PREVIEW: Tanglewood Learning Institute Launches Biggest Season Ever — 36+ Concerts, Films, and Family Events September–May
Beginning 9/12 @ Tanglewood, Berkshire, MA
Photo by Aram Boghosian
From Mexican jazz to UFO-inspired chamber music, the Berkshires’ creative hub has something for everyone
The Tanglewood Learning Institute (TLI) has announced its largest year-round lineup to date, with more than 36 programs running from September 2025 through May 2026 at the Linde Center for Music and Learning. This season welcomes internationally renowned performers, Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) musicians, a film series, local collaborators, and two exciting additions: the debut of TLI Jazz and an expansion of TLI for Families.
Forget your image of Tanglewood as just a classical symphony stage. This year, it’s an all-season arts hangout where you can sip a drink at a Valentine’s cabaret, hear UFO-inspired chamber music, or catch hip hop meets poetry with the kids. From Mexican jazz prodigies to Irish folk stompers, tango nights to holiday brass, Tanglewood’s Linde Center is practically turning the Berkshires into a year-round creative laboratory that’s sure to delight all kinds of music lovers.
As Chad Smith, BSO President and CEO, puts it, “Our 2025–26 fall, winter, and spring season reflects our deepening commitment to engaging the vibrant, year-round Berkshires community and to fully exploring the potential of TLI as a space where BSO programs make thought-provoking connections between music, art, and society. This ongoing work is also a passion project for our musicians, who form deep ties to the area and are eager to remain active in the Berkshires beyond the summer months.”
Photo by Hilary Scott
Season Highlights
TLI Jazz kicks off September 12 with rising Mexican vocalist Lucía (Sept 12), followed by performances from Emmet Cohen with Georgia Heers (Oct. 10), drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. & Generation Y (Nov. 7), Ted Rosenthal Trio (Nov. 28), and Stella Cole (Dec. 13). Valentine’s weekend brings Tammy McCann’s “With Love from the Legendary Ladies of Jazz” (Feb. 14–15), with later dates featuring Sullivan Fortner Trio (Mar. 20), Nick Hempton (Apr. 10), and Jumaane Smith (May 9).
TLI Presents offers a tantalizing mix: Palaver Strings with tango dancers (Sept. 28), Sandbox Percussion (Oct. 5), classical guitar virtuoso Raphaël Feuillâtre (Nov. 1), Catalyst Quartet (Nov. 14), Irish ensemble Goitse (Mar. 15), Arcis Saxophone Quartet (Mar. 22), and more. Notable collaborations with Berkshire Bach Society pair films and live performances in Berkshire Bach Portals (Nov. 8, Mar. 21). The final program of the series, Mirage with Hub New Music and Daniel Wohl, includes a performance of Wohl’s UFO-inspired work as well as specially-made arrangements from his 2019 album, État (May 1).
TLI Chamber Concerts return with BSO musicians on Oct. 19, Nov. 23, Feb. 1, Feb. 22, and Mar. 8, each linked to a local nonprofit through TLI’s In Concert with Community initiative.
TLI for Families expands with Baba Israel’s Music Moves, Stories Groove (Oct. 26), a family-friendly Holiday Brass (Dec. 21), and animated piano program Magic Piano & The Chopin Shorts (Apr. 12).
TLI Cinematics, in partnership with Great Barrington’s Triplex Cinema, offers screenings on Nov. 15, Mar. 14, and Apr. 11. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
Tickets for these seasons are now on sale via bso.org or by calling 888-266-1200.