As a musical prelude to our country 250th anniversary, we present a celebration of the people, stories, and songs that give voice to the American spirit and our unique and varied musical identity.
The program begins with the traditions of Indigenous peoples and continues through the hymns of early settlers and the spirituals born from slavery, music that reflects both struggle and hope. As America grew, immigrant cultures enriched its musical landscape, leading to songs of unity and resilience from the Civil War through World Wars I and II. The journey continues to Broadway, where American stories and aspirations came vividly to life on stage.
The concert concludes with Randall Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom, a powerful musical affirmation of liberty and the enduring ideals that continue to define America and remind us of music's ability to bring people together.