2025-2026

Dangerous II (El Sueño Americano) - May 2026

Sharing stories and songs of people from diverse backgrounds who all have something in common - the American dream.

Community Partner: TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

One Vision - December 2025

A celebration of Queen, with an incredible lineup of guest singers on a journey through the music of one of the greatest bands ever to hit the stage.

Community Partner: MashUp! - a Nashville nonprofit working to confront health inequities and social injustice head-on, improving the lives and well-being of Black LGBTQ+ people through education, advocacy, and community-driven solutions.

Presenting Sponsor: Music City PrEP Clinic

Canticles: Songs of Brother Sun & Sister Moon - October 2025

In 1225, Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (now better known at St Francis of Assisi) composed one of the great works of medieval literature – the Canticle of Brother Sun & Sister Moon. This concert celebrated Francis’ radical vision (updated for the needs of the 21st century) and featured the world premiere of Portara Artistic Director Jason Shelton’s new setting of the Canticle, a multi-movement work for chorus, piano, and string orchestra.

Community Partner: Cumberland River Compact

2022-2023

Sing We Joyous! - December 2022

We’re thrilled to be back! An afternoon of joyful celebration as we welcome the season with traditional (and not-so-traditional!) favorites. Special guests include Horacio Guendulain (piano), Tamica Nicole (soprano), Cremaine “That Cello Guy” Booker (cello), Ryoko Suzuki (harmonium), and Jeff Coffin (flute).

Community Partner: TN State University Choir Carnegie Hall travel fund

Dangerous - May 2023

Honoring music and movements of protest and social transformation. Voted “Best Historical Protest-Music Performance” by the Nashville Scene!

Community Partners: Moms Demand Action, SEIU Local 205, Southern Movement Committee, TN Equality Project, TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition

2021-2022

Celebrate Nashville Festival - October 2021

Our first post-pandemic performance, on the main stage in Centennial Park. Livestreams to thousands of online participants!

Orpheus Reimagined (with Duncan Dance South) - March 2022

Two years after being postponed due to the pandemic, we recast the ancient story of Orpheus and Eurydice in the Parthenon

2020-2021

Season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019-2020

Renewal (with Intersection) - October 2019

Snider: Mass for the Endangered (regional premiere)

The Longest Night - at OZ Arts, December 2019

Orpheus Reimagined (with Duncan Dance South) - March 2020

Performed in the Parthenon, Postponed due to COVID-19
Rescheduled for September 2022

The Race for Space - May 2020

Rimkus: Voyager Golden Record (world premiere, commissioned by Portara)
Performed in the Adventure Science Center planetarium
Postponed due to COVID-19
Rescheduled for September 2023

2018-2019

Mercy - September 2018
In collaboration with Project Return

Byrd: Kyrie
Panufnik: Kyrie After Byrd
Dobrogosz: Mass
Thompson: Hold Fast to Dreams
Barber: Agnus Dei

The Longest Night - December 2018
World Premiere featuring 40+ artists, musicians, dancers, poets, and more!

Step By Step: The Ruby Bridges Suite - February 2019 (pictured above)
Benefitting the W.O. Smith Community Music School
Performed at City Winery, featuring:

Composer/Pianist Darrell Grant
TSU Meistersingers
Rahsaan Barber, saxophone
Brian Blade, drums
Connye Florance, vocals

Shadow and Light: An Alzheimer’s Journey - June 2019
With the Nashville Concerto Orchestra and special guest composer Joan Szymko
Benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association of Middle TN

2017-2018

Spark! - September 2017

Mixed program celebrating creativity, featuring artwork and a collaborative composition with 4th graders from Glendale Elementary School.

Mid-Winter Triptychs - December 2017

Bachanalia - March 2018
Cantata BWV 39

Home - June 2018
Benefitting Open Table Nashville’s Village at Gelncliff

2016-2017

Musica Sacra Mundi, Vol 2: A Prayer for Peace - September 2016

Dark Night of the Soul: Musical Reflections on Advent and Winter - December 2016

Bachanalia - March 2017
Cantata BWV 64

From Beginning to End - May 2017
Benefitting the Contributor

Featuring Copland’s In the Beginning and Howell’s Requiem

2015-2016

On a Starry Night - December 2015

Nashville Originals - May 2016
Benefitting W.O. Smith Community Music School

An entire program by Nashville composers