National Symphony Orchestra

The Promise of US: Our Nation at 250

World Premiere

Thomas Wilkins leads a true celebration of American music! Experience the charm of Copland’s iconic ballet Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, followed by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with 18-time Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck. To close, the NSO presents the world premiere of Peter Boyer and Joseph Sohm’s American Mosaic, an NSO co-commission featuring stunning video imagery, powerful live narration, and quintessential American melodies to celebrate the land, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

National Symphony Orchestra

The Promise of US: Our Nation at 250

Premiere Run

Thomas Wilkins leads a true celebration of American music! Experience the charm of Copland’s iconic ballet Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, followed by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with 18-time Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck. To close, the NSO presents the world premiere of Peter Boyer and Joseph Sohm’s American Mosaic, an NSO co-commission featuring stunning video imagery, powerful live narration, and quintessential American melodies to celebrate the land, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

National Symphony Orchestra

The Promise of US: Our Nation at 250

Premiere Run

Thomas Wilkins leads a true celebration of American music! Experience the charm of Copland’s iconic ballet Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, followed by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with 18-time Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck. To close, the NSO presents the world premiere of Peter Boyer and Joseph Sohm’s American Mosaic, an NSO co-commission featuring stunning video imagery, powerful live narration, and quintessential American melodies to celebrate the land, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

Celebrate the land, cities, towns, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

John Morris Russell conductor

Be uplifted and inspired by a powerful new musical-visual work created by composer Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm. Stunning video imagery from across all 50 states, passages from Boyer’s quintessential American-themed orchestral music, plus live narration of powerful, relevant quotes from throughout American history will combine to celebrate the land, cities, towns, people and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

Celebrate the land, cities, towns, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

John Morris Russell conductor

Be uplifted and inspired by a powerful new musical-visual work created by composer Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm. Stunning video imagery from across all 50 states, passages from Boyer’s quintessential American-themed orchestral music, plus live narration of powerful, relevant quotes from throughout American history will combine to celebrate the land, cities, towns, people and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

Celebrate the land, cities, towns, people, and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

John Morris Russell conductor

Be uplifted and inspired by a powerful new musical-visual work created by composer Peter Boyer and photographer Joe Sohm. Stunning video imagery from across all 50 states, passages from Boyer’s quintessential American-themed orchestral music, plus live narration of powerful, relevant quotes from throughout American history will combine to celebrate the land, cities, towns, people and spirit of the United States for its 250th birthday.

Celebrate the American spirit with a concert that honors history, resilience, and the power of music to tell our nation's story.

Michael Butterman, Music Director

Celebrate the American spirit with a concert that honors history, resilience, and the power of music to tell our nation’s story. Peter Boyer’s American Mosaic, a newly commissioned work, weaves together images by renowned photographer Joe Sohm, music, and the voices of America in a powerful reflection on the nation’s past and future. The program concludes with William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, composed in 1934, a masterful fusion of African American spirituals and symphonic grandeur, bringing the season to a triumphant and deeply moving close.

PRE-CONCERT TALK

6:30-7:00PM

Shelley Conducts America at 250

Alexander Shelley, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano

RAVEN CHACON: New Work (West Coast Premiere)
GERSHWIN: Piano Concerto in F
PETER BOYER AND JOE SOHM: American Mosaic (West Coast Premiere)

Shelley Conducts America at 250

Alexander Shelley, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano

RAVEN CHACON: New Work (West Coast Premiere)
GERSHWIN: Piano Concerto in F
PETER BOYER AND JOE SOHM: American Mosaic (West Coast Premiere)

Shelley Conducts America at 250

Alexander Shelley, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano

RAVEN CHACON: New Work (West Coast Premiere)
GERSHWIN: Piano Concerto in F
PETER BOYER AND JOE SOHM: American Mosaic (West Coast Premiere)