts Week in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1993, it was reestablished by Americans for the Arts and national arts partners as a month-long celebration with goals of:

• FOCUSING on equitable access to the arts at local, state, and national levels;
• ENCOURAGING individuals, organizations, and diverse communities to participate in the arts;
• ALLOWING governments and businesses to show their support of the arts; and
• RAISING public awareness about the role the arts and humanities play in our communities and lives.

ACSO is participating by compiling and sharing the below list of our members' in-person and virtual concerts throughout the month of October. We are thrilled to see a safe return to live music with a wide variety of concerts and events happening this month from ensembles of all sizes. Scroll down to find a concert near you!

“ACSO encourages all of our members to participate in National Arts & Humanities Month and designate their October programs in the name of this month-long arts celebration,” said Sarah Weber, ACSO executive director. “NAHM has become the country’s largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities. Orchestras and ensembles in California and the West are launching incredible 22-23 seasons featuring exceptional musicians, diverse composers, and welcoming spaces for everyone to participate. Our members are putting on XXX live concerts in October. There is so much wonderful music for everyone to enjoy together!”

In the last 18 months, the arts and humanities have played a critically important role in getting us through the COVID-19 pandemic and in amplifying the need for racial equity across the country. National Arts & Humanities Month is the time for communities to come together in a unified celebration of the power of the arts to make a difference and change our lives for the better. Click here to learn about other ways you can participate in NAHM.

If you are an ACSO member and we have missed your October concert, contact us at [email protected] so we can add it to the list. And don't forget to upload your full 21/22 concert season on our California Concerts Calendar.

october 1

Eureka Symphony: RE-EMERGENCE, 8:00pm

october 2

Eureka Symphony: RE-EMERGENCE, 8:00pm
Pacific Symphony: EMMANUEL AX, 8:00pm
San Luis Obispo Symphony: CLASSICS REIMAGINED, STRING GLORY, 7:30pm
Santa Rosa Symphony: LARSEN, MOZART, SMITH, & ELGAR, 7:30pm
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: BRAHMS & MOZART, 7:30pm

October 3

Pacific Symphony: TCHAIKOVSKY'S FIFTH, 3:00pm
Reno Philharmonic: THE HARMONY GAMES, 10:00am
Santa Rosa Symphony: LARSEN, MOZART, SMITH, & ELGAR, 3:00pm
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: BRAHMS & MOZART, 2:00pm

October 4

Santa Rosa Symphony: LARSEN, MOZART, SMITH, & ELGAR, 7:30pm

October 5

Monterey Symphony: LOVE LETTER TO CARMEL, 7:00pm

October 6

Monterey Symphony: LOVE LETTER TO CARMEL, 7:00pm

October 7

San Francisco Symphony: KENDALL, CHIN & BEETHOVEN, 7:30pm

October 8

San Diego Symphony: PAYARE, BARNATAN & MAHLER, 7:30pm
San Francisco Symphony: KENDALL, CHIN & BEETHOVEN, 7:30pm

October 9

Corona Symphony Orchestra: CELEBRATION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT, 7:00pm
Fresno Philharmonic: SERENADE FOR STRINGS, 7:30pm
LA Phil: HOMECOMING CONCERT & GALA, 7:00pm
San Francisco Symphony: KENDALL, CHIN & BEETHOVEN, 7:30pm
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: TILL EULENSPIEGEL RE-WORKED, 7:30pm

October 10

California Chamber Orchestra: ARDOR TRIO, 3:00pm
Fresno Philharmonic: SERENADE FOR STRINGS, 3:00pm
San Diego Symphony: INDIGO GIRLS, 7:30pm
Southland Symphony: HERITAGE, 4:00pm
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: TILL EULENSPIEGEL RE-WORKED, 2:00pm

October 14

LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS STRAUSS, 8:00pm
Pacific Symphony: BEETHOVEN'S EROICA, 8:00pm
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale: SCHUMANN'S REAWAKENED MASTERPIECES, 8:00pm
San Francisco Symphony: EXOTIC BIRDS, 7:30pm

October 15

Chapman University: Orchestra & Wind Symphony in Concert, 7:30pm
LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS STRAUSS, 11:00am
Oakland Symphony: THE MUSIC RETURNS, 8:00pm
Pacific Symphony: BEETHOVEN'S EROICA, 8:00pm
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale: SCHUMANN'S REAWAKENED MASTERPIECES, 7:30pm
San Diego Symphony: BRAHMS V. RADIOHEAD, 7:30pm
San Francisco Symphony: EXOTIC BIRDS, 7:30pm
Sequoia Symphony Orchestra: STAR WARS A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT, 7:30pm
Stockton Symphony: HEARTSTRINGS AT HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE, 7:00pm
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: MOZART JUPITER, 7:30pm

October 16

LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS STRAUSS, 2:00pm
Pacific Symphony: BEETHOVEN'S EROICA, 8:00pm
Pasadena Symphony & POPS: BEETHOVEN 7, 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale: SCHUMANN'S REAWAKENED MASTERPIECES, 8:00pm
Reno Chamber Orchestra: A CELEBRATORY RETURN
San Diego Symphony: SONG & SYMPHONY, 7:30pm
San Francisco Symphony: EXOTIC BIRDS, 7:30pm
Sequoia Symphony Orchestra: STAR WARS A NEW HOPE IN CONCERT, 7:30pm

October 17

Los Angeles Jewish Symphony: WOMEN'S VOICES, WOMEN'S SOULS, 7:30pm
LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS STRAUSS, 2:00pm
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale: SCHUMANN'S REAWAKENED MASTERPIECES, 8:00pm
Reno Chamber Orchestra: A CELEBRATORY RETURN
San Diego Symphony: SONG & SYMPHONY, 3:00pm
San Francisco Symphony: EXOTIC BIRDS, 2:00pm
Santa Monica Symphony: 77TH SEASON PREMIERE, 3:00pm
Stockton Symphony: HEARTSTRINGS AT HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE, 7:00pm
Symphony Irvine: SHOSTAKOVICH 5, 4:00pm
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: MOZART JUPITER, 2:00pm

October 20

Chamber Music Palisades: 25TH ANNIVERSARY PREMIERE, 8:00pm

October 21

Chapman University: OPERA EN FUEGO, 7:30pm
LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS MAHLER, 8:00pm
San Francisco Symphony: SCHUBERT 5 & DESSNER VIOLIN CONCERTO, 7:30pm

October 22

Chapman University: OPERA EN FUEGO, 7:30pm
LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS MAHLER, 8:00pm
San Francisco Symphony: SCHUBERT 5 & DESSNER VIOLIN CONCERTO, 7:30pm
Westmont College Orchestra: FALL ORCHESTRA CONCERT, 7:00pm

October 23

Chapman University: OPERA EN FUEGO, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Downey Symphony: OUR NEW WORLD, 8:00pm
Las Vegas Philharmonic: FANFARE, 7:30pm
LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS MAHLER, 8:00pm
Livermore-Amador Symphony: PICNIC WITH THE POPS, 3:00pm
Long Beach Symphony: MUSIC OF QUEEN, 8:00pm
Reno Philharmonic: RAVEL'S PIANO CONCERTO, 7:30pm
San Bernardino Symphony: ELVIS, WYNTON & STRINGS, 7:30pm
San Francisco Symphony: SCHUBERT 5 & DESSNER VIOLIN CONCERTO, 7:30pm
Santa Barbara Symphony: KIZMET
Santa Cruz Symphony: REMEMBERANCE & REJUVENATION
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: JUST FOR KIDS W/ THE BRASS QUINTET, 10:00am & 11:15am

October 24

Auburn Symphony: SHOSTAKOVICH & BOGZA, 3:00pm
California Chamber Orchestra: JEEYOON KIM, 3:00pm
LA Phil: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS MAHLER, 8:00pm
San Diego Youth Symphony: ANGELS' ANGELS FALL MUSICALE, 3:00pm
San Francisco Symphony: VIOLIN RECITAL W/ RAY CHEN, 7:30pm
Santa Barbara Symphony: KIZMET
Santa Cruz Symphony: REMEMBERANCE & REJUVENATION
Westmont College Orchestra: FALL ORCHESTRA CONCERT, 3:00pm

October 28

San Francisco Symphony: BRONFMAN PLAYS BEETHOVEN, 2:00pm

October 29

LA Phil: TCHAIKOVSKY & SAARIAHO W/ MALKKI, 8:00pm
Peninsula Symphony: THE RENEWAL CONCERT, 8pm
San Francisco Symphony: BRONFMAN PLAYS BEETHOVEN, 7:30pm
South Coast Symphony: YOUNG STARS OF THE FUTURE, 7:30pm

October 30

La Jolla Symphony: MUSIC IS ALWAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
LA Phil: TCHAIKOVSKY & SAARIAHO W/ MALKKI, 8:00pm
Peninsula Symphony: THE RENEWAL CONCERT, 8pm
San Francisco Symphony: BRONFMAN PLAYS BEETHOVEN, 7:30pm

October 31

Chapman University: University Singers in Concert, 3:00pm
La Jolla Symphony: MUSIC IS ALWAYS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
LA Phil: TCHAIKOVSKY & SAARIAHO W/ MALKKI, 2:00pm