Acadiana Symphony League Hosted Season Kickoff Social
The Acadiana Symphony Women's League gathered in Lafayette on September 6, 2026, to announce its 2026-2027 season programming.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Classical
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On September 6, 2026, the Acadiana Symphony Women's League hosted a season kickoff social in Lafayette at the home of Dana and Michael Topham. The event served to introduce new organizational leadership and outline the upcoming 2026-2027 performance calendar.
Why it matters
The event solidified the direction of the organization by introducing new leadership and confirming a collaborative partnership with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to broaden the scope of local performances.
The 2026-2027 season features themes including America at 250, Beethoven and the Bayou, and Cajun Night before Christmas. These performances draw from a newly established collaboration with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
The players
Jackie Hettich
She serves as the executive director of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra.
Robert Schacht
He serves as the president of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra board of directors.
Matthew Kraemer
He is the artistic advisor for the ASO and the music director and principal conductor for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dana and Michael Topham
They hosted the Acadiana Symphony Women's League event at their home in Lafayette.
The details
The social gathering featured champagne and live classical music while members met new executives, including ASO executive director Jackie Hettich and board president Robert Schacht. Matthew Kraemer, who serves as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's music director, will join the symphony as artistic advisor to help guide the new season.
Timeline
The season kickoff social occurred on September 6, 2026.
The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra season runs throughout 2026-2027.
Industry Dynamics
The collaboration follows a regional model established by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, which creates partnerships between local symphony organizations. This structural shift highlights a trend of shared artistic resources to sustain professional classical programming in smaller markets.
The new season programming will be presented at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, where local audiences can access ticket information. Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of performances including holiday-themed events and American masterworks.
The takeaway
The addition of new leadership and a partnership with a larger philharmonic signals a strategic effort to revitalize the symphony's local profile. Residents should watch for upcoming ticket releases to participate in the diverse series planned for the year.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming performances, visit the Classical section.
More information
Find full details on the schedule at the ASO concert ticket information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
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