As season announcements go, this is about as spare as it gets, but that is because the Lexington Philharmonic still has to choose a music director.

Evelyn Glennie

According the orchestra’s season-ticket solicitation letter, the Phil’s 2009-10 season will open with percussion soloist Evelyn Glennie, the world’s only full-time percussion soloist. Glennie is noted for that and her circumstances: she is profoundly deaf. Glennie has been profiled on 60 Minutes and many other outlets, been the subject of a documentary film, released more than 25 recordings and been named “Dame Commander” in her native England.

Glennie’s last Lexington appearance was in October 2004, when she presented a percussion concerto by Bright Sheng with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra at the Singletary Center. A program has not been announced for the Sept. 25 concert with the Lexington Philharmonic, which will open its first season under a new music director.

The Philharmonic’s search for a new music director comes to a close Friday night with an audition concert by Atlanta Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Mei-Ann Chen. The Philharmonic’s search committee expects to name the new director sometime in the next several weeks.

Since the new conductor has not been named, the Phil has only released concert dates for the next season, noting Glennie as the season-opening soloist and the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah Dec. 11. The season includes seven concerts, down from the Philharmonic’s usual eight MasterClassics performances. The season-ticket solicitation letter says the orchestra will collaborate with UK Healthcare on an April 2010 concert.

Philharmonic executive director Peter Kucirko said the Philharmonic decided to go with a seven concert season so as to not schedule two concerts in April thereby, “competing with ourselves.” Kucirko said eliminating an April concert was not part of any cost-cutting measures, and he did not know the date or program for the UK Healthcare concert.

These are the Philharmonic’s dates:

• Sept. 25, with percussionist Evelyn Glennie
• Oct. 16
• Nov. 13
• Dec. 11: Handel’s Messiah, with the Lexington Singers
• Jan. 22
• Feb. 12
• March 5

The Philharmonic is currently renewing season tickets for current subscribers. They have until April 10 to renew. Visit the Phil’s website or call (859) 233-4226 for more information.