Founded in 2012 by Branson native Dr. Larkin Sanders, the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra (TFO) will open the curtain on its summer season in June. This year’s collection of concerts includes two symphony orchestra performances, a children’s concert, and three chamber music concerts, as well as several casual concerts at Missouri breweries. Music director and conductor Joseph Peters also returns to lead the orchestra this season.

This year’s first orchestral concert, “Metamorphoses,” features works by Jules Massenet and Gabriela Lena Frank, as well as Paul Hindemith’s masterful Symphonic Metamorphosis. TFO’s other full-ensemble performance will spotlight the skills of oboist Victoria Lee in Ruth Gipps’ Oboe Concerto alongside orchestral favorites Capriccio espagnol and Pines of Rome. These orchestra concerts take place at Hollister High School and Branson High School, respectively.

TFO showcases its musicians with three annual chamber music concerts, “All-Star Soloists,” “Music by Living Composers,” and “Our Favorite Pieces.” The selections for these concerts range from pieces for one musician, sometimes written by the musician themselves, up to works for 10 or 12 players. All of these concerts will take place at Branson’s Fellowship at Cross Creek Church.

The 14th season of Branson’s orchestra festival is pleased to add several additional community engagement events. Musicians from the orchestra will be performing at Turkey Creek Brewery, Malt & Barrel Brewing Co., and Hold Fast Brewing (Springfield, MO), as well as visiting Buchanan Elementary for a “Meet the Instruments” event with summer school students.

Each year, TFO attracts more than 100 musicians from across the country to Branson for two weeks of rehearsals and performances. These musicians range from college students at some of the country’s best music programs to established musicians who hold professorships and orchestral jobs. One of the attractions of TFO for musicians is the opportunity to build connections with peers at different stages of their careers. Additionally, TFO is proud to be the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Brungard Family Foundation, which will be used to house our exemplary musicians.

Admission is free at all Taneycomo Festival Orchestra events. The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is supported by donations of money, food, time, and hospitality. To learn more about supporting TFO, visit taneycomofestivalorchestra.org/donateandvolunteer.

2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 18
All-Star Soloists
TFO’s orchestral musicians present a variety of solo works. Repertoire to be announced.
Fellowship at Cross Creek Church
505 Cedar Park Road, Branson, MO 65616

6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19
Suds & Sonatas
Musicians from the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra present this casual concert and social gathering. Repertoire to be announced.
Turkey Creek Brewery
1865 US-65 Business, Hollister, MO 65672

7:30 p.m. Friday June 20
Taneycomo Festival Orchestra: Metamorphoses
The world-class Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, made up of professional musicians, music students, and skilled amateurs, presents a concert of exhilarating symphonic works.
Carlos Chávez: Sinfonia India (Symphony No. 2)
Jules Massenet: Ballet Music from Le Cid
Gabriela Lena Frank: Escaramuza
Paul Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis
Hollister High School
2112 State Hwy BB, Hollister, MO 65672

7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Summer Serenades: Mountain Songs
Musicians from the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra present this casual concert and social gathering. Repertoire to be announced.
Malt & Barrel Brewing Co.
225 Cross Creek Blvd G, Branson, MO 65616

9 a.m. Monday, June 23
“Meet the Instruments” at Buchanan Elementary
Summer school students will get the opportunity to experience the instruments of the orchestra firsthand! Open to students only.
Buchanan Elementary
1000 Buchanan Rd, Branson, MO 65616

7:30 p.m. Monday, June 23
Summer Serenades: Mountain Songs
Musicians from the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra present this casual concert and social gathering. Repertoire to be announced.
Hold Fast Brewing
235 N. Kimbrough Ave. Springfield, MO 65806
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25
Music by Living Composers
TFO’s world-class musicians present works for soloists and chamber ensembles written by living composers– sometimes by the performers themselves. Repertoire to be announced.
Fellowship at Cross Creek Church
505 Cedar Park Road, Branson, MO 65616

7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26
Our Favorite Pieces
TFO’s orchestral musicians perform some of their bucket-list chamber music works. 
Repertoire to be announced.
Fellowship at Cross Creek Church
505 Cedar Park Road, Branson, MO 65616

7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27
Taneycomo Festival Orchestra: Dreamscapes
The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, which consists of professional musicians, music students, and skilled amateurs from across the country, presents a concert of symphonic works made for dreamers.
Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol
Ruth Gipps: Oboe Concerto, featuring Victoria Lee
Charles Tomlinson Griffes: The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan
Ottorino Respighi: Pines Of Rome
Branson High School 
935 Buchanan, Branson, MO 65616

ABOUT DR. LARKIN SANDERS
Dr. Larkin Sanders (b. 1987) is a clarinetist, educator, and artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. She teaches at Washburn University and William Jewell College, owns The Clever Clarinetist, and directs the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. A Selmer Paris, Behn, D’Addario, Corbin, and Silverstein Pro Team Artist, she performs internationally and with ensembles like the Springfield and Kansas City Symphonies. A composer, author, and artist, her works are inspired by storytelling and featured in shops and musician logos. Dr. Sanders holds a Doctor of Music from Florida State University and degrees from Michigan State and the University of Kansas.

ABOUT THE TANEYCOMO FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra provides free classical music concerts and educational programs that serve the central Ozarks. We believe that anyone can enjoy classical music performances when programs are presented in casual, educational, and accessible atmospheres. TFO brings up to 100 musicians from around the globe together to make music and expand their networks. TFO provides musicians with free housing, meals, and professional development seminars in addition to musical growth. The value of in-kind donations such as housing, food, and venue use is approximately $250,000 per year, and 90% of our total budget comes from individual donations.

The above press release is from the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra.