Lee Mills Will Conduct Omaha Symphony Debut

Conductor Lee Mills leads the Omaha Symphony in a 20th-century music program at the Joslyn Art Museum this Sunday.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Classical

Bold vector editorial illustration of a brass trumpet and a wooden violin resting on a stage, evoking a classical music performance. — Conductor Lee Mills makes his Omaha Symphony debut this Sunday at the Joslyn Art Museum, performing a curated program of 20th-century compositions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Conductor Lee Mills is set to make his Omaha Symphony debut on October 18, 2026. The performance will take place at the Joslyn Art Museum starting at 2 p.m.

Why it matters

This performance marks a new collaboration between the Greenville Symphony Orchestra music director and the Omaha ensemble. The program highlights the versatility of the orchestra through a focused selection of 20th-century compositions.

Lee Mills brings experience from his five years as resident conductor of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra. The upcoming program features works by Béla Bartók, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Henri Tomasi, and Samuel Barber.

The players

Lee Mills

He currently serves as the music director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

Omaha Symphony

This is the primary performing ensemble hosting the concert at the Joslyn Art Museum.

Joslyn Art Museum

This cultural institution serves as the venue for the upcoming symphony performance.

The details

The program features an exploration of 20th-century works, including Bartók's Divertimento and Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Throughout the concert, the performance will showcase the distinct roles of brass, string, and woodwind sections.

October 18, 2026: Conductor Lee Mills debuts with Omaha Symphony at 2 p.m.

Industry Dynamics

This performance follows the broader trend of symphony orchestras bringing in guest music directors to revitalize specific repertoire periods. It positions the Omaha Symphony within a competitive landscape of regional orchestras utilizing experienced directors to draw audiences for 20th-century works.

Attendees can access the concert at the Joslyn Art Museum starting at 2 p.m. this Sunday. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating for this feature-length performance.

The takeaway

This concert offers a rare opportunity to hear works by Tomasi and Villa-Lobos performed by a major local ensemble. Listeners interested in 20th-century classical music should review the program selections ahead of time to better appreciate the technical demands placed on the orchestra.